http://iowa-mariner.com/uspuppet.png

Maybe I missed it, but it seems to me you omit the very real importance of us ancients passing on the fruits of our experience to young folks. I saw the disasterous results of not doing this at the government agency where I worked. In a cost-cutting effort a buy-out was offered. Many employees with 20, 30 or even 40-years experience left. Little effort was made to interview them or to allow them to mentor younger workers. The result was a huge loss of experience. I don’t think the agency has ever recovered. I’m quite sure that this happens across the spectrum of all work.

This is a very reasoned, thoughtful look at the way things have changed over the years, and will continue to change. I think we need older people–older even than 60–to have perspective and insight. I do not think the electorate can change the entrenched system, especially as the electorate does not speak with one voice. It may have to come from peaceful revolution–or is that an oxymoron? When people are marching in the streets, at some point, issues will have to be addressed. Occupy Wall Street was a step in that direction.

Very interesting insight! Stuart and I watched a documentary recently called “Do You Trust This Computer?” that was about the future of AI and it was interesting, about (among other things) what the role of doctors will be when machines are better at diagnostics and surgeries, and how computers are adept problem solvers without compassion, which is similar to the justice system of the wilderness. I thought it was a bit tantalized by itself, but I recommend it anyway.

Mariner’s great worry is that humanness will lose control of human history and its future as well. Most of us who take time to ponder these things tend to homogenize all humans into a narrow definition of functionality; this is not true. Ninety percent of humans are virtually identical to other members of the primate family – that is, little skill or interest in conceptual values. This sounds hypocritical but it is painfully true. It will be easy for AI to take the upper hand in all manner of human behavior – including its future.

I have long been concerned by the “undeification” of God. This can be seen in the use of small letters to refer to him vs. Him, by the use of the familiar pronoun “you” instead of an honorific one “thou.” and by putting us on a level with God like he’s just one of the gang. The same thing happened with the Old Irish gods. Deities that were originally potent actors in the affairs of men became diminished and are now leprachauns. Which originally meant “little body.” Many other languages have special vocabularies to speak to or about a God. The sense of awe that I believe we should have toward God is lessened when we address Him as an equal.

Well spoken, Robert. I have similar grievances about worship services when the litany becomes rote and emotionless. Spirituality in any circumstance requires concentration and self-evaluation. Metaphorically, one cannot reach for the stars if the stars are lying on the living room rug.

Interesting and unsettling–as futurists often are. My only question is at the end when you say “In the future it is likely that profit will be built into the corporate model because corporations will control human value without human preferences.” I wonder what that model would look like? And then I have a follow up: from whence do philosophers arise? is it because the culture gets too bloated and unstable so that a change of direction becomes obvious? Does it depend on the arrival of a genius? Or a Jesus?

What a refreshing and helpful way to start the day. Your description of Jane Pauley’s voice is eloquent.

Glad you recognize and appreciate your wife’s extraordinary talent! This a wonderful poem and I hope she shares more with us. Loved it.

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Not what I expected

National unity does seem like an impossible dream. It doesn’t feel like Americans are on the same team anymore, and I wonder when that happened. I could blame certain parties, but that does not advance the cause of unity. But if certain parties would be more reasonable, unity would be easier to achieve!