AI: Does 'Smarter' Technology Make Us 'Dumber'?

Having recently suffered the shock, trauma & indignity of a violent home-invasion, the unwanted event added another very personal perspective to the rapidly approaching end of a tumultuous year for many.

One can only imagine just how much worse it has been for the innocent citizens who have suffered the violence, death & destruction caused by the brutal invasions and indiscriminate bombings in the current Ukraine/Russia & Israel/Hamas conflicts.

Please do not be overly-alarmed for us. Our family escaped relatively unscathed thanks to cool heads prevailing. What the traumatic event did do, however, was to have us actively question what was missing in our home-security infrastructure to ensure that such an event would not happen again.

What we recognized was that the upgrade to 'smarter' security technologies that we had installed had 'dumbed' us down to naively thinking that we were secure. Clearly we were not thinking deep enough! Or was it that we were not thinking at all? Was it that we were relying on fairly-recently installed upgrade technologies to be smarter than the criminals were upskilling their modus operandi? And, that we therefore stopped thinking?

Welcome to Issue 63 of 1idea.

In Issue 61 - AI: Explore POSITIVE Ideas To Put An End To The Horrors Of War - we explored the use of AI to search for factual data to provide a positive response and potential solutions to the theme of the Issue 61 article - solving the challenges of a world seemingly in crisis and chaos.

In today's Issue 63, on the back of our learnings from our own security shortfall experience, we will tap into the use of AI & Social Media to explore the idea that a reliance on new smart technologies should not be an excuse to forego the need for thinking and doing.

In fact, SMARTER technologies should be used to proactively & productively enhance our abilities to THINK, and to apply NEW IDEAS & INNOVATIONS to solving the problems and challenges of the world.. and our own challenges, of course!

To tickle your fancy, I suppose that I must first embarrassingly show my own attempts to master the use of AI (remembering that I have recently turned 69, now into my 70th year on the planet, and am a hopeless non-techie) and its integration into our own global plans. Herewith 3 AI-generated images (flaws and all) produced for a LinkedIn post series (click Linked-in Post image link above each pic for full post copy - which copy specifically refers to our proposed solution to the challenges of a world in crisis).

Linked-in Post image 1:

Linked-in Post image 2:

Linked-in Post image 3:

Our WISDOMS? DifferenceMakers? In Every City project - highlighted in the 3 posts above, is designed to give people the resources to think.

In order to think deeply about the crisis, chaos and disorder that seems to trouble so many, especially given the current high-profile media glare of two disturbing wars causing devastating death & destruction (Russia/Ukraine; Israel/Hamas).. and to put my own family's recent experience of a violent home invasion into perspective, I found these resources interesting and share them with you:

In Jordan Peterson - "Most People Learn This TOO LATE In Life" - he postulates that '..pursuing truth, confronting chaos, and aligning with the larger order in the world leads to personal growth, meaningful living, and positive outcomes' - source.

Says Jordan: 35:46 - 'There will come a time in your life where you have to make a very fine decision. It might be one that your life depends on, or the life of someone you love, or a relationship depends on, or your business depends upon, and you'll be torn apart at the point where you have to make that decision, and if you can't rely on yourself at that moment to make the right decision.. you could lose everything!'

Such was our experience in the face of the violent attackers who broke down the front door to our home (sounded like a bomb exploding) completely taking us by surprise over lunch.. and our decision to remain calm and gently talking to them, which calmed them down into taking what they wanted (TVs, cellphones, laptops, jewellery & cash) and leaving quickly before our security company arrived. All in all, a 7-minute ordeal.

Clearly, one cannot imagine the fear & trauma affect that the 7th October 2023 Hamas terrorist invasion of Israeli citizens and the consequent bombing of Gaza has on the innocent people so brutally affected.. an order of magnitude many thousands of times greater and more devastating than we experienced.

The angst experienced by many in the world, right now, is reflected in the question asked in the video of Jordan Peterson by Mary: - 39:44 - 'Wow I'm not alone. A lot of people feel this way, and hearing you explain this, and sitting through some of the speakers that we've had earlier, I had the feeling that this world (of chaos) is continuing.. like the chaos keeps coming, and it feels like.. overwhelming!'

