A Life is a Life
Whether an American, a European, or an African life, a Russian or a Ukrainian life, a Palestinian or an Israeli life — any life. This assertion is so logically obvious and, at the same time, so emotionally contentious. Yet, especially every world leader should take it at heart. Beyond small-circle empathy Getting beyond this is Read the full article…
The Futility of War
Wars may have made some half-crazy sense in the past. Present-day wars are – without exception – entirely futile. I could well be a soldier, a fighter to the death. Also, if someone comes to kill me, I kill him. I’m not your regular pacifist. Nevertheless, soldiers are heroes for zeros. Wars are utterly futile. Read the full article…
Coach-bots Shouldn’t Make People Do Things
This is a first principle for Lisa: never to make a human being do anything ― not even by giving advice if anyhow possible. From this constraint, the thinking goes toward how Lisa can operate sensibly. It forces us to think creatively. What comes from inside makes you stronger. This is an AURELIS coaching principle Read the full article…
Compassion is the Intelligent Future
The only proper future of intelligence, whether natural or artificial, is Compassionate. Why? In my view, Compassion is the only way for a total civilization to be sustainable — thus, to grow and become more intelligent. Intelligence wants more of itself. Compassion also wants more of itself. Thus, Compassionate intelligence is a powerful self-enhancing combination. Read the full article…
The 999 + 1 Doors Principle
If all doors are closed to a beautiful space behind the wall, yours is most important. You should not look at the others to keep yours closed ― easier said than done. It’s innate to the human being to be one of the 1000. Historical herd mentality It’s probably a survival reflex ― therefore, Darwinian. Read the full article…
Will Lisa Bring More Work?
At any time, A.I. (including coach-bot Lisa) must support people in the diverse needs presently met by their work. From that ethical basis, we can consider the short and long term. It’s interesting in this regard to make a conceptual difference between work and job. New developments may simultaneously lead to fewer jobs and more Read the full article…
Universal Declaration of Human Values?
No, I won’t solve this problem now, especially since that’s impossible. Nevertheless, we must make valuable strides. How else are we going to see human-A.I. value alignment? One critical stride is the insight into how difficult it is to develop such a declaration ― at least in a sustainable way, even though it’s getting highly Read the full article…
When does A.I. Become Creative?
Soon enough. By creating new intelligence, we create something that will be creative by itself, and vice versa. From mere repetitions to new associations to the very unexpected. Continua These are not entirely distinct categories. There are possible continua in many ways, especially when working from the subconceptual level onwards ― such as in present-day Read the full article…
Committing to Neutral
This should be your decision. At least, it’s worth thinking it over. As always, if this text forms a concrete challenge for you, you might look for some excellent coaching or ask Lisa (soon). Neutral ‘Neutral’ means that it’s basically OKAY — whether good or bad at first sight. You may care for what happens, Read the full article…
Human-Centered or Ego-Centered A.I.?
‘Humanism’ is supposed to be human-centered. ‘Human-A.I. Value Alignment’ is supposed to be human-centered. Or is it ego-centered? Especially concerning (non-)Compassionate A.I., this is the crucial question that will make or break us. Unfortunately, this is intrinsically unclear to most people. Mere-ego versus total self See also The Big Mistake. This is not about ‘I’ Read the full article…
Good Acting ― Good Coaching
A good actor goes deep. A good coach goes deep. Both know what depth is about and can leverage it to the advantage of others. Coaching is not acting at the surface level. This means there is no pretension involved — only the real thing. A good coach is not a purveyor of instruments to Read the full article…
Jerusalem — City of God
This is meant to be(come) the city where people of all creeds can be together in Open Religion (see this category). No deeply religious insight, feeling, or motivation needs to be discarded. If you are religious, please try to deepen the feeling ― an endless direction. If a non-enemy of thy enemy can only be Read the full article…
Passion and Compassion
Com = together. Passion as any mental happening in which feelings and thoughts are unhindered. Background art by courtesy of my good friend Gary Conway, painter of Big Sur, California. About passion Passion is the fire that burns in the bush without destroying it. Othello’s wrath was not his passion, but only the anxiety that Read the full article…
Small-Circle versus Broad-Circle Empathy
Humans are made for a local environment ― the village as our world, not the world as a village. Nature never knew we would need to empathize with the other side of the world one day. Yet there is increasingly this need. Not only to tackle global problems. Of course, these problems exist and need Read the full article…
A.I. from Future to Now
While it’s challenging to imagine how future A.I. will look like, we can develop an abstract idea that helps us understand present-day urgencies. Of course, one day, the future will be a million years from now. However, for the purpose of this text, we can see it as something like a century from now. There Read the full article…
Neutrality as Art
This is the art of not taking sides in a conflict – big or small – and yet not being indifferent. Eternal shame In a world of looking for and creating ‘the enemy,’ many are continually keen on discerning which side anyone stands on. Almost inevitably, neutrality gets overrun this way. Not taking sides gets Read the full article…
Compassion is NOT the Surface
Compassion is profoundly challenging. It should not be confused with pity, empathy, or friendliness. Confusion concerning Compassion may lead to substantial mistakes. On top of this, the concept is vaguely used, like any profound concept. For my formalization, see Compassion, basically. Compassion is much more potent than any of the above. Compassion makes you strong! Read the full article…