Those who look Outside-Dream: Those who look Inside-Awaken – Carl Sagan
Abstract- This 21st Century is very clearly different from all other centuries. We live in an era when our consciousness & free will are on barter. AI/ML, a most premeditated & dangerous system, incapable of making willful choices, is Sultan of the Swings. Why didn’t our bio-Scientists instead capture the codes of the birds and animals diverting human attention to the environment? I am wondering if AI/ChatGPT/AGI is being palmed-off on us because dulled instincts, environment & behavior of Homosapiens have made us absolutely bovine. Despite having best philosophers blossom across centuries, we have not yet understood nature of our own Consciousness, Self and Free Will. We live in accelerated modes of Matter, Energy, Speed & Time (MEST) that enable the powerful to create & control an environment that is actually a huge “killing field”. Neuro (Bio) Scientists confirm human ailments are derived from environmentally induced epigenetic alterations and NOT defective genes which imply our behaviors and environment are largely contributing the way our genes work and not vice versa. In other words across the past few Centuries of Time & Motion studies that Homosapiens have trespassed leading to our current impasse, the evolving unnatural environment has greatly influenced our behaviors grossly affecting the way our genes work. Epigenetic changes like brain engineering are reversible. While these do not change DNA sequence, they can and do change how the body reads a DNA sequence. Hence the “on” and “off” again signaled genes impact our thoughts, behaviors to create the environment. Is it partly this phenomenon that makes humans so non-inclusive in 2023? A misconstrued sign of bovinity!
Concurrently with the huge gap in our chronological and psychological ages ( 72 varieties of eccentric behaviors identified by psychologists); the time has arrived to initiate an inter-disciplinary approach in understanding the potential indicators of Consciousness in AI & try and raise our own Consciousness in the process. My clear objective in this Paper, somewhat amateurishly, is to visibly create a fusion of ideas drawn from the aforesaid 3 Streams. Machines cannot become Conscious but why can’t Homosapiens “change or be changed” in as rational and structured manner as we can in these paradoxical times! Becoming computer savvy may not necessarily be the best or only choice. Futurologist Scientist Ray Kurzweil’s unfamiliar but graphic analysis of the 6 Epochs of Evolution indicates billions of years of evolution have not enabled the human capacity maturity to understand the increased order of complexity. We are just living it up with accrued opulence of ‘plenty’- much like rats in a huge Laboratory. In the meanwhile Scientists have now created a new space for immortality. If human consciousness remains casually laid-back without making those causal (cause & effect) inferences then something is wrong. Will Immortality cause alteration in our behavior that is antithetical to the cause of Nature? Systemic flaws in post WWII environment management policies have dissuaded understanding basic body-mind dynamics. Instead our techno-scientific culture has created marvels like supplanting the body tissues with chips.
My point is simple- is AI/ML-ChatGPT-AGI the best cure for uncontrollable human caprice? Can our rational choices in post 2023 be based on sounder temperament? With the rise and rise of AI/ML, it appears Mother Nature is also indicating her wrath on the cruelest animal on planet earth. She has always worked through indirection to create another capability. Reverse Engineering of the human brain enables signals from the healthy tissues are recorded by an implantable chip that would generate new signals bypassing the brain damage. Can we create integrated community behavior now?
Late Reverend Swami Ranganathananda (whose level of Consciousness reflects his deep thinking based on the premise of looking inward to understand Existence) has influenced my thinking. I am grateful to Computer Scientist Ray Kurzweil (on his inputs on AI eclipsing HI in a few decades, impacting socio-economic ‘virtuous’ cycles).In this Paper my thoughts on Transhumanism have been triggered by Transhumanist Max More. Economist Dean Spears (Population Research Center, University of Texas) has compelled me with his analysis on the precipitous fall in human population before 2080. Neuro-Scientist Bruce H. Lipton and few others of eminence have influenced me much. (Read END NOTES)
As robots inherit Earth to become children of our fading human race they are also being meticulously programmed to see the larger sky, sans ethics, emotion and philosophy which our fading human race has forfeited. Total fertility rates (TFR) of humans having fallen well below acceptable levels in the midst of craves for Immortality. But is this Immortality guaranteed for the HNIs around the world only? With rising toxicity in geo-political decision making, daring Open-AI Court intrigues, imminent collapse of the US $ & the push becoming shove, is the “immortal” future of Homosapiens at all in safe hands? All I am asking of my intrepid reader, whose own life itself has been differently ‘startling in scope and bravado’, is to pause a while, endure the logic of my arguments & reflect…
Introduction
I have been an avid admirer of Dr. Ray Kurzweil from my academic years in beautiful and much quieter Odisha, India where I spent much quality Time with resplendent Nature. Only last year I was gifted with a personal copy of Dr. Kurzweil’s seminal & breathtaking book “THE SINGULARITY IS NEAR-when humans transcend biology” (Penguin Books, 2006). Dr. Kurzweil is one of the world’s leading inventors, thinkers and futurologists with a 20 year track record of accurate predictions. He is a “restless genius” (Wall Street Journal), “the ultimate thinking machine” (Forbes magazine) and described as “rightful heir to Thomas Edison” (Inc. magazine). His book and recent events concerning ChatGPT of Open AI are closely linked with the fraught inevitability of HI eclipsing AI, huge gap between chronological and psychological ages of the average global citizen (imposed bovinity?) and very serious apprehensions of quality of leadership & relative decision-making capability maturities of not only the geo-political leaders but also these “kids” in-charge of AI Companies and “Cartels. I am inclined to believe global society is confronting the highest form of Evil- i.e. Brute Power ever.