'When I really think about the big picture of it, the complexity of it all, and the things that I will never understand.. whether it's financials, or AI, or all that the world is moving into, the dynamics of countries.. I'm shaking just talking about it.'

'My experience is almost like there's these islands of order.. I find that in my family.. I find that in a safe community - Mom and Dad and friends - but it's like I don't know if that's a woman's perspective of wow.. there's a lot going on out there.. and I'm just trying to like cling to my people and something that I understand. Is that a problem?'

I love Jordan's response - 41:14 - 'It is an existential reality that there's going to be more coming at you than you can manage and master. The question is how do you deal with that?'

His answers to the questions asked of him are well worth listening to.

In essence he prescribes that:

1. Telling the truth, particularly to yourself, is crucial for personal growth and decision-making.
2. Studying great stories from the past can provide a sense of connection and belonging in a chaotic world.
3. Confront obstacles with courage and faith.
4. Find strength in social community, and integrate your family into the broader community.
5. Choose a cause to passionately confront chaos in the world.
6. Pursue your true interests in life. It leads you to 'sacred and deep territory'. Uncovering the nature of being and finding meaning in life.
7. Develop a vision for your life. Consider where you want to be in five years and what you want in terms of education, career, time management, self-care, and services.

The above being totally aligned with what we encourage in our WISDOMS? DifferenceMakers? In Every City project. We'd love YOU to join us in this project.

Which leads me on to one of the most intriguing interviews I have heard online, between Piers Morgan and Jordan Peterson, who discuss the moral quandaries that many experience concerning the Israel/Hamas war - Piers Morgan vs Jordan Peterson on Israel-Hamas War And His 'Give 'Em Hell' Tweet

In the video Peterson says - 46:55 - 'You have a moral obligation to be optimistic about the future. It's a statement of faith. Just as you have an obligation to be courageous about the challenges that confront you in the present, and just as that's the best way of dealing with those challenges, your default attitude towards the future should be: "Bring it on. We can handle it." If that is your default at attitude, you're much more likely to be successful in your dealings with the future.'

'One of the things I've learned about classic religious or metaphysical faith is that a tremendous proportion of that is the faith - that is courage, right - the courage to confront the unknown in the future, with standing up straight with shoulders back, right with the presumption that, despite our flaws, we're intrinsically good, despite the misery in the world it's intrinsically good.. and that that's the relationship we should establish with it.'

Secondly - 48:04 - 'Part of the way that you face the future in a manner that makes of it the best it could be, is to do that responsibly.. to take responsibility for yourself, to put your life together, to tell the truth, to pursue high order aims, to take responsibility for your marital partner and vice versa, to do the same with your family, your local community, your town, your city. And that's your responsibility / identity, that nested social web of obligations.. that's your identity, and also that the meaning in your life is going to emerge as a consequence of shouldering that responsibility, the meaning, and the adventure in your life.'

'And so, confront the future with faith and courage and accept the responsibility that's commensurate with that, and that's the way you set the world straight. That's not a political solution.. that's a spiritual solution or a psychological solution.'

The extent of the moral quandary over the Israel/Hamas conflict is eloquently verbalized by these two academics - they agonize over sharing their views which give us more food for thought: The Moral Challenge of the Gaza War | Glenn Loury & John McWhorter | The Glenn Show

An interesting diversity of views on the Israel/Hamas conflict is contained in this Russell Brand video below - Andrew Tate vs Piers Morgan: My Reaction

Russell Brand prefaces this insightful video with: 'Just so you know what my personal opinion is.. Terrorism and the violent murder of people in order to pursue political goals is disgusting and appalling. The bombing of civilian populations is appalling. I don't know how we're going to navigate our way through this, and yet surely we must try together. As I always say.. if you have a particular spiritual, religious, ideological, or national allegiance, I respect that. One thing I've learned in the conversations I've had around this issue is, it's very difficult to change someone's mind if they have a particular allegiance to Judaism, or Israel, or Zionism, or a particular allegiance to Islam or Palestine.. (to change such someone's mind) is very unlikely and I would actually say - inappropriate - to try to tamper with people's feelings. And yet, we must somehow try to find a way to frame this issue that doesn't deny any possibility of a peaceful solution.'

