I feel like organic technologies such as psychedelics, or meditative practices, will always give greater insights into consciousness than our interactions with AI - but I remain open to possibility.
I’ve been thinking deeply on all these same points for years now, Scott. Great piece.
I think many shy from exploring this because of a (primarily western) value that production = worthiness. So, there’s a crippling “absence of work” fear. But, like the pandemic, societally we’ll be forced to adapt.
I believe with love as our primary driver, and with everything being energy, AI included, this is almost certain to be a net positive.
I’m open to being wrong about that, and like anything it may swing the other way first, but we’re in ascension ✨
I think you’re totally right about why ppl don’t like this topic. I think what is challenging for many people is seeing love as a primary substrate driving experience when things in their life are seemingly getting turned upside down. Having seen this play out so many times with others and in my own life, it feels like an expected part of the process. Almost like a requisite right of passage for many. I think as more people go through the experience it will hopefully results in a smoother passage for those after them!
Scott, genuinely enjoyed this, and I nodded my way through almost all of it. As always, I suspect we over-estimate the short term effects and under-estimate the long term ones. AI has to do a lot of job replacement to make net-labor a massive issue, but there will be pockets of extreme disruption -- my window on things suggests this is happening in quite a few coding positions.
My "... and thus" is "... so how do we build a container to catch the disrupted." That, to me, is where the interesting work is right now. Are we ready for a generational dark night of the soul?
I believe the development of AI is attributed to an elevated consciousness, and everything we create, including AI, stems from our consciousness. As soul beings inhabiting human bodies, our creations, whether through AI or other expressive tools, reflect our consciousness. We can embody even robots. While it isn’t inherently risky, complications arise when individuals become entangled in the illusion of an “AI ego” more advanced than the human mind. We can’t control our evolution by controlling it through mind or AI. It’s letting go of that control.
Well said. Consciousness is the core substrate of it all. Good call out on the core illusion. I do think many ppl who spend a lot of time worrying and thinking about this are living in a ego dominated existence, hence the focus on survival. I think your suggest to let go is on the money, tho prob hard for many
one optimistic outcome I see (and hope for) is the use of AI tools to support our collective ability to hold space for ourselves and one another. rather than relying solely on the once-a-week therapy session, folks who skate at the surface of inner work will have more accessible tools to go deeper without having to commit meaningful time to experimenting across modalities
for example: it'll make approaches like IFS and somatic inquiry far more easily accessible and serve as a compliment to sessions with practitioners
I've seen a few apps like this and agree there's very cool potential! One key, often unrecognized element that I think A.I. will have its work cut out for with space holding is the power of nervous system atunement that is available when working with a facilitator. This state of safety that is naturally created happens subconsciously for most people and is very powerful ingredient for accessing things. That being said, I think there's probably a lot of progress that can come in the absence of it which you see in individual work
definitely agree with the level of attunement & safety that naturally arises from working with a skilled practitioners
thoughtfully designed voice AI can play a big role here – I've been testing Thyself (https://www.thyself.ai/), a tool that supports somatic inquiry and have been surprised at how easeful it feels to settle into a state of surrender while talking to it. check it out if you haven't come across it yet :)
Scott, Imagine if at the start of your journey, you were directed to exactly the right books and information that helped you understand what was going on.
AI can be very beneficial here in it's ability to assess how a person percieves their world and the type of information that would help them grow.
I've been working on a project that does this. We use AI/LLMs, Psychometrics, Developmental Psychology & Spirituality to help people grow.
Nice! Sounds useful. I think whether its through AI or just stumbling into something, the student encounters the information that is needed, as needed. The intelligence of the universe works perfectly. I think the more difficult part is actually being able to see and recognize that early on
On your second point, I’m hoping that AI will also unclench the primacy of “work” as the central value in our culture. People will have to find meaning outside of work, and that’ll be healthy.
And in doing so, we might elevate our ambition above only economic flourishing (or techno flourishing)… to a broader human flourishing.
I'm all for that! I think it's a real possibility. It'd be amazing if more people could align their efforts towards contribution that felt like play without such an economic concern or interest.