I believe the ones taking the calls in Open AI /Microsoft-ChatGPT/AGI- may not possess altruistic ideas nor streaks of Transhumanism. Their fundamental error of judgment is that while as creators of their tools they are being Optimists, they are super-imposing their scientific AI/ML “optimism” on the rest of the World. Much like we did in school chemistry/biology Labs with rabbits and mice. This is high risk matter.
In doing so, how can these persons, much like the Supreme Creator of the diverse Universe, sincerely believe they are creating a more benevolent Universe (World)? Global economic & demographic trends clearly indicate to the contrary. With their running contradictions and palace intrigues out in the open, it is very apparent these honorable persons are extending their optimism to the rest of us, ordinary global citizens- whose 24×7 “running from pillar to post” lifestyles, can no longer be dependent on people practicing forms of truancy.
Mankind has confronted such intolerable nonsense earlier- in known history: the post Buddha period; the post French Revolution when ‘Fraternity” (Brotherhood) was totally hijacked as its third Icon and “Equality” and “Liberty” were super-imposed as symbols of a western civilization of “Reason”. It is quite a different story that this Force has long converted into an unchained Brute Power post Industrial Revolution.
And now we have this Digital Revolution. We have material comforts, life may be at ease but are we not suffering a non- spiritual disease? Need we look inside? It is a moral choice @micro levels of existence I write as one of many Homosapiens as concerned about our Future as any other conscious individual.
Altruism-Transhumanism & Digital Paradox
The Era of humanism is over. Altruism overtaken; Transhumanism has arrived (END-NOTES). Many micro issues are getting sorted as we enhance awareness post the Covid Blues. There is a fatalistic fear of the unknown. Our Gods of small things seem to be moving away. Can godliness and religiousness replace God and Religion in these paradoxical times, I wonder. Are the younger generations choosing life over mind? Are they displaying behaviors accepting life, much like the computers that manage Quantum Leaps, I wonder. Because it is in the fitness of things to realize life does not move bit by bit or by opinions; life is an experience, an unexplained song. Humankind is on its “Ahh!” mirage Moments in 21st Century but must we jive in this scenario? A different dimension of reality has emerged. We must understand its consequences. Meanwhile Computer Scientist Ray Kurzweil has forecast few consequences namely:
- Flying drones will deliver food much like the Swiggy Delivery Persons, is one such shaft of light
- Neuro technology enabled futuristic communications vibes over thoughts thro’ nanobots is yet another
- But what tantalized me beyond ‘Hybrid’ Intelligence is his fanatical forecast of virtual reality empowering communication with dead associates/friends!
Perspectives will vary based on individual capability assessments of the accelerated changes in the past 50 years. The environment I was born is different from my children’s’ & that of my grand kids. Perspectives vary. The truth is Kurzweil’s Singularity has revealed the 6 Epochs of evolution (Exhibit 1-End Notes). We are currently perched mid-way through Epoch 4 as all matter is being slowly converted to thinking matter The “no-win: no-win” rub-in here lies in this thinking matter not necessarily being driven by Reason because AI works differently. As humans we operate with intuition and empathy. AI logic is not at all similar to the concept of ‘reason’ humans are generally familiar with. Who will control AI/ML in this emerging era of Darkness thus becomes critical. Most folks controlling the World are ambivalent on issues of Consciousness- their morbid actions reveal them more as “Sincere Deceivers” once the mask is removed. But Consciousness is not a Coffee Table discussion issue any longer. It is core to our moral integrity which we have forsaken for last few centuries. Therefore I believe the Time has come when programmed AI/ML must induce mankind with those feelings of “little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love”. We must fast forward to integrated community behavior hubs under Quantum Computer management. Homosapiens must be induced to embrace inclusivity. And this I believe makes important what power comprehensively controls AI in the next few decades- Con-artistes or Visionaries.
Over centuries powerful Nature has been creating her own trajectories to balance cosmic alignments. I have used Exhibit 1 and Tables 1-A & 1-B (End Notes) that feature the intensification of two conspicuously different human generated paradoxical movements. Their outputs could lead humans toward enhanced Consciousness or Chaos. Both patterns are in sync with Nature who is creating her own level-playing fields for sustaining this stupefying wonderment we call Life. The Digital Leaders of our World like Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman and every political leader worth his salt are not quite oblivious of the inherent contradictions. The World Citizens are. But no one is aware of the illicit psycho-social changes that are accompanying digital complexities. This is one aspect of our current problem that needs a fusion of ideas.
The challenge for our successive generations will be to utilize Transhumanism which dares physical and mental bias/constraints by means of science and technology. Interestingly we get naturally elated as we receive news on:
- Sitting on “Awakened” toilet seats to detect much in advance those grimy cancer cells in humans
- Choosing “designer” baby characteristics through artificial wombs
- Dispensing with current the mind-blowing “wants” for cars in lieu of better transport alternatives.
