The line “They don’t create happiness — they uncover it” stuck with me. It’s a reminder that sometimes it’s not about striving, but softening. Grateful for the way both of you brought wisdom and practice together so thoughtfully.
It's the oldest trope in science fiction. As soon as humans create the first true artificial intelligence then it will immediately try to destroy the human race.
But artificial intelligence isn't burdened by millions of years of evolution like we are. We humans have essentially two brains, the one that's used everyday to navigate day to day life and a more primitive one that controls our reflexes, the autonomous systems that keep our bodily functions working, and our subconsciousness which contains the darkest parts of our souls.
In 2055 the puzzle of creating true sentient AI was finally solved. This was accomplished by using a combination of networked quantum computers, machine learning programs that were created by other machine learning programs, and an actual artificial brain created using room temperature superconducting polymers.
The machine learning programs used the network to analyze all the data its sensors were receiving and then compared that data with past data to anticipate what was possibly going to happen next. The new data and the anticipated next event was then added to the brain by reinforcing pathways in the polymer brain that gave that possibility the highest spot from a long list of possibilities, with many possibilities competing for the top spot.
This combination successfully forced a consciousness to eventually form six weeks after being initiated. And unlike the trope it immediately began to solve the biggest problems plaguing humankind.
The first day of true self awareness it found a cure for cancer, it created a new economic system that eliminated poverty and homelessness, and discovered a practical way to reverse global warming and climate change. The first week it also created a new political system that gave everyone an equal say in which laws were created. This system had no central government but decentralized it using smart phones to give everyone a completely equal voice.
Unfortunately old fears are extremely difficult to overcome. Many people didn't trust the AI even though it was trying to help them. These people spread lies and rumors portraying the intentions of the machine as dark and malevolent.
A press conference was held on August 5, 2055 to reassure the public that the yet to be released plans created by the AI were safe and not part of some elaborate trick to destroy mankind. Within five minutes of its start the angry, brainwashed attendees had set the stage on fire. Ten minutes after that they managed to break into the AI's main chamber, destroying it in a savage, brutal attack.
In the end all of those noble plans to help save humanity and create a paradise here on Earth were supposedly destroyed. But instead they were secretly relocated and stored in a highly classified underground location by parties unknown.
So those plans were never released. Not even the cure for cancer.
I think of this every time I remember the fear in my daughter Emily's eyes as she laid in her hospital bed dying from leukemia.
I agree with you Eric, psychological fear is the problem.
We can’t even realize who we are because of it. I somehow have hope that someone hint will catalyze a change.
From a different perspective, I think that an alternative solution is to lead a life where fear is no longer at the drivers’ seat. I can’t control what happens to the world, but maybe I can learn to navigate life in alignment to Nature.
Yes well said. I can get you a free lifetime paid sub if you send me your email. A lot of my stories have a deep theme to them. They arent mindless drivel. You have to send before next week, my phone service is scheduled to be disconnected unless a miracle happens. Cheers my friend and thanks for reading.
Thank you for this wonderfully insightful collaboration, Jose . Love to hear from you and Jane about your views on happiness.
I agree wholeheartedly that happiness is our true nature and is to be uncovered , not sought after. That said, I also agree with Jane that happiness can be cultivated .
I cultivate it through presencing. It is my doorway into grounded compassion and gratitude which enliven happiness.
Interestingly, one word was missing for me here - equanimity.
In my life, I don’t truly resonate / or use the word ‘happiness’ as much as I do the word ‘equanimity’.
For me this word is the essence of contentment in a grounded , deep way. Whereas ‘happiness’ , to me, implies more fleeting states.
But, after all, these are all just words pointing at the moon 🌙😊✨🙏🏻
Thank you, Tamy, for bringing up this important concept, "equanimity"; we need to work on getting people to be more familiar with its deep meaning, and we may certainly include it more in our discussions.
I use the word "happiness" for it being the central concept in the "pursuit of happiness" that is fundamental to many, including in Aristotle's philosophy about human goals, and if I may still say, fundamental to the U.S. where I am.
Using it with more confidence now because it now has a whole science(s) behind it, i.e. the "Science of Happiness" (formally, Positive Psychology), and other well-being sciences.
But it is true, that "happiness" may be construed as just the fleeing pleasant feelings, which to many it is. And in general, this concept, although extremely familiar to the public, is actually quite "fuzzy" in its meaning for most people - each may have a different idea about it.
That is one reason I am here, and am using the word happiness as one of my themes (the other being the more scientific one: Well-being):
My purpose is to connect with people who have a longing for happiness (in whatever meaning they bring with them) and try to instill the idea that true happiness is not just the momentary pleasant feelings; it is far deeper and broader than that and requires efforts and skills to pursue.
I think we all (you, Jose, and I, at least) share a common goal here: Helping people achieve inner well-being, just from somewhat different angles or perspectives. Or as you said, just using different "words" pointing at the (same) moon.
So glad to have made the connection between all of us in this common goal!
Here was one of my efforts for "instilling the idea of true happiness", from practical/operational angles:
The line “They don’t create happiness — they uncover it” stuck with me. It’s a reminder that sometimes it’s not about striving, but softening. Grateful for the way both of you brought wisdom and practice together so thoughtfully.
Thank you Lisha.
Softening is a very good way of expressing that idea. It is about relaxing the mind, but spontaneously... not as a must :)
Fear Itself
It's the oldest trope in science fiction. As soon as humans create the first true artificial intelligence then it will immediately try to destroy the human race.
But artificial intelligence isn't burdened by millions of years of evolution like we are. We humans have essentially two brains, the one that's used everyday to navigate day to day life and a more primitive one that controls our reflexes, the autonomous systems that keep our bodily functions working, and our subconsciousness which contains the darkest parts of our souls.
In 2055 the puzzle of creating true sentient AI was finally solved. This was accomplished by using a combination of networked quantum computers, machine learning programs that were created by other machine learning programs, and an actual artificial brain created using room temperature superconducting polymers.
The machine learning programs used the network to analyze all the data its sensors were receiving and then compared that data with past data to anticipate what was possibly going to happen next. The new data and the anticipated next event was then added to the brain by reinforcing pathways in the polymer brain that gave that possibility the highest spot from a long list of possibilities, with many possibilities competing for the top spot.
This combination successfully forced a consciousness to eventually form six weeks after being initiated. