"We weren't meant to go on from here alone, we were meant to really be in paradise with one another.
What do we really have to know to create paradise for ourselves? I don't really know, I'm just on the path to discover it. And in fact, maybe that's all that anybody can be doing, is be pointed in the right direction."
I think it will be a long , long time before AI is capable of the levels of inspired thinking that humans are capable of. It has barely crawled out of it's womb. Who would expect a baby to save the world ?
Great that Suzanne has the wit to cause ripples, N'est ce pas ? Any more bril Human essayists out there ? Peace, Maurice
So what if instead of AI being the wondrous new human invention that enabled Earth's survival, a profound transformation in human collective consciousness was the seed? It is what is needed to rekindle our indigenous roots and profound sense of inter-being. The international illustrated spread of your essay responses, set to music and drumbeats, could do that, Suzanne
And it would be not one winner but a win for all of us. Collaboration not competition is the core of evolution.
That was fun! I liked how he incorporated you into it hehe.
It made me just ask AI straight out what we would have done to save the world. I've got my own ideas that are much different than this but fun anyways to see what AI thinks are our problems and how we came to solving them. :)
QUESTION:
It is now 2050. In 2024 we have saved the world. Please write an essay of what we did to do this and all the areas that needed saving and how. Thank you!
ChatGPT
Title: A Blueprint for Saving Our World: Reflections on the Global Efforts of 2024
Introduction:
In the year 2024, humanity faced a convergence of crises that threatened the very fabric of our existence. From environmental degradation and climate change to socio-economic disparities and geopolitical tensions, the challenges seemed insurmountable. However, through collective action, innovation, and unwavering determination, we managed to not only address these issues but also pave the way for a sustainable and thriving future. This essay reflects on the key areas that needed saving and the transformative measures implemented to safeguard our world.
Environmental Conservation and Climate Action:
One of the most pressing challenges of our time was the threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity demanded urgent attention. In response, nations around the world came together to enact ambitious climate policies, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, and investing in green infrastructure. Additionally, conservation efforts were intensified, with a focus on preserving crucial ecosystems like forests, oceans, and wetlands. Through reforestation projects, marine conservation initiatives, and sustainable land management practices, we were able to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect our planet's natural heritage.
Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation:
Addressing socio-economic disparities and eradicating poverty were integral components of our efforts to save the world. Sustainable development goals were adopted by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, aiming to promote inclusive growth, access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities for all. Investments in sustainable agriculture, microfinance programs, and vocational training initiatives empowered communities to lift themselves out of poverty while preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Furthermore, innovative technologies, such as mobile banking and renewable energy solutions, played a crucial role in expanding economic opportunities and improving livelihoods in remote and underserved regions.
Technology and Innovation:
Advancements in technology and innovation emerged as powerful tools in our quest to save the world. From renewable energy technologies to artificial intelligence and biotechnology, innovation drove progress across various sectors. Clean energy solutions, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and energy-efficient appliances, became more accessible and affordable, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, breakthroughs in agricultural biotechnology helped increase crop yields, enhance food security, and promote sustainable farming practices. Additionally, digital technologies facilitated communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, enabling communities to adapt to environmental changes and address emerging challenges effectively.
Global Cooperation and Diplomacy:
Perhaps the most critical aspect of our success in saving the world was the spirit of global cooperation and diplomacy that prevailed. Recognizing that many of the challenges we faced were transnational in nature, nations set aside their differences and worked together towards common goals. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, provided a framework for collective action and accountability. Moreover, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and grassroots movements played a crucial role in mobilizing resources, fostering dialogue, and building partnerships to address global challenges comprehensively.
Conclusion:
The year 2024 marked a turning point in human history, where we faced unprecedented challenges and rose to the occasion with courage, ingenuity, and solidarity. By prioritizing environmental conservation, sustainable development, technological innovation, and global cooperation, we were able to save our world from the brink of collapse and set course for a brighter future. As we reflect on our journey, let us remain committed to the principles of stewardship, equity, and resilience, ensuring that future generations inherit a planet that is healthy, prosperous, and thriving.
I read this piece on AI with interest and a bit of a sinking heart. The AI models were all trained by taking the work of creatives - artists and writers, mostly - without any kind of compensation or acknowledgement. Are we ceding our humanity to machines to dream and imagine (then write and paint) for us? Would we, as thinking, feeling (and flawed) human beings really welcome a world where AI told us how to interact?
I do believe that technology can help us solve some of the problems we currently face, and AI may very well help us to search for and find solutions, but at the moment it's mostly threatening the livelihoods of the very creative people whose work was stolen by corporations in order to train their algorithms.
With nothing but respect for your friend Ram, where is he in this piece beyond the initial request? Is this his vision, or does it belong to the machine (or the corporation that programmed it)? Wouldn't you rather know what HE thinks? You'll find that literary journals and publications are starting to specify "Human-created content only" and I think, as a creative professional, that's the view I support.
Interesting essay, but I have to ask: is it fair for a response written by AI to win an essay contest??? Also, not surprising that AI would take a pro AI stance! Perhaps it's just biding its time, earning our trust until it unleashes its powers against us. After all, if you really want to end the destructive forces behind human-induced climate change, guess who you'd start with? :)
I’m in the tech-won’t-save-us camp. As Audrey Lorde said, The master’s tools can’t tear down the master’s house. It’s interesting to note that AI, being trained on existing writing (ie, the past), is incapable of the sort of innovative leaps of thinking that only humans are capable of, and that we most need now.
"We weren't meant to go on from here alone, we were meant to really be in paradise with one another.
What do we really have to know to create paradise for ourselves? I don't really know, I'm just on the path to discover it. And in fact, maybe that's all that anybody can be doing, is be pointed in the right direction."
- Suzanne Taylor, The Cosmic Fuel Pump, 1983 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic3y-huXaHw
Thanks for continuing to point us towards paradise, Sue :-)
I think it will be a long , long time before AI is capable of the levels of inspired thinking that humans are capable of. It has barely crawled out of it's womb. Who would expect a baby to save the world ?
Great that Suzanne has the wit to cause ripples, N'est ce pas ? Any more bril Human essayists out there ? Peace, Maurice
So what if instead of AI being the wondrous new human invention that enabled Earth's survival, a profound transformation in human collective consciousness was the seed? It is what is needed to rekindle our indigenous roots and profound sense of inter-being. The international illustrated spread of your essay responses, set to music and drumbeats, could do that, Suzanne
And it would be not one winner but a win for all of us. Collaboration not competition is the core of evolution.
That was fun! I liked how he incorporated you into it hehe.
It made me just ask AI straight out what we would have done to save the world. I've got my own ideas that are much different than this but fun anyways to see what AI thinks are our problems and how we came to solving them. :)
QUESTION:
It is now 2050. In 2024 we have saved the world. Please write an essay of what we did to do this and all the areas that needed saving and how. Thank you!
ChatGPT
Title: A Blueprint for Saving Our World: Reflections on the Global Efforts of 2024
Introduction:
In the year 2024, humanity faced a convergence of crises that threatened the very fabric of our existence. From environmental degradation and climate change to socio-economic disparities and geopolitical tensions, the challenges seemed insurmountable. However, through collective action, innovation, and unwavering determination, we managed to not only address these issues but also pave the way for a sustainable and thriving future. This essay reflects on the key areas that needed saving and the transformative measures implemented to safeguard our world.
Environmental Conservation and Climate Action:
One of the most pressing challenges of our time was the threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity demanded urgent attention. In response, nations around the world came together to enact ambitious climate policies, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, and investing in green infrastructure. Additionally, conservation efforts were intensified, with a focus on preserving crucial ecosystems like forests, oceans, and wetlands. Through reforestation projects, marine conservation initiatives, and sustainable land management practices, we were able to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect our planet's natural heritage.
Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation:
Addressing socio-economic disparities and eradicating poverty were integral components of our efforts to save the world. Sustainable development goals were adopted by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, aiming to promote inclusive growth, access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities for all. Investments in sustainable agriculture, microfinance programs, and vocational training initiatives empowered communities to lift themselves out of poverty while preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Furthermore, innovative technologies, such as mobile banking and renewable energy solutions, played a crucial role in expanding economic opportunities and improving livelihoods in remote and underserved regions.
Technology and Innovation:
Advancements in technology and innovation emerged as powerful tools in our quest to save the world. From renewable energy technologies to artificial intelligence and biotechnology, innovation drove progress across various sectors. Clean energy solutions, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and energy-efficient appliances, became more accessible and affordable, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, breakthroughs in agricultural biotechnology helped increase crop yields, enhance food security, and promote sustainable farming practices. Additionally, digital technologies facilitated communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, enabling communities to adapt to environmental changes and address emerging challenges effectively.
Global Cooperation and Diplomacy:
Perhaps the most critical aspect of our success in saving the world was the spirit of global cooperation and diplomacy that prevailed. Recognizing that many of the challenges we faced were transnational in nature, nations set aside their differences and worked together towards common goals. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, provided a framework for collective action and accountability. Moreover, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and grassroots movements played a crucial role in mobilizing resources, fostering dialogue, and building partnerships to address global challenges comprehensively.
Conclusion:
The year 2024 marked a turning point in human history, where we faced unprecedented challenges and rose to the occasion with courage, ingenuity, and solidarity. By prioritizing environmental conservation, sustainable development, technological innovation, and global cooperation, we were able to save our world from the brink of collapse and set course for a brighter future. As we reflect on our journey, let us remain committed to the principles of stewardship, equity, and resilience, ensuring that future generations inherit a planet that is healthy, prosperous, and thriving.
This was a fun read! Thanks Suzanne and Ram 💕🙏
I wanted to ask: are the entries to the competition going to be published here on Substack?
If yes, where and when?
I read this piece on AI with interest and a bit of a sinking heart. The AI models were all trained by taking the work of creatives - artists and writers, mostly - without any kind of compensation or acknowledgement. Are we ceding our humanity to machines to dream and imagine (then write and paint) for us? Would we, as thinking, feeling (and flawed) human beings really welcome a world where AI told us how to interact?
I do believe that technology can help us solve some of the problems we currently face, and AI may very well help us to search for and find solutions, but at the moment it's mostly threatening the livelihoods of the very creative people whose work was stolen by corporations in order to train their algorithms.
With nothing but respect for your friend Ram, where is he in this piece beyond the initial request? Is this his vision, or does it belong to the machine (or the corporation that programmed it)? Wouldn't you rather know what HE thinks? You'll find that literary journals and publications are starting to specify "Human-created content only" and I think, as a creative professional, that's the view I support.
Interesting essay, but I have to ask: is it fair for a response written by AI to win an essay contest??? Also, not surprising that AI would take a pro AI stance! Perhaps it's just biding its time, earning our trust until it unleashes its powers against us. After all, if you really want to end the destructive forces behind human-induced climate change, guess who you'd start with? :)
ps And I believe you are correct in knowing that a good enough question is as important as any answer, especially when trickster humour is involved!
I’m in the tech-won’t-save-us camp. As Audrey Lorde said, The master’s tools can’t tear down the master’s house. It’s interesting to note that AI, being trained on existing writing (ie, the past), is incapable of the sort of innovative leaps of thinking that only humans are capable of, and that we most need now.
Check out ShaMama in the Boardroom where I am more encouraged to express my vision for the right to Be who we are in work and life.