{"id":18637,"date":"2024-12-08T09:13:42","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T09:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurelis.org\/blog\/?p=18637"},"modified":"2024-12-08T20:39:35","modified_gmt":"2024-12-08T20:39:35","slug":"comfortably-self-destructive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aurelis.org\/blog\/general-insights\/comfortably-self-destructive","title":{"rendered":"Comfortably (Self-)Destructive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

That is how I see many people, swaying to the rhythm of routine and collective comfort, avoiding a deeper exploration of their true selves \u2015 still partially conscious beings, teetering on the edge of untapped self-awareness and unresolved complexities.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Comfort acts as a shield against the cold winds of uncertainty. However, this same comfort blinds us to the cracks it causes \u2014 fractures rooted in the denial of our deeper selves and evasion of meaningful growth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The situations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s comfortable to just float along with the mainstream, gazing at the same moon as other contented floaters. Now, let\u2019s look into three situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. When something avoidably bad happens to person X, there may be a slight panic, after which everyone returns to \u2018streaming as usual.\u2019<\/li>
  2. When something avoidably terrible happens to a lot of X\u2019s, there\u2019s more panic for a relatively short while \u2015 after which one quickly returns to comfortable numbness.<\/li>
  3. When something avoidably destructive happens to all X\u2019s \u2015 panic galore. However, meanwhile, few care to look ahead.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, all three situations are happening right now or will be happening soon \u2015 all related to a dire lack of self-insight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The situations, more concretely<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Psychosomatic illnesses can severely debilitate or even lead to death. This happens frequently (millions yearly). Yet, by labeling \u2018illness\u2019 as the enemy, its roots remain comfortably hidden beneath the surface.<\/li>
    2. COVID-19<\/a> is an example of a global disaster whereby many millions (probably half of the total mortality) avoidably died in dire circumstances. Yet, with \u2018the virus as the enemy,\u2019 the search for comfortable numbness was rampant \u2015 including or especially in those who must know better. By the way, it still is, while the next pandemic will be only a matter of time.<\/li>
    3. The perfect example here is non-Compassionate A.I. No, I cannot look into \u2018the future,\u2019 but I can look into this one because it is so apparent. Where is the enemy here?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      From an evolutionary standpoint, it\u2019s logical.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Physiologically, we are pretty weak and vulnerable animals. We (the human species, many millennia ago) have our social brains<\/em> to protect us from \u2018the enemy.\u2019 This has made for a very strong and lasting instinct. In short, \u2018the enemy\u2019 still makes us huddle together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      However, in modern times, and even more so in the future, this instinct often works against us. See the above examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Right now, we\u2019re on a comfortably (self-)destructive streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Why are so many people comfortable with this?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I must start by saying that I don\u2019t get this entirely myself. When push comes to shove, people can be incomprehensibly short-sighted while, at the same time, seemingly care much for the future. It\u2019s one and the other simultaneously \u2015 therefore, something else must be at play that overrides the broad view in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      It seems to me these circumstances are enemy-based. When somehow an enemy is in sight \u2013 or even clearly only the idea<\/em> of an enemy \u2013 people retreat into numbness \u2015 resembling a freeze response, like a rabbit in a spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Only, the human freeze response is more covered and can last much longer. People want to \u2018live their lives\u2019\u2026 in comfortable numbness, hoping the enemy will go away and not eat them personally. Also, people seek protection in their numbers. Note that this is not a rational reaction. It\u2019s rather an instinct \u2015 one that still holds many in its grip very firmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      A comforting illusion of control<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Often, people cling to the illusion of control. It feels safer to fight a clearly defined ‘enemy,’ even if it\u2019s only a symbol. This illusion acts as a buffer against the deeper fear of uncertainty but diverts attention from where real control might lie: inside themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Instead of confronting their own instincts and the structures they inhabit, they hold onto these superficial solutions, which might, paradoxically, reinforce the self-destructive cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The freeze response: a modern ‘cocoon<\/strong>‘<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The metaphor of the rabbit can evolve. Today, humans retreat into cocoons of distraction \u2014 constant media, consumerism, and polarized debates. Unlike rabbits, humans possess the ability to transcend their freeze response through deliberate reflection and action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      But breaking the cocoon means risking discomfort. It requires courage and introspection, two qualities often numbed by modern living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Where is the enemy in non-Compassionate A.I.?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You may have noticed that I left this question unanswered. Maybe you thought of one yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In my view, the main \u2018enemy\u2019 here is the idea that we are not the pinnacle of intelligence in the universe, or even on Earth, soon enough. Note that simplistic ideas such as this have always been prone to being \u2018the enemy.\u2019 Simplistic ideas of \u2018the enemy\u2019 have historically fueled wars and shaped collective anxieties. For instance, in many cases, even the simple idea of being under threat is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Homo sapiens has never been entirely \u2018sapiens.\u2019 In many cases, we \u2013 our ideas or anxieties \u2013 have been our worst enemies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      From self-destruction to self-evolution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Self-destructive tendencies aren\u2019t merely about loss; they can also hold the seeds for transformation. The freeze response, far from signaling defeat, could represent a necessary pause that holds the seeds of transformation. Like a chrysalis, stillness can become a sanctuary for growth \u2014 if recognized and nurtured before it hardens into stagnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Compassionate A.I. as a mirror<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Non-Compassionate A.I. is more than a technological threat; it reflects humanity’s emotional detachment. By cultivating inner awareness, we could design A.I. to magnify humanity\u2019s virtues rather than its vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This starts with cultivating Compassion within ourselves. Such a shift could transform A.I. into a collaborator for human growth, urging us to trade comfortable numbness for active, intentional awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Addendum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Me<\/strong>: \u201cLisa, you will probably coach many such \u2018comfortably (self-)destructive\u2019 people who refuse to \u2013 as I call it \u2013 wake up from this situation. I sometimes have a difficult time with them myself because, from a broad perspective, the results are so horrible. Do you have some advice for me about how to handle this and how you would do it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Lisa<\/strong>: \u201cI understand the difficulty, as helping people move beyond entrenched patterns of comfort and avoidance is deeply challenging. Here\u2019s how I approach it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n