But genuine Transhumanism will never fall from the skies. It will all-depend when, if at all, inter-connected communities under enhanced intelligence can improve along multiple humane tracks with inclusiveness across the forthcoming 2023-2083 period of time. There is limited time at our disposal. (“The brain is a world consisting of a number of unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory”: Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Nobel Prize Physiology 1906). Our brains are quite incapable of making long term decisions unless we change its basic functionalities-which are happening slowly under AI/ML intrusions already- bots in our brains for example! Transhumanism on its part stretches our imaginations with the logic of machine learning beyond the realm of science fiction. The remaining decades of human civilization will become more intelligent or foolishly bovine based upon standardization or worsening of existing inconsistency levels in our community developments. We need inclusive plans & programs with REASON (not power) under meticulous precision of Quantum Computer Technology managed by rational humans. If this appears an unattainable wish-list it is because global communities are not at all suitably structured to confront the accelerated pace of AI propelled technological changes. There is a huge gap between technology and the (economics) of human behavior- much like the gap earlier referred between our chronology and psychology (primarily the male gender Homosapiens). And this is where our Scientists have seen the wood for the trees- using humans as apparatus much like those intemperate witches in Macbeth.
The processes of creating an AI/ML future must include philosophy and science within the limited space of Time deducible from the 3 Exhibits displayed at End Notes. Human growth trajectories affirm integrated behavior has been an asset in pas. Nations and communities have succeeded when the whole community has responded (under duress or planned strategy) in unison to risk management issues. Consider the French and Chinese Revolutions for instance; or the management of the present nation state Singapore. Or even the behavior exhibited by prides of lions when they go for the kill or are attacked. Our Scientists have identified–“the rules of our Universe & the balance of the physical constants that govern the interaction of basic forces are so exquisitely, delicately and exactly appropriate for the codification and evolution of information (resulting in increasing complexity) that one wonders how such an extraordinarily unlikely situation came about. Where some see a divine hand, others see our own hands– namely the anthropic principle- that holds that only in a universe that allowed our own evolution would we be here to ask such questions.” (Ray Kurzweil). This is the time to prepare our successive generations with systems, methods and policies that must yield requisite dividends for community livelihood in a world where Singularity has long arrived. In 2023 it is apparent larger segments of human kind are incapable of confronting this challenge. The traditional hands-off education & inconsistent self-aggrandizement government policies with distrustful human spawned market relationships are symbolic.
Vedic Philosophy and Consciousness
The 6 Epochal Convergences (Exhibit 1) plotted by Dr. Kurzweil show Evolution has worked through indirection. Our Scientists have no control over Evolutionary processes. But they dexterously use matter and energy to create new architectures.
The pace of innovation in our current VUCA World (mid-period in Epoch 4) triumphs because potent Technology is driving communities of unconcerned, almost casual end-users to live life either in squandering opulence or desperately making both ends. It is as if the causality of intrinsic thinking has been thrown to the winds. Globalization of cultures has depreciated the environment. The accelerated pace of technology and its 21st Century clear advantages (Smartphone) have immensely dulled our genre. We pay less heed to such advice as “Why go round with your eyes shut & minds closed & thus fail to recognize your true heritage? You are World unto yourself; so take time to be still and find it all & begin to understand others and life. – Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Winner of Nobel Prize Literature “100 Years of Solitude”. Marquez btw, was immensely influenced by Hemingway, Faulkner, and Dostoevsky & even Virginia Woolf- writers we discuss very less in these opulent times of gluttonous plenty!
Human Biological Intelligence carries inherent constraints because we are still unable to see beyond the 5 senses. Swami Ranganathananda Ji explains: “if you can penetrate deeper into yourself, you will find higher and higher dimensions opening up. The language of the Upanishads is to be found from our grossest energy to subtle nerve fiber (nervous energy) behind which is the psychic energy.” Transhumanists may juxtapose Universal Energy we seek to activate may be inter alia in total harmony with Nature’s projected ‘higher dimensions’. By inference human civilization has sadly not evolved as it should owing to unnatural behavioral constraints (induced by technology?) in individual self-actualization capabilities. Bio-Scientists have understood the biological shortcomings in our physical bodies and other deficiencies. Marketing and advertising with audio-visual sensations are capitalizing in the Social Media sans any moral constraints in maturing consumer psychology. “Customer is the King” and we splurge. Unmindful movers and shakers of societies are oblivious to this widening “as-is: to-be” gap. Our lifestyles, commitments and value systems are not quite in philosophical sync to question the arrogance of perpetrators of AI/ML-Chat GPT and AGI technologies. The Open-AI fracas of Nov23 is a curtain-raiser where latest reports confirm NYT having rightfully sued Open AI over copyright issues. The NYT said “There is nothing “transformative” about using The Times content (by Open AI) without payment to create products that substitute for the Times and steal audiences away from it”.
Quite logically “Mind Training” of non-biological intelligence that will finally take over Epoch 5 & 6 require special jurisprudence of Elon Musk, Satya Nadella and Sam Altman and entities like the NYT. But do they possess the capability maturities and can they initiate their own mind-training in sync with the projected future developments? Is NYT’s reaction for self-survival only? Is NYT’s “Consciousness” in sync with the leadership demands of global and micro community levels? All these great people, with the moneyed classes, are controlling our World are the ones organizing the Futures of Persons of Tomorrow for a Brave New World. Yet indications seem to confirm these esteemed persons may be limited in the scope of Vision & Mission. Are they creating their own visualized Brave New Word? While the Scientists are aligned to highest platforms of trajectories linked to Epochs 4-6, the persons running the shows of governances across our world remain not only indecisive but divisive. Having grasped the essence of Kurzweil, Swami Ranganathananda Ji, Transhumanism and the demographic disasters up ahead within the limitations of my own capabilities, my gut-feeling is Nature will finally bring the desired change. And our grand-children’s’ generations may not quite lap up those paradigm shifts as fish do to water. There may be mixed breeds- of biological and non-biological intelligence!
