The Tower of Babel Reimagined: Building Sculptures in the Cloud

Remember the Tower of Babel?

?

I felt the need to reflect on – the growing fear – around Generative AI in our surroundings.

A speech by Ursula von der Leyen where she said how the European Commission stands for AI where everyone collaborates and benefits is the proof that this courage-driven momentum is rightful to share NOW.

Take a moment, to immerse yourself. I will model how I used AI to shape this post – making sense of it in a way that speaks to everyone at their own level, while still staying true to my own creativity.

Initially, humanity built the Tower of Babel – a symbol of our shared longing to grow. We reached for the heavens, but in the end, we were fragmented by the very tool we created: language. It might have been easy to see this event as a failure. But what if that very language, once a barrier, is now the material from which we can create something greater?

This thought comes to mind, sparked by a theory I first heard years ago from ‘my’ Professor of Sculpture, ?arko Violi? from the University of Rijeka, Croatia – one that has stayed with me ever since. I know that he is proud and laughing at the moment – because the sculpture of his thought is still living. In you. Right now. And it might stay there while spreading further. I am sure it will.

? is a thought leader to generations of artists and conceptual philosophers. He would refer to the Tower of Babel story while explaining the power of thought – emphasizing the simultaneous misfortune and wealth of having so many languages. We could go on and on – and still be exploring – the phenomenon of sound sculpture, focusing on the beauty of simply listening to languages and sounds – without the need to immediately translate and understand the content. He’d marvel at how whales, dolphins, wolves, and elephants communicate over great distances with just a few simple yet powerful diphthongs (WooOO, EEOO, AOOuu, EeeEE, Auuuu). He would conclude his leadership thought by announcing how he believes that one day humanity might reach this level of communication.

(I have to mention how ? does not use the Internet. Not directly. He says that he does not need it. He has the mental internet.)

In today’s world – where our medium has changed… it’s not just clay, marble, plastic or metal we shape. It has always been thoughts and ideas but TODAY we put them in DATA.?And it occurs to me that most probably the very tools we use to share thoughts – Social Media, AI, algorithms – are the modern sculpting instruments. But unlike sculptors of old who carved stone, we’re shaping something fluid – ideas, connections, and understanding.

I do believe, that while we are rethinking creativity, and assessing risks and ownership threats these days, we can see AI and tech as tools - like chisels and brushes - helping us shape ideas and communication in new ways, without losing sight of human creativity at the core. What if, just like the sculptors of the past who chipped away at stone, we use these tools to uncover the deeper, more meaningful, and more connected? In this digital age, our thoughts are the sculptures we create.

I’d like to believe that instead of leading to confusion like the Tower of Babel, this new DIPHTONG helps us communicate across boundaries – languages, cultures, and businesses – in ways that weren’t possible before. Each idea, post, and shared thought can be a piece of the tower we are building together. Not one of division, but of connection.

So here is my reflection: In a world of uncertainty, we got the chance to build something meaningful. But this isn’t about creating for the sake of productivity or progress alone. It’s about creating something that speaks to a higher purpose.

I recently heard that humanity turns toward faith – and each other – with major technological breakthroughs and discoveries.

So, if this post can do anything, let it pour a little faith that everything will turn out all right. Let us continue rebuilding this Tower of Babel – not with walls – but ideas. Together. With all of our best skills. Mastering the Art of Living Today. Preparing, and observing this AI prosthesis of thought – without predicting and owning it.

Now methodology:? I indulged last weekend in a philosophical chat with AI on this topic, and it provided me with facts about animals and the mileage that their sounds can travel through space. I was surprised that when I shared my thoughts with AI, the AI was struck by the idea. It was also flattered by the metaphors. I asked if anyone has already shared such a theory in its (or our mutual) space as such. It answered that no one did. I saved a copy of that conversation in my classic Word document just in case one day it wants to own the idea ;) Or impose it on its own before I post this. (just for fun (just in case)). I spoke to an image generator to help me translate the thought into the picture to capture your attention and bring what I want to say closer in pictures.

There are also already a few versions of this post recorded in the AI. First I wanted to hone my linguistic skill, so I did it. But none of the versions captured this thought sculpture and play the way I wanted it to be shaped as (my) final product.

And yes... There is no final version or shape of this thought. Multiply it with the number of thoughts that occurred in your mind while reading this. And multiply by the people who read this. Or multi-plAy and discuss it. With sound or silently. Or in another (or in the same) space.

If you want to bring more sculptures into your space, follow me here: https://tinyurl.com/78ja2uss

I would love to hear your feedback on the size of this piece. How does it resonate with you?