Having said that, in this issue, '..we will tap into the use of AI & Social Media to explore the idea that a reliance on new smart technologies should not be an excuse to forego the need for thinking and doing.'.. and having shared some social media resources above that allow for an abundance of views & opinions, I order for you to frame your own views and potential future actions & ideas - I wonder how much use you have put AI to in helping to frame your views?

If not, I'd like to suggest that you access Google's Bard - https://bard.google.com/ - and ask these questions in the order below, as I have done (and let me know your experience in the comments below):

• 'what profound words can be used to highlight / describe the difference between people who strive to do good versus those who do bad / evil. Begin with "There are those in life who.."?'
• 'When it comes to analyzing those who do good versus those who do bad, what comparisons can be made in similar vein to compare animal nature versus human nature'?
• 'in similar vein compare animal intelligence versus human intelligence'
• 'in similar vein compare human intelligence to artificial intelligence'
• 'What is it about the human condition (human intelligence) that has people celebrating world sporting events with joy in stadiums around the world while at the same time in other parts of the world people are committing horrific acts of terrorism, violence, bombings that are killing and maiming civilian men, women & children.. and the elderly'

I am sure that you get the idea of how I use AI to get inputs on questions that I might have. I just love Bard's closing comment: 'Here are some additional thoughts on the matter:

• The human brain is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and evil. It is up to each individual to decide how they will use their brain.
• Humans are constantly evolving and changing. We are not born good or bad, but we are shaped by our experiences and the choices we make.
• We have the power to change the world for the better. It is up to us to use our intelligence, compassion, and creativity to create a more peaceful and just world.'

PRECISELY..!

Again, the above being totally aligned with what we encourage in our WISDOMS? DifferenceMakers? In Every City project. We'd love YOU to join us in this project.

Previous issues that focus on AI that you should deep dive into:

• Issue 61: AI: Explore POSITIVE Ideas To Put An End To The Horrors Of War
• Issue 60: AI: A Blessing or A Curse? YOU Decide!
• Issue 59: AI: We Have Seen The FUTURE.. and We LIKE It!
• Issue 58: AI: Show Me The Money!
• Issue 57: Creative AI Thinking - for new ideas, novel ideas & to improve raw ideas
• Issue 54: Why A.I. is too important to ignore. Do not wait until it is too late.
• Issue 52: A.I. vs. Old-Fashion Book Summary
• Issue 48: A.I. - an ABUNDANCE of IDEAS ..don't let A.I. pass YOU by (part 2)
• Issue 41: CORRUPTION is killing our world. Let's put AI to the task of stopping it.
• Issue 40. AI just became very real. Don't let this breakthrough idea pass YOU by.

If you're new to us it is recommended that you read issue 1: One Idea is All it Takes

About:?Trevor Nel is an 'ideas-generating machine' and co-founder of WISDOMS?. You can connect with WISDOMS? and become: 1. a PATRON and/or; 2. a PLAYER , and/or; 3. a PARTNER - follow each link for more info.

Next week:

Trevor Nel?is author of One Idea Is All It Takes and numerous publications & articles, including :

1. Another GREAT Day in Africa!
2. Confessions of a SERIAL Entrepreneur
3. Here's How To Be Well-Prepared For YOUR Cycles Of Success
4. Here's How YOU Can Make A Meaningful Difference In Other People's Lives
5. COMRADES Marathon: Metaphor For The Marathon Of Life
6. Riding the wild, wild River Of Life
7. Life Lessons Learnt as a Dusi Rat
8. Some simple life lessons learnt from 50 Midmar Miles

This post is brought to you by Trevor Nel co- developer of WISDOMS? DifferenceMakers? In Every City - https://lnkd.in/dABaNAcv - in collaboration with 1idea? - https://lnkd.in/dUytHMTj - the digital newsletter that explores the simple idea that just one idea can be all it takes to change YOUR entire life & business.

Coming soon.. to WISDOMS? DifferenceMakers? In Every City of the world: Preview the "Milliondollarize? Your Business Ideas"? masterclass - https://lnkd.in/d9Fkt72t - and learn how to turn YOUR ideas into profitable ventures. Discover the secrets to creating and executing million-dollar ideas in this exclusive masterclass, designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking a transformative experience.