I 100% on the estimation tendencies. I also think the generational dark night of the soul is going to be super interesting to see what unfolds. I don’t think the rise in consciousness will happen without some major transformational conflict. Hopefully many ppl who’ve been through the hard shift before will be there to support and ease it for others! Appreciate the ideas shared here Dave
Thanks for finding a different way to discuss this difficult issue. It is a complex issue. You have to start somewhere. It is not a black and white issue as this technology is here to stay. For me, it is a question of what we value and how we use the technology as it relates to those values. Though we may disagree with what the bulk of people are doing and thinking in this area, it does not mean there cannot be a parallel movement on the “fringe” of makers and creatives working and thinking differently with these tools. 🙏😊☀️
I started drafting something about AI the other day and never finished so I would post here as a reply to this post. In short I disagree with your conclusions about replacing jobs in those industries wherever a human is still needed in the loop. I think that is most cases. At the end of the day the LLM (or other AI) need specifications and someone to do something with those outputs; be it argue a legal filing in court, write a law, a prescription, etc. I think people still want a human doctor, lawyer, whatever to review and ok even if much of the intake, diagnosis etc. is automated with LLM or ML. The exception may be visual arts, where the need for human fashion models is no longer required. Commercial artists even there I could see interesting ways to go with the right protections and respect for creator content - such as book covers licensed to a large number of random designs in the style of an artist rather than a single image - creating collector item niche interests and so on. Similarly with regard to the New York Times lawsuit that may derail ChatGPT as the early frontrunner, at the end of the day a language engine is not going to reduce the need for a live reporter to chase facts, stories and interact with humans even if it helps them translate their notes into file much greater quantities of copy. AI is probably one of the few techs I am optimistic about in potential. Right now they are still figuring it out, but it will likely have some applicability across the spectrum. Respectfully!
I almost see it the opposite 🙃… we may prefer AI lawyers and doctors, if the quality of higher (and cost lower). Yes, for now AI needs review, but not forever.
On the other side, since there will so much AI-art created, the market will drop to 0 and the only art we’ll care about is art created by other humans.
But hey, I’m just a random guy on a SubStack comment thread…
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I definitely don't think AI will replace all jobs with a human. Sorry for any confusion though I don't think the text reads that way. I think though that many will be require change and some be displaced of which I know people this has already happened too
"It’s not exactly a fun topic to discuss, but I suspect many people’s current jobs will be replaced by A.I." is the quote from your post that I responded to. maybe it just reads that way to me.
I think I get it. Sorry I did not think/intend my input to be contradictory to what I read the post's central point. Yes, I've heard some voice actors and others as you mention are getting replaced fast with AI.
I'm not sure.
I feel like organic technologies such as psychedelics, or meditative practices, will always give greater insights into consciousness than our interactions with AI - but I remain open to possibility.
I don't disagree. I'm not sure either!
I’ve been thinking deeply on all these same points for years now, Scott. Great piece.
I think many shy from exploring this because of a (primarily western) value that production = worthiness. So, there’s a crippling “absence of work” fear. But, like the pandemic, societally we’ll be forced to adapt.
I believe with love as our primary driver, and with everything being energy, AI included, this is almost certain to be a net positive.
I’m open to being wrong about that, and like anything it may swing the other way first, but we’re in ascension ✨
I think you’re totally right about why ppl don’t like this topic. I think what is challenging for many people is seeing love as a primary substrate driving experience when things in their life are seemingly getting turned upside down. Having seen this play out so many times with others and in my own life, it feels like an expected part of the process. Almost like a requisite right of passage for many. I think as more people go through the experience it will hopefully results in a smoother passage for those after them!
Scott, genuinely enjoyed this, and I nodded my way through almost all of it. As always, I suspect we over-estimate the short term effects and under-estimate the long term ones. AI has to do a lot of job replacement to make net-labor a massive issue, but there will be pockets of extreme disruption -- my window on things suggests this is happening in quite a few coding positions.
My "... and thus" is "... so how do we build a container to catch the disrupted." That, to me, is where the interesting work is right now. Are we ready for a generational dark night of the soul?
Interesting perspective. I would love to hear more about your ideas on a “container to catch the disrupted.” That is a lovely idea. 🤔😊🌻
I believe the development of AI is attributed to an elevated consciousness, and everything we create, including AI, stems from our consciousness. As soul beings inhabiting human bodies, our creations, whether through AI or other expressive tools, reflect our consciousness. We can embody even robots. While it isn’t inherently risky, complications arise when individuals become entangled in the illusion of an “AI ego” more advanced than the human mind. We can’t control our evolution by controlling it through mind or AI. It’s letting go of that control.
Well said. Consciousness is the core substrate of it all. Good call out on the core illusion. I do think many ppl who spend a lot of time worrying and thinking about this are living in a ego dominated existence, hence the focus on survival. I think your suggest to let go is on the money, tho prob hard for many
“We can’t control our evolution by controlling it through mind or AI. It’s letting go of that control.” Well said! Quite brilliant actually. 🙏😊
one optimistic outcome I see (and hope for) is the use of AI tools to support our collective ability to hold space for ourselves and one another. rather than relying solely on the once-a-week therapy session, folks who skate at the surface of inner work will have more accessible tools to go deeper without having to commit meaningful time to experimenting across modalities
for example: it'll make approaches like IFS and somatic inquiry far more easily accessible and serve as a compliment to sessions with practitioners
I've seen a few apps like this and agree there's very cool potential! One key, often unrecognized element that I think A.I. will have its work cut out for with space holding is the power of nervous system atunement that is available when working with a facilitator. This state of safety that is naturally created happens subconsciously for most people and is very powerful ingredient for accessing things. That being said, I think there's probably a lot of progress that can come in the absence of it which you see in individual work
definitely agree with the level of attunement & safety that naturally arises from working with a skilled practitioners
thoughtfully designed voice AI can play a big role here – I've been testing Thyself (https://www.thyself.ai/), a tool that supports somatic inquiry and have been surprised at how easeful it feels to settle into a state of surrender while talking to it. check it out if you haven't come across it yet :)
I’ve come across this recently. Really cool idea!
