He starts by recounting the concerns of many decorated researchers and well known thinkers (from Marx to Hofstadter) at the prospect of vaster intellectual automation replacing the effort of humans; but Harvey argues that’s “misplaced machismo” to inherently care for the struggle — he indirectly raises the question of whether romanticisation of struggle was perhaps just a coping mechanism in a world where discovery necessitated persevering through significant hardship.
Despite preemptively grieving for cultural loss, he suggests areas where that effort still might remain important, namely as a way to express love—struggle being the proof. He also recognises that perhaps AGI will enable richer coexistence with loved ones by providing more time and by increasing the scope of expression. He also highlights the potential for AGI to provide more ways to “self fashion” with intent (which, to me, echoes Harry Frankfurt arguments about second order desire deliberation defining the essence of the human experience).
Although he maintains optimism, the article reads as someone coming to terms with the imminent passing of a loved one. He anticipates a lot of cultural grief.
Also, altho he talks a bit about art and ai, I think he vastly underestimates the role of solidarity in shared human struggle and provenance shen it comes to understanding why art matters. I keep getting the sense from many technologists lately that they primarily conceive of art as something that should primarily impress and delight. This is very different to how I relate to art and what makes it meaningful.
Overall a thoughtful essay with interesting references. I’d be very interested to hear a similar essay from a more diverse set of thinkers, especially spanning different social classes and countries.
Other notes:
- the rapid obsolescence of William Shank’s work is striking - grief for the loss of gossip at the water fountains is an interesting image, tho with my econometrics hat on I find it funny: i imagine gossip has vastly increased with the internet. But I think that’s being a bit silly on my end, I think he’s really just using that as an image to convey the holistic nature of integration between people and their social & built environment in certain places and times. - the bitterness of kids not knowing how easy they have it reminds me of Noah Smith’s essay on Shallower Futures.
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Despite preemptively grieving for cultural loss, he suggests areas where that effort still might remain important, namely as a way to express love—struggle being the proof. He also recognises that perhaps AGI will enable richer coexistence with loved ones by providing more time and by increasing the scope of expression. He also highlights the potential for AGI to provide more ways to “self fashion” with intent (which, to me, echoes Harry Frankfurt arguments about second order desire deliberation defining the essence of the human experience).
Although he maintains optimism, the article reads as someone coming to terms with the imminent passing of a loved one. He anticipates a lot of cultural grief.
Also, altho he talks a bit about art and ai, I think he vastly underestimates the role of solidarity in shared human struggle and provenance shen it comes to understanding why art matters. I keep getting the sense from many technologists lately that they primarily conceive of art as something that should primarily impress and delight. This is very different to how I relate to art and what makes it meaningful.
Overall a thoughtful essay with interesting references. I’d be very interested to hear a similar essay from a more diverse set of thinkers, especially spanning different social classes and countries.
Other notes:
- the rapid obsolescence of William Shank’s work is striking
- grief for the loss of gossip at the water fountains is an interesting image, tho with my econometrics hat on I find it funny: i imagine gossip has vastly increased with the internet. But I think that’s being a bit silly on my end, I think he’s really just using that as an image to convey the holistic nature of integration between people and their social & built environment in certain places and times.
- the bitterness of kids not knowing how easy they have it reminds me of Noah Smith’s essay on Shallower Futures.