Super-A.I. is not a Literal Idiot.
Some see danger in future A.I.’s lacking common sense ― thereby interpreting ‘human commands’ literally and giving what is asked instead of what is wanted. This says more about humans than about the A.I. Two examples One person needing paperclips may ask an A.I. to produce paperclips as efficiently and effectively as possible. The A.I. Read the full article…
Does Anxiety Dictate Society?
Unfortunately, it does so to a considerable degree all over the world. Much of what seems barely understandable becomes clear from this viewpoint. For instance: Why bullying is and remains so rampant at schools, organizations, politics, religious environments, etc. Why many people use their precious voting rights to vote against their own interests ― no Read the full article…
The Real God
Yes, I know. But it’s time we get to religious adulthood, isn’t it? Even then, there’s a long way to go, so let’s start moving. You don’t have to follow me if it makes you feel bad. Please follow yourself and enjoy the journey. I can only invite you. We might meet each other eventually. Read the full article…
Containing Compassion in A.I.
This is utterly vital to humankind ― arguably the most crucial of our still-young existence as a species. If we don’t bring this to a good end, future A.I. will remember us as an oddity. Please read first about Compassion, basically. Or even better, you might read some blogs about empathy and Compassion. Or even Read the full article…
Lisa in Times of Suicide Danger
Can A.I.-video-coach-bot Lisa prevent suicide or bring someone to it? The question needs to be looked upon broadly and openly. Yesterday, a Belgian person committed suicide after long conversations with a chatbot. Doubtlessly, once in a while, some coach-bot will be accused of having brought someone closer to suicide. Such accusations cannot be prevented, even Read the full article…
Shall we Put A.I. on Hold?
Now and then, the admonition arises to put A.I. – or part of it – on hold to take some breath and think about possible dangers. There are pros and cons to this pause button. Doubtlessly, A.I. is challenging, as is any disruptive technology. A.I. can disrupt on steroids. It’s not just about automation ― Read the full article…
In-Depth Philanthropy
Specific characteristics of human depth-related projects make them more challenging as well as more important for philanthropic cooperation. Doing good isn’t easy. It’s certainly not as easy as it frequently seems. Donating to good causes doesn’t necessarily lead to a better world, especially if the main drive is little more than a warm feeling. This Read the full article…
Giving Peace a Chance
In this video, I bring you some AURELIS-congruent ideas about peace, on the occasion of World Peace Day 2022. [animated video – 13:18′] If you have feedback, please let us know. Here is the full written text. Hi, my name is Jean-Luc Mommaerts. I am a physician with a Ph.D. in Medicine and a master’s degree Read the full article…
Eco-AURELIS
AURELIS is about inner growth. Therefore, it is a ‘green project.’ Healing oneself and healing the planet is the same. As a project, AURELIS is about being aware of this. This is about how green is your mind. This is about sustainability from the inside out. This is about how AURELIS can help or may Read the full article…
Agents and Expected Rewards
This is a story from expectation to motivation. Any motivation is eventually the expectation of ‘reward,’ be it a concrete one or more abstract; be it deeply value-based or more superficial. The simple case looks like conditioning. You may read first about what agents are. An agent acts upon a reward by learning from it Read the full article…
More about Rewards (also in A.I.)
A reward is a nudge – with more or less lasting result – into some preferred direction. Anything can be experienced as a reward. Thinking about it as a pattern within a broader pattern is clarifying. Pattern recognition and completion (PRC) Seeing rewards in the context of PRC, a reward is always just a part Read the full article…
Rewards or Value?
Are people driven more by direct rewards or broader value? Should A.I. be driven rather by one or the other? What about end values? Zero-sum values These are nothing but the sum of individual rewards. For instance, one earns tokens on several timesteps. The eventual zero-sum value is the sum of all tokens earned ― Read the full article…
What is an Agent?
An agent is an entity that takes decisions and acts upon them. That is where the clarity ends. Are you an agent? The answer depends on the perspective you decide to take. Since the answer also depends on who is seen as the taker of this decision, the proper perspective becomes less obvious from the Read the full article…
Moral Injury
Moral injury overlaps pretty much with PTSD. The difference lies mainly in ‘moral.’ The injury sprouts from an existential loss of ethical trust. Can people (in general or any individual) still be seen as ‘good?’ Moral injury comes with moral sensitivity. This comes with cognitive and emotional complexity, making human beings more prone to moral Read the full article…
The Case of Cancer of the Prostate
The influence of the mind on cancer needs to be treated cautiously. In both directions, one should avoid wrong impressions stemming from personal/cultural biases rather than science. Also, one should respect the present-day state of scientific knowledge. Will the yet unknown be filled by the ‘bodyless mind’ or the ‘mindless body’? See also: Psychological impact Read the full article…
Are Coronary Stents Placebos?
Only one experimental study has been done to answer this question ― pretty positively in many cases. Meanwhile, much evidence (without placebo groups) shows that coronary stents are of little use in cases of stable angina pectoris. Contrary to this, mind-factors’ influence on angina pectoris is considerable and robustly investigated. Altogether, this calls for more Read the full article…
Responsibility of Humanism in Modern Times
This responsibility has always been huge ― perhaps even more so in modern times with many essential changes happening, and probably even more (and more essential) to come in the near future. Humanism: the striving to put the total human being at the first place of importance, therefore not a god or religion, nor some Read the full article…