I've always liked William James's update to Aristotle's point. He used the phrase "agree with reality," which nicely illustrates his metaphysics of relations. There is no point in talking about a universe separate from our experience of it, but that doesn't mean anything goes. Even though language can work against us, there is value it the attempt to have it fit our experience of the universe rather than think we can impose our understanding upon it by proclamation.
Even more interesting to me than that DeathStar tweet was Altman's recent "concerns" about AI being a bubble. I expect this is brilliant...he is the PT Barnum of our digital age. Despite being the chief bubble blower of AGI futures, this will let his followers point to Altman's prescient call if the AI investment bubble pops. As you say, it gives "the appearance of intelligence without its substance."
That first chapter of Kelly Kapic's book has deeply shaped my thinking on academia, what students need from us, and even how (and also, maybe whether) we should use AI. His claim that we've focused so much on "the Fall" that we forget limits were a feature, not a bug, was paradigm shifting for me.
(And, delightfully, today I gave a presentation to the faculty at my college where I quoted Kapic alongside your essay on making college contemplative again. Two ideas that are reshaping my approach to student learning this semester. :) )
"Put all things to the test; keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thess 5:21 With AI, like everything else we hear or read, we are to exercise prudence and use the minds God gave us.
"Prudense means practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it." C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
Thanks for the mention!
Glad to share your work. Thanks for writing. And I'm serious about the book! Trying my very hardest to keep bumping it up your priority list :)
I've always liked William James's update to Aristotle's point. He used the phrase "agree with reality," which nicely illustrates his metaphysics of relations. There is no point in talking about a universe separate from our experience of it, but that doesn't mean anything goes. Even though language can work against us, there is value it the attempt to have it fit our experience of the universe rather than think we can impose our understanding upon it by proclamation.
Even more interesting to me than that DeathStar tweet was Altman's recent "concerns" about AI being a bubble. I expect this is brilliant...he is the PT Barnum of our digital age. Despite being the chief bubble blower of AGI futures, this will let his followers point to Altman's prescient call if the AI investment bubble pops. As you say, it gives "the appearance of intelligence without its substance."
That first chapter of Kelly Kapic's book has deeply shaped my thinking on academia, what students need from us, and even how (and also, maybe whether) we should use AI. His claim that we've focused so much on "the Fall" that we forget limits were a feature, not a bug, was paradigm shifting for me.
(And, delightfully, today I gave a presentation to the faculty at my college where I quoted Kapic alongside your essay on making college contemplative again. Two ideas that are reshaping my approach to student learning this semester. :) )
"Put all things to the test; keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thess 5:21 With AI, like everything else we hear or read, we are to exercise prudence and use the minds God gave us.
"Prudense means practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it." C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
Thanks for these, Carol Ann. Ancient wisdom for modern times.