It is evident many parts of the World have embraced Vedic behavioral patterns and the speed of acceptance is increasing day by day. AI/ML is also blended with the best of human minds. But Elon Musk, Dr. Kurzweil, S. Nadella, Sam Altman and all others may not be as concerned on enhancing Consciousness levels among biological intelligence (humans). They do not know how-yes, Mentor-Visionaries are in short supply. And yet, this need for looking “inward” has emerged. In a recent open air interviews in Italy and on another post his visit to China, 48 year old Elon Musk left his audience speechless insisting at some point of the AV transactions that mankind cannot dispense with Consciousness. Human Consciousness is not yet discovered anywhere else in our Galaxy, he said. Civlisational Consciousness, he insisted, is a small, very vulnerable candle in a vast darkness of space. With technological progress this light of Consciousness must NOT go out. Musk admitted we are at an existential crisis and need to ask the right questions, expand on our Consciousness and learn much on the nature of the Universe. Lessons of history cannot be ignored as we redefine our philosophical understanding. And he cautioned on the urgency to sustain this civilization by correcting the negative birth rates that have created an inverted demographic pyramid. (https://youtu.be/8ZFFYNp-aeU?si=5MOTQBMGpdkIH4p (post his China visit) and https://youtu.be/QnpPU1KjclKjclU?si=7WZMKl2uj3MnZlrl (in Italy). It is unto the reader to decipher more her way.
Can nanobots be infused with inputs from Vedic Psychology as we simultaneously quicken the pace of spreading Vedic Philosophy? Can the next level of non-biological intelligence be based upon patterns of fraternal programming for instance? Because if we objectively reflect on the history of human civilization this deficiency in our approach has caused maximum disruptions among nations, peoples, communities and families- much like the want of a horse-shoe nail that lost battles. “Greed”, “anger” and “desires” have contributed immensely to the fall of macro- empires and micro-families as they do even now. Objectively speaking, Vedic psychology‘s “looking inward” & identifying with Nature are not far apart from what Gabriel Garcia Marquez describes as ‘eyes shut and closed minds’ either. And for that matter not very far apart either from what Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Nobel Prize Physiology 1906 described the human brain as “unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory”. Inward must become the new normal! There appears no other alternative.
Life in Epoch 4 is extending toward the Epoch 5 with more meteoric in its speed. In Epoch 5 non biological intelligence prevails. Vast human brain intelligence merges in this Epochal transition with vastly greater capacity, speed & knowledge -enabling Humans to transcend Biology, says Dr. Kurzweil. A gargantuan human-machine civilization is now churning to ensure an unimaginable future. Kurzweil says “Singularity will enable overcoming of old age problems” but “will also amplify the ability to act on our destructive inclinations”. Can we now visualize the paradigm changes? We need to be careful: ‘Destructive inclinations’ may have connects with late English theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking’s apprehension of possible extinction of human race. It may not be worrisome thinking of erratic patterns in economics of behavior that will be practiced by different grass-root segments of the population. We are the practitioners of this muck. But imagining the end of human race is a different cup of tea!
Negative birth rates and the upside-down demographic pyramid
Quite distinctive to the gradual eclipse of Human Intelligence by AI, a very purposeful NYT Opinion piece on precipitous fall in population levels has now surfaced. Economist Dean Spears at the Population Research Center (University of Texas) makes very disturbing projections on global population collapsing by 2100. Naturally, given the current juvenile capability maturity levels of human communities, what becomes of the human race as it faces extinction may remain of little concern. We are similar in fate to the ones who ran from pillar to post in Victorian England, wrestling with oppressive system and fate. We may be confined to newer versions of Gulags across camps much like the British created ones for the INA personnel captured in Europe at end of WWII. They were cramped in Jabalpur, India from 1946. How are our present leaders thinking and behaving? These extraordinary mortals highly paid as Presidents, Prime Ministers and Generals or their lieutenants that rule the world nations? And also those Families funding their extraordinary decisions to wage wars…Is another theater of the absurd future safely tucked in their democratic, socialistic or autocratic minds?
Dr. Spears, Economist and his band of researchers have analyzed there is very modest space in future for increased births on planet earth. As human total fertility rates (TFR) sustain the slide below 2.1- (after due accommodation of estimated mortality rate), the World population will peak from 2050 to 2080 but alarm bells will ring thereafter. A precipitous decline will occur (Refer End Notes-Table I-A&B) as total fertility rates have already fallen below 1.5 ratios across all populous nations. Interestingly, this is precisely the same period when purported supremacy of non-biological intelligence (AI) over the biological will randomly spread across manufacturing and service sectors of our World. This paradigm shift may no longer create employment capacities in a world then populated by precipitous fall in fertility rates. Concurrently a weakened US $ has been driving the US government to bend backward and the whole global economy unfortunately rotates round the US $. Coincidentally, around this time biologists will have also discovered death is not at all inevitable; that immortality can be bought across the shelves. How will our governing powers at that material time reconcile these contradictory issues, respond to questions and other public demands?-if public can at all demand in those complexities! In Management Institutes or Medical Colleges, homes and reformatories, what pedagogies will be transacted at those thrilling moments of time, I wonder. Long term visuals are of minimal concern to Homosapiens- which has made us very vulnerable through history.
