You know how many animals have unique sensing abilities to subconsciously process environmental data and respond as if something important is about to happen?
I think a lot of humans are feeling that way right now.
Things are changing exponentially (Moore’s Law, solar power efficiency, 3D printing, VR, AI, IoT, cryptocurrency, blockchains, programmable money, smart contracts, etc). We’re not good at probabilities or exponential growth because we haven’t evolved in an environment where these things happen around us. And yet, we’re just starting to perceive something on the edges of our consciousness. Just outside of “knowing,” we’re feeling the changes happening. If we believe those who talk about “the singularity,” things will change so quickly in the next few decades as to make that reality almost unrecognizable from what we have today.
What are we to do?
Should we bark at the night, running around scared? Should we stick our head in the sand and hope it all turns out okay?
My suggestion: Level up as quickly as possible. Trade entertainment for edutainment. Learn constantly. Audiobooks at 3x speed and educational YouTube videos at 2x speed. More documentaries and fewer action flicks or dramas.
This thing is happening and many of us know it. It’s not (yet) completely autonomous in its rapid geometric expansion. We still have a chance to give it some input and direct it forward with purpose and shared goals to increase well-being. We all have a part to play, experience and talent to contribute, and unique, invaluable perspectives for determining consensus on value itself.
We’re rapidly moving past the point of useful excuses. If your job doesn’t give you enough time to keep up, find a new one or start your own business. If your social commitments don’t align with staying informed, adjust them. We still have a chance to influence what’s coming.
If we sit on the sidelines and watch, our world will be defined for us so quickly, we won’t have a chance to give any input to the process, and we’ll be controlled by forces we as individuals didn’t create.
And that, I think, is what scares us most.
Thoughts like this remind me of fractals. Thanks to Pixabay for these CC0 works of art. Click each to view author information.
This started as a @lukes.random post, but spiraled deeper, so I'm putting it here.
