In a world where evolving technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Genetic Intelligence (AGI) Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) and other applied sciences on the surface are meant to improve the capabilities, utility and the all together lives of human beings, it seems that when we have to take the ‘human’ element out of something- that ‘something’ loses some or most of its authenticity.
Humans want to make a perfect world, therefore, we aspire to build perfect systems. This is an impossible endeavor, obviously. That said, by our set of standards I’m sure you can google a few “perfect” creations that we have so arrogantly deemed as such. But, in regards to AI and its utility updates, this existent presents something different entirely. This is something new. Perfection achieved, in time?
AI, on its face, now, is simply a computer function that has the capacity to extract and access large volumes of preexisting information that’s housed on the World Wide Web. The likes of which were originally uploaded by people. The internet as we know it, consisting of 5 terabytes of political and cultural shit-posting, memes, pornography and networks within networks of information, for better or for worse, is inherently human.
As far as I’m aware, AI software like ChatGPT, or even similar art rendering softwares (Midjourney AI, etc..) does not yet have the ability to create for itself, but rather pull a “China” and rip off everything already existing and tweaking it to make their own. these STEM and rendering softwares are wholly inauthentic, which brings me back to my original point- can it do this, or that?
As I sit here writing my thoughts and looking for a flow or pattern that readers can pick up on, I think that in this raw edit- this very imperfect form- and I assume ChatGPT can probably binaurally come up with something a lot more beautiful and articulate to say. But, as we’ve established, it ain’t original work. Someone had to give it the idea and resources beforehand.
That’s the whole argument right there, in all of its simplicity. ChatGPT is not human, therefore, its words, renderings, and conclusions mean absolutely nothing. If we are to end up seeking the Oracle for advice, which, ironically, is something that we already inadvertently do- (it’s called Google) we must acknowledge the source of information as inspiration. If we ever get to the point where we are consulting Open AI to solve all of the world’s problems, we’ve already lost.
That’s actually what I’m saying- we’ve already lost, because we’ve already been doing that- since the beginning of humanity, actually. Before, it was the tribal elders, the town magistrate, the priest, the witch doctor, and now, technology.
“Hey, Siri?”, “Alexa”, “Okay, Google” …. “WebMD told me my headache indicates an inoperable brain tumor”
Human beings are highly sensitive to their own shortcomings, to their own weaknesses, which- as a side note, I believe- is a byproduct of living in nature (survival of the fittest, Darwinism, etc.). We’re self-conscious of our failures and weaknesses, all the while arrogant enough to assume that we have it all figured out. The inference of our acute awareness and vast knowledge of what’s going on around us in the world and in the universe beyond, and yet in this day and age, said knowledge is fed to us through a firehose via technology. We are a fallen society without it. To me, it’s kind of a double-standard. We’re great because of technology, or in spite of technology? I’m digressing.
Point is, I wrote this sitting next to a river as the wind blew through my balding scalp, (see- I bet ChatGPT wouldn’t be quirky enough to slide that in), had the epiphany, and I chose to write it down and share it with all of you. It took effort. That’s human. That’s art. That’s writing. That’s expression, and I don’t need a computer to do it for me.
Stick to what you’re good at, AI- doing my taxes. How about this, do my taxes for me and run your algorithm to provide a favorable outcome for me. You can help me figure out how to stick it to the IRS (satire, Deep State, I know you’re listening *wink* *wink*). As far as art, creation, self-expression, music, drama, and literature- everything that makes our culture what it is- it also makes us people. Human. Innate biological material. That cannot be simulated.
And when life does become simulated, augmented or fully integrated with technology, that’s when we will cease to exist as a people. I believe that’s when the world will end, if our world governments don’t destroy us all first in pursuit of their own self interests. It’s ironic what we’ve built, because we’re not meant to exist in that way, anyway. We’re not even meant to exist as we are now, for a plethora of reasons.
So, we continue on. Pushing ever-evolving tech to a point where we either ascend and become aliens that can access metaphysical powers that transcend space and time, or, we blow ourselves up. And we start over. Either way, Mother Nature starts over, with or without us on this telestial plain. She will survive. We may not.
In a nutshell, technology is incredible and truly a gift that’s enhanced our overall quality of life.
But, can ChatGPT do this? (see above)
Now it can, because I did it first.
Thanks for reading. Now, go and get inspired.