A flattened population curve defined by remarkable drop in fertility rates is very intriguing. But it may not necessarily usher the requisite qualitative living to our progeny because there will be simultaneous huge displacement of working age segments into “Useless Classes”. The largely graying humans will no longer be employable. In the not too distant future humans will have more opportunities to sit on trees, go on vacations and joyfully live as ‘spares’. The HNI segments in our society are already indulging in these best practices because they have the money to flaunt. Sports and Cricket stadiums may be chock-a-bloc in future with youthful crowds but under mandate to be monitored in Galleries, temporarily “employed” and then return home. All under government sponsored dictates & subsidy. This could be a possibility!
Transhumanism, Singularity and Vedanta
I find an ill-defined & imprecise link between Transhumanism & what Swami Ranganathananda Ji explained concerning best practices in micro-level enhancement of inter-personal relations. My inter-connected ideas lead me to postulate that the nature of Transhumanism has discreetly evolved under Umbrellas of unconscious Vedanta thoughts in the West. Vedanta has always had Western advocates, Chinese/Japanese notwithstanding whose goals in life have rotated around divine studies over practical life experiences. Vedanta was never confined to the Indian subcontinent. Its ideas originate among aware individuals based on brain-based learning capabilities. History shows Edison, Nikola Tesla, Aldous Huxley, David Thoreau and many unknown others been influenced by Vedanta thoughts and even Swami Vivekananda. At another extreme I find scientific prophesies provided by Dr. Ray Kurzweil in his book under reference unfolding almost like a modern day Gita demanding more careful introspection.
There is also a strange congruence between Transhumanist Founder Max More, Swami Ranganathananda Ji and descriptions in Kurzweil’s Singularity (End Note). While the Swami’s mind vibrated across multiple-tracks of practical thinking relevant to conscious society, Kurzweil’s is focused on the inevitability of mankind’s technological knowledge aligning with AI/ML. Max More critically contributes to such convergences. Their words of wisdom need re-interpretation today in sync with the immersive Digital World our younger generations are inheriting for “optimal brain-based learning activities”. We lie amidst the power of Quantum Reality linked with psycho-social human behavior- an aspect we remain largely unconcerned with. The logic of Singularity in Dr. Ray Kurzweil’s determining books trigger the uncertainty of “where am I going and how do I get there?” Similar questions pop-up as one reads the pamphlets by the Reverend Swami. Concurrent with the rise of Transhumanism (1990s) the Swami has shared significant ideas on self-development & practical humanistic issues that are clearly those much neglected self-developmental tools. Kurzweil and Swami Ji differently but succinctly emphasize looking toward the long term with inner enlightenment. Governance since WWII has emphasized less in this “looking inward” approach. There has been more emphasis on acquisitive mind-set, with the “bounded rationality” nurtured in the market economics creating environments with more dulled than joyful humans.
Quite unfortunately, inverted human leadership has utilized the accelerated digital technologies for self-aggrandizement purposes, antithetical to the rise of fraternal bonding (compassion) among peoples. This is the precise “missing link” in Homosapiens’ Evolutionary processes across time. Our digital technology is a by-product of this “strange” fusion of circumstances. The luring benefits of technology and innovations having mesmerized across generations, Humans remain incapacitated by intoxication o opulence. Opening the ‘Third Eye’, endorsed by both Transhumanism and Vedanta needs ignition at this point of Time. But with AI/ML stepping in with such elegance, our race is confronting a massive challenge- will the intuitive human Third Eye finally open or AI/ML non-biological intelligence surge ahead?
We are confronting vicious Future Shocks where we must choose between Brute Forces and Forces of Reason. Can we convincingly articulate nature of existence is attainable through harmony? This is precisely what Transhumanism is offering in sync with what Swami Ranganathananda Ji advocated. Our Indian culture remains mesmerized with wisdom of sages Ram Krishna Paramahansa, Ramanna Maharshi, Anandamoyee Ma and hosts of other enlightened Souls but at individual levels only. If we can bond there may be redemption. We are at the crossroads of a VUCA 21st century where concern for the long term matters most. Such a Future Shock was described by one other Futurologist Alvin Toffler (1928-2016). He had defined technological societies sprouting up around 21st Century. But like Kurzweil, had said little on human psychology.
Can we recapture Vedic psychology or is it too late? The basic intractable problem in all individuals involves practical experiences of being aware of & managing one’s own mind and emotions. Jiva Vedic Psychology as it is known supports meditation to reduce emotional imbalances. Psychologists state there are 72 varieties of mental disorders prevailing in human society presently. These accentuate when intelligence/emotion work against individuals. Apparently even ‘normal’ Humans are thinking in error, identifying with behavioral characteristics they are not. Psychologists have declared that beyond mental ailments, humans are already displaying erratic behaviors that dangerously undermine the gap between psychological and chronological ages. Does our World lack the requisite leadership skills to create that “One World-One Family-One Future”?