This is a fascinating subject Scott, thank you!
James Mahu offers some amazing and plausible insights about AI and Human Consciousness here:
https://moci.life/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Copernicus_Book_v7_2_IA.pdf
Wow. A casual 862 pages. I will check out. Any particular sections or ideas stand out to you
Thanks Scott,
It really is storytelling, so not easy to hunt 'n peck without the background info.
Take the day off, feet up and immerse yourself in the possibility.
I have been studying and using James Mahu's materials for about 15 years now and never faulted it!
Cheers,
Rick
Scott, Imagine if at the start of your journey, you were directed to exactly the right books and information that helped you understand what was going on.
AI can be very beneficial here in it's ability to assess how a person percieves their world and the type of information that would help them grow.
I've been working on a project that does this. We use AI/LLMs, Psychometrics, Developmental Psychology & Spirituality to help people grow.
Nice! Sounds useful. I think whether its through AI or just stumbling into something, the student encounters the information that is needed, as needed. The intelligence of the universe works perfectly. I think the more difficult part is actually being able to see and recognize that early on
Yes, the universe works perfectly and there's a question weather anything needs to be done at all.
Here, love is the answer. We eventually do our dharma out of love not because we're trying to change anything.
💯
On your second point, I’m hoping that AI will also unclench the primacy of “work” as the central value in our culture. People will have to find meaning outside of work, and that’ll be healthy.
And in doing so, we might elevate our ambition above only economic flourishing (or techno flourishing)… to a broader human flourishing.
I'm all for that! I think it's a real possibility. It'd be amazing if more people could align their efforts towards contribution that felt like play without such an economic concern or interest.
Agreed. We'd have to accept the range of outcomes, like a bell curve. E.g.
- Some might do nothing with economic needs met
- Some might pursue selfish or status-building activities
- Some might pursue higher virtues or fulfilling activities
- and so on
Not sure our leaders could ever stomach the possibility of this range though!
I 100% on the estimation tendencies. I also think the generational dark night of the soul is going to be super interesting to see what unfolds. I don’t think the rise in consciousness will happen without some major transformational conflict. Hopefully many ppl who’ve been through the hard shift before will be there to support and ease it for others! Appreciate the ideas shared here Dave
Thanks for finding a different way to discuss this difficult issue. It is a complex issue. You have to start somewhere. It is not a black and white issue as this technology is here to stay. For me, it is a question of what we value and how we use the technology as it relates to those values. Though we may disagree with what the bulk of people are doing and thinking in this area, it does not mean there cannot be a parallel movement on the “fringe” of makers and creatives working and thinking differently with these tools. 🙏😊☀️
I started drafting something about AI the other day and never finished so I would post here as a reply to this post. In short I disagree with your conclusions about replacing jobs in those industries wherever a human is still needed in the loop. I think that is most cases. At the end of the day the LLM (or other AI) need specifications and someone to do something with those outputs; be it argue a legal filing in court, write a law, a prescription, etc. I think people still want a human doctor, lawyer, whatever to review and ok even if much of the intake, diagnosis etc. is automated with LLM or ML. The exception may be visual arts, where the need for human fashion models is no longer required. Commercial artists even there I could see interesting ways to go with the right protections and respect for creator content - such as book covers licensed to a large number of random designs in the style of an artist rather than a single image - creating collector item niche interests and so on. Similarly with regard to the New York Times lawsuit that may derail ChatGPT as the early frontrunner, at the end of the day a language engine is not going to reduce the need for a live reporter to chase facts, stories and interact with humans even if it helps them translate their notes into file much greater quantities of copy. AI is probably one of the few techs I am optimistic about in potential. Right now they are still figuring it out, but it will likely have some applicability across the spectrum. Respectfully!
I almost see it the opposite 🙃… we may prefer AI lawyers and doctors, if the quality of higher (and cost lower). Yes, for now AI needs review, but not forever.
On the other side, since there will so much AI-art created, the market will drop to 0 and the only art we’ll care about is art created by other humans.
But hey, I’m just a random guy on a SubStack comment thread…
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I definitely don't think AI will replace all jobs with a human. Sorry for any confusion though I don't think the text reads that way. I think though that many will be require change and some be displaced of which I know people this has already happened too
"It’s not exactly a fun topic to discuss, but I suspect many people’s current jobs will be replaced by A.I." is the quote from your post that I responded to. maybe it just reads that way to me.
I see. My perspective is that the broad term many and all humans jobs are very different
I think I get it. Sorry I did not think/intend my input to be contradictory to what I read the post's central point. Yes, I've heard some voice actors and others as you mention are getting replaced fast with AI.
All good man!