In the 1980's when I read all the original Dune novels it seemed strange that the humans in Herbert's future world had banned computers. Starting in early 2020 it suddenly became obvious why he'd been worried enough to include that idea in his books: When it comes to prescience, Paul Atreides had nothing on Frank Herbert. I don't question the life-saving applications of computers in aviation and medicine, to name just two disciplines. But I also don't doubt their lethality when they're used to construct digital prisons.
Can you save people from themselves if they do not wish to be saved? No. It doesn't work with drugs or alcohol or food. It won't work with AI, either. It's the whole "lead a horse to water" idea, and in this context you're talking about people who have already leapt at the chance to slam the door on reality, as opposed to getting there through a long, slow process of self-destruction and denial.
As cool as it is to fantasize about turning my own fiction into a movie using AI, I haven't heard anything yet that makes me think AI will be anything other than a curse on humanity. As a species we've developed technical skills that are light years ahead of our ethical evolution. The moral pop quiz of 2020 proved that humanity isn't ready for prime time. Morally, too many of us are stuck in the Pliocene looking for victims to bash in the head with a club. A high-tech club with buttons and pretty lights, but still a club.
Some of us still treasure reality, though, and have the skills and willingness to live in it. As humans we have free will, and nothing we do is inevitable. Mountains, planets, tides: Those are metaphysical givens. Anything open to human choice is open to alternatives of our own making,
I would say that a bigger problem than VR is: Why do so many people want to immerse themselves in unreality?
Why have drug addictions soared in the West? Why have anxiety disorders soared? Why have so many people consigned the trusteeship of their lives to what happens on social media? Why do so many people dress themselves up to look like the victims of a horrible chemical accident, like The Joker in Batman?
As Samuel Johnson famously said: "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man."
In sum, I would say that a deep-rooted sickness in society drives people to reality-destroying things like VR, and that VR (and the others) then have the potential to make them even sicker.
Well, my fellow .......hmmmm. ok , forget that opening. Look, i grew up in the hippie era. or should we call it the Vietnam war era. Or the jfk era . Coming to Thailand 40 years ago, riding a motorcycle on dirt roads through villlages . Trying to ask directions. Trying to find a meal and place to stay . No cell phones, iPads, facebook. Nothing. Just out in the world.
IMO those who had that experience , the BC (before craziness ) experience . Not "connected" with some mysterious technology to a one world whatever it is . Free . And all the ups and downs that go with real reality . Those born AT (after technology) connected everyone to the Big Brother . With it or against it ..... those people never knew what existed before.
I am happy to assist anyone who really wants to break free. There WILL BE a withdrawel . Food will be provided . Just grab a shovel , find out what its like to be hot and tired .......... and then find the pleasure of a nice shower and some simple food.
Leave the fancy words and philosophies behind. They are NOT going to change the world . Shovels my friends. Bring shovels.
In the 1980's when I read all the original Dune novels it seemed strange that the humans in Herbert's future world had banned computers. Starting in early 2020 it suddenly became obvious why he'd been worried enough to include that idea in his books: When it comes to prescience, Paul Atreides had nothing on Frank Herbert. I don't question the life-saving applications of computers in aviation and medicine, to name just two disciplines. But I also don't doubt their lethality when they're used to construct digital prisons.
Can you save people from themselves if they do not wish to be saved? No. It doesn't work with drugs or alcohol or food. It won't work with AI, either. It's the whole "lead a horse to water" idea, and in this context you're talking about people who have already leapt at the chance to slam the door on reality, as opposed to getting there through a long, slow process of self-destruction and denial.
As cool as it is to fantasize about turning my own fiction into a movie using AI, I haven't heard anything yet that makes me think AI will be anything other than a curse on humanity. As a species we've developed technical skills that are light years ahead of our ethical evolution. The moral pop quiz of 2020 proved that humanity isn't ready for prime time. Morally, too many of us are stuck in the Pliocene looking for victims to bash in the head with a club. A high-tech club with buttons and pretty lights, but still a club.
Some of us still treasure reality, though, and have the skills and willingness to live in it. As humans we have free will, and nothing we do is inevitable. Mountains, planets, tides: Those are metaphysical givens. Anything open to human choice is open to alternatives of our own making,
I would say that a bigger problem than VR is: Why do so many people want to immerse themselves in unreality?
Why have drug addictions soared in the West? Why have anxiety disorders soared? Why have so many people consigned the trusteeship of their lives to what happens on social media? Why do so many people dress themselves up to look like the victims of a horrible chemical accident, like The Joker in Batman?
As Samuel Johnson famously said: "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man."
In sum, I would say that a deep-rooted sickness in society drives people to reality-destroying things like VR, and that VR (and the others) then have the potential to make them even sicker.
Well, my fellow .......hmmmm. ok , forget that opening. Look, i grew up in the hippie era. or should we call it the Vietnam war era. Or the jfk era . Coming to Thailand 40 years ago, riding a motorcycle on dirt roads through villlages . Trying to ask directions. Trying to find a meal and place to stay . No cell phones, iPads, facebook. Nothing. Just out in the world.
IMO those who had that experience , the BC (before craziness ) experience . Not "connected" with some mysterious technology to a one world whatever it is . Free . And all the ups and downs that go with real reality . Those born AT (after technology) connected everyone to the Big Brother . With it or against it ..... those people never knew what existed before.
I am happy to assist anyone who really wants to break free. There WILL BE a withdrawel . Food will be provided . Just grab a shovel , find out what its like to be hot and tired .......... and then find the pleasure of a nice shower and some simple food.
Leave the fancy words and philosophies behind. They are NOT going to change the world . Shovels my friends. Bring shovels.