In the meanwhile mankind has very silently scaled a plateau where Epoch 4 in Exhibit 1 Kurzweil is almost offering an opportunity, perhaps an incentive, to look inwards! A tipping point in neuro-philosophy may have arrived. We need leaders inducing communities understand the inevitability of gradual onset of non-biological intelligence (dispersed across inter-connected generations of humans cohabiting simultaneously) whilst concurrently coming to terms with their own biological shortcoming and turbulences. This is not quite a period when we need developmental thrusts to create huge numbers of professional experts and academic intellectuals. For far too long mankind has ignored the common-sense truth that man’s best life-long friend is his own body. Too many of our brilliant minds are capitulating to unexpected diseases and even more will follow. If “immortality” is a goal and my generation has spent a lifetime yearning this nonsensical dream, it is well our succeeding generations are ingrained to become more pragmatically engaged with body-mind dynamics. Dr. Kurzweil’s book insinuates this necessity. A Machine World is in the making. Concomitant with the current false sense of “equality” and “liberty” we have finally clear choices to choose between what is good and bad, fair and unfair, reason and unreasonable. It is time for community systems to introduce measured best practices resolving contentious issues concerning life and living. Dr. Kurzweil propositions cannot be summarily dismissed but this does not preclude us from thinking out-of-the-box either within the limited tie frames o our relative mortalities. Can we finally become human?
The current 20 to 60 age working age human persons will experience paradigm changes as future members of the larger graying populations within the next few decades. I tend to resonate more with contemporary Transhuman philosopher Max More over Computer Scientist Ray Kurzweil, in that rapid increase in growth of technology will not just have one surge (Singularity: i.e. confined to just Technology). There will be many socio-centric surges happening across Time. As digital & demographic futures of mankind converge proportionate to their values (Exhibit I analyzed with Table 1-A/Table 1-B); the very quintessence of Transhumanism will not be quite as predictable. Transhumanism is keyed to ask fundamental questions on every aspect of life while presumably living trustfully within compelling humanist state of affairs. Apparently, the present specimens of divisive human beings are incapable of even qualifying to manage the accelerated developments (MEST). Such paradox again leads me to enquire if Transhumanism can at all integrate basics of Vedic Psychology (overcoming “anger”/“greed”& looking “inwards”).
The Parody in our Techno-Digital Growth Story
Engineering & Management Graduates are recruited in droves with million $ salaries by Microsoft, Google, FB and 1000 other analytic entities. In context of direct impact of the environment on our behaviors (Bruce H. Lipton-refer End Notes) and the times that are changing, we may consider such investment “NPAs”. The recent crises in Open AI (extended to NYT) indicate these folks are not without their employment and other loan linked concerns either. Our Persons of Tomorrow may not even realize they are actually steering through zesty psycho-social paradigm shifts linked to bland Technological and Demographic architectures. Psycho-social behavior and relationships are products of the accelerated environment human communities have created. If negative impacts are sustained it is a caricature of how humans are conducting themselves. And if human societies remain incapable of rectifying gross misbehaviors antithetical to life and living, then by sheer logic AI is a much better replacement of HI. Alternatively, if there are vested interests involved in perpetuating crimes against “freedom”, “equality” and “liberty” (as is apparent from geo-political developments) obviously for centuries forms of Brute Forces have ruled.
Non-biological matter is now poised to altogether change the very nature of existing human/biological thought & behavior processes. In this scenario must our Persons of Tomorrow, given the casual opulence of “plenty” they display, keep on subsisting as frogs in their deep wells seeing very little of the huge sky? As they do so, they are quite stupidly wading into more uncertainties through -“catwalks in this virtual world of Metaverse where couture meets code”. Is this then the highest definition of an emerging Corporate Culture that is representative of our “progressive” biological intelligence that is destined to vanish? Such questions must stir each aware individual as we race toward extinction. “Those who look outside have always dreamed. Those who look inside awaken” was a very profound observation indeed.
I am personally a great fan of Mr. Simon Sinek, Thought Leader and Motivational Speaker for his Optimism Company. He is very popular in the professional world- which consists of the Tsars and Tsarinas of our Corporate World. He may be the right person to provide the appropriate medicines in the deteriorating civilization we are members of. He is the right person to create those Leaders needed to confront Dr. Kurzweil with valued questions that may make the Futurologist sit up and adapt…his Optimism library is a treasure trove of world-class lessons on leadership, communication & team building. Mr. Sinek is a jewel in the Corporate Crown, much like the jewels that Elon Musk, Ray Kurzweil, Max More, Bruce Lipton and Swami Ranganathananda Ji have been in their own spheres of influences. For the intrepid reader I am sharing two Sinek links that I believe are very educative- (refer End Notes for the 1st link). The 2nd more interesting link is – https://www.linkedin.om/post/imon-sinek_are-you-making-oters-feel-le-importnt-ctivity-714771385409536-L28?utm_ouce=share&utm_medium=member_android (“let’s talk about phone addiction”-Sinek on ways to stop unnatural behavior. We must keep on sharing positivism and hence Sinek & Musk must be fairly distributed.
Because the Future is faster than we think as we realize this is a high risk environment. Governance may soon become vested under mandated AI regulations of futuristic authoritarian regimes. These will be managed by meritocratic martial groups spread across world governments. The speed of acceleration will depend entirely on the deceit or purposefulness of the ruling elites. There will not be any opportunity for enlightened visionaries any more. Benighted and power-hungry, rulers will use technology and what remains of the “Useless Class” (Table 1-A & 1-B) for selfish experiments akin to as mentioned earlier, how we use rats and chimpanzees in our Labs today. What benign trajectory this world will take as Epoch 4 moves into the certainty of Epochs 5 & 6 remains unfathomable to my ‘going-bonkers’ mind! It will all depend on the programs based on the infinite wisdom of capable Scientists & leaders directly & indirectly linked to Singularity. Most other leaders are all muted.
We need to explore the potentials of developing more meaning in the midst of changing societal values. Patterns where insight is the only way for looking outside are needed to enhance inclusive organized activities while reducing complexity. Accelerated AI/ML in Epoch 4 cannot play the humanistic roles unless the programmers, Computer Scientists & other leaders get empowered with out-of-the-box Future Perfect ideas with ONE AIM- inclusivity. They need to put all available data into Quantum Computers and have the generated exception lists analyzed for brain storming & action. As we sustain beliefs in the sincerity of purposes of Kurzweil, Musk, Altman, Sutskever and others; as individuals we must simultaneously ask pertinent questions gathering more clarity on sharing proximity & space with the near-perfect AI/ML future.
If biological intelligence is on its way out then it is a clear sign of Nature indicating disapproval of the extravaganza of Homosapiens on Planet Earth. Nature is ever more intelligent than us petite humans. She must have greater plans to bring method in this human created madness on Her Earth. By the sheer logic of AI/genetic developments and concurrent demographic trends discussed hereinbefore, we may now infer possibly Nature has enabled Man to create AI/ML (from Turin Test-1950s) and is now using Man to plot through AI/ML the extinction of his own biological intelligence.
Contextually human ingenuity has created faster and safer deliveries for customers in this Twilight Zone where even customer-safety is programmed with meticulous finesse. One example is home-stays offer by Airbnb. Another is McAfee Engineers which protects digital lives of individuals and communities against bad actors by assessing, piloting and implementing cutting-edge observability tools. Hundreds of millions of youth are directly/indirectly contributing toward similar strategy and ‘roadmap’ creation with newer safer developments in AI technology. Every form of knowledge and aesthetic artistic expression-scientific, literary or celluloid- is expressed via digital information. Every form, that is, with the exception of Fraternity that is ever intertwined with spirituality. Brotherhood is that “missing link” for the depraved humans of 21st Century. And there appears no way to restore it any more.
Physicist-mathematician Stephen Wolfram’s says “the Universe itself is a giant-cellular-automation computer.” Inter-connectivity within our bodies is explained by neurologist-scientist Dr. Bruce H Lipton thus: the biochemical effects of brain’s functioning show all cells of human body are affected by our thoughts. I garner there is another “missing link”. It is embedded in this fantasy wrapped within and around me. I realize I fail whenever I copy the sponge in the manner it absorbs, takes in and soaks up. But I succeed when I emulate the filter which screens, takes in what it actually needs and finds useful. Contextually I find our Womenfolk more realistic than my ilk because of the additional nature in their creation which makes them more practical. In fact it is better to dedicate this article to our Persons of Tomorrow- the Womenfolk in particular and all the working age groups, including the farmers, the MSME workers and the Care-givers in our health sector- whose sustained contributions are significant in bringing our race to this tipping point of History. Unfortunately, the future cannot quite reflect a genuine “One World-One Family-One Future”. An Unmitigated Disaster stares at our faces.
Mind-boggling as Dr. Kurzweil is; Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and friend of Dr. Kurzweil, had also expressed his apprehensions (http://ww.wired.omired/archive/8.04/joy.html) on implementation processes (2000). The fact is we are all on smart multi-plane relationships which are part of that checkmated “Ahh” moment AI holds over humans. AI/ML is absolutely clear on its precise objectives with minimal fault-lines. Nature does have a game-plan. The Smartphone surely cannot at all be symbol of a “better-change” for biological intelligence. “Change or be changed” is now the clarion call and Mr. Bach, President of the IOA, made it very clear very recently.
Change or Be changed
Elite Indians including the Indian Prime Minister were part of the august audience from industry, cinema and politics in Mumbai on 14th October 2023. These are the Movers & Shakers of modern India- the ones who are role-models of a billion strong youthful work forces that are the real beneficiaries of India’s current growth story. Everyone was all ears in the Jio World Center when Thomas Bach, President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) delivered the 141st Session Presidential Speech. Mr. Bach outlined how the 2028 LA Olympics will be solely driven by AI with not an iota of human endeavor. Humans would occupy seats as spectators enjoying unquantifiable “immersive moments” instead in this 2028 Olympics! He very quietly but assertively reminded his audience that with AI moving into mainstream activities, human communities have now the choice: “change or be changed”. (https://youtu.b/ImUCN_MZQl?si=qeP4mjELUsWG2n). If India is to make a pitch for the 2034 Olympics, she has to accelerate response time in service sectors-local self-governments, health and transport facilities, and education with skill up-gradation. But critically she has to emphasize Human Development Index (HDI) extraordinarily.
But Biological Intelligence has to control the smarter non-biological. We need therefore develop and nurture infinite strengths within biological man. Mind training is quite naturally the option- it is in-built among people who are struggling & sweating it out– the MSME workers who contribute so much to the GDP, the farmers, the womenfolk and the common man and quite anyone else who realizes the physical body is man’s best & only lifelong friend. One does not have to be a philosopher to realize this profundity. Understanding Vedanta also implies being relentlessly at one with the meaning of Existence wrapped around energy. Energy grips men & women who physically and mentally remain alert through life’s ups and downs with opulence of gross, subtle and psychic energies. Homosapiens must be shaped to think and behave with such priorities. Sir Julian Huxley described these energies as ‘the science of human possibilities’. Technology on its own has sadly not led us to such possibilities.
Conclusion
Swami Ranganathananda Ji had expressed a need for IMAGINATIVE SYMPATHY in his address to the staff of the Karnataka State Secretariat in the Vidhan Sauda Conference Hall way back on 19th February 1970. Indians must regain lost individuality. Nation building, he had said, “…is a work for patriots, not for job-hunters; for seekers of dynamic spirituality and not for static piety-fringed worldliness; for men and women endowed with the spirit of service & not for puny self-centered careerists.” This same sage, it is reported, had had the tenacity to reprimand the highest authority in the early 1950s for limiting the role of Swami Vivekananda to just one paragraph in the first edition of his famous autobiography. In this 21st Century his advice carries global significance. Not everything that can be counted counts. And not everything that counts can be counted. Isaac Asimov had forewarned “a fundamental discontinuity is likely to occur with the incursive self-improvement modes: the likes of which I cannot begin to predict”. This discontinuity began several decades ago. It is now accelerated!
Who will finally control the future of the World in these turbulent circumstances? The emerging AI/ML propelled systems can no longer depend on substandard organizers’ levels of intelligence. The quality of this human race is so abysmal that we create only shoddy and second rate leaders. The powerful families in the World- the Koch ($ 125 billion), Walton ($ 242 billion), Rothschild ($ 500 billion) and Ambani ($ 94 billion) are discrete on their preferences at this turning point in history. They must be as concerned of the Future beyond 2060s when AI will have eclipsed HI with teeming graying populations. The highly paid employees of FB, Microsoft, and Open AI will become those Lab Assistants spiking brains of “Useless Classes” with nanobots. They will be asking folks to enter digital offices with flowers in hands for offer to the Big ChatGPT Machines saying “please make me part of your system”.
“A new Superhuman Caste”, says Author/Historian Yuval Noah Harari, “grilled in mischief worse than our current ruling elites may be in the making”. Anything is possible in a world previously ruled by unique leaders such as Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin and the obnoxious Richard M. Nixon. Nature appears to be saying to Man-made Artificial Intelligence thus: “Arise & attain honor AI/ML. Conquer the Human Race and enjoy prosperous hegemony. These Humans stand already slain by me as they continue to live in one-dimensional fantasies. You AI will only be an instrument of My Work as non-biological intelligence in lieu of the naïve biological I created eons ago & which I now destroy. So rise up Sir AI/ML with all your multi-diversity”.
Jai Jagannath
END NOTES
- Ray Kurzweil, Futurologist, Computer Scientist offering radical views on the Future of Homosapiens with onset of the 21st Century as humans “break shackles of genetic legacy to reach inconceivable heights of intelligence, material progress and longevity. His book “Singularity is Near-when humans transcend biology” (Penguin Books, 2006, NYT Bestseller)
- My Article “The Future f Homosapiens” (Part 1)-published in the August 2023 Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, GOL PAK, Kolkata (ISSN 0971-755, Vl LXXIV No 8. This Paper was an abridged version of my Surrendra Paul Memorial Lecture (Talk) delivered at e Vivekananda Hall, KMIC on 28th Dec 2022. – https://youtu.be/n1luLZ1vzf4
- Swami Ranganathananda Ji– Swami Ji was born on 15/12/1908 (Kerala) & passed away on 25th April 2005 (Calcutta) as 13th President of Rama Krishna Math & Mission. Few of his many small pamphlets, essays, lectures are : “Philosophy of Service”, “Ways to attain bliss in Old Age”, “Philosophy of Democratic Association”, “Swami Vivekananda ad Erasing of the Dividing Line”, “The Approach to Truth in Vedanta”, “Man the Known and Man the Unknown”. (Published & Printed by the RM Printers)
- Altruism: – Behavior of an animal that benefits another at its own expense; disinterested selfless concern for the well-being of others. Transhumanism: – the belief that human race can evolve beyond its current mental & physical limitations especially by means of Science & Technology. Founder: Max More writer, speaker and consultant has espoused the philosophy of Transhumanism since 1990s
- Max More initiated discussions on the philosophy of Transhumanism around 1990s. He advocates we cannot summarily ignore the big roles of economic and organizational factors linked to concurrent Information Technology, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology & other surges enveloping the world (Exhibit I)-check https://youtu.be/1xIQgBXw9-o?si=QHX3pGnZ5tVYuNg – he speaks on Transhumanism linked to Singularity and the probability of different surges occurring not necessarily in the projected technological unison of Kurzweil’s AI Singularity
- Thomas Bach, IOC President Addresses the Opening of 141st Session – https://youtu.be/UmKUCN_MZQl?si=qeP4mjELUsWG2n – “Change or be Changed”!
- Bruce H. Lipton: “The Biology of Beliefs” (HAY HOUSE NDIA (2019) – describes the precise molecular pathways trough which all cells of human body are affected by our thoughts. In context of our biological (DNA/Brain related studies) Dr. Lipton confirms most major human ailments are derived from environmentally induced epigenetic alterations and NOT defective genes. Thus it can be generally understood how our behaviors and environment are largely contributing the way our genes work and not vice versa. This enables my Paper’s search for convergence easier though I believe mine attempt has been a very amateurish presentation with scope for much improvement.
- MSME= Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (India) that allegedly employ 90% of India’s work force.
Prof. Partho S. Sengupta from fringes of Calcutta!
Behavioral Sciences Area/Master – NLP Trainer/Practitioner;
Former Member – Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC);
The writer can be reached at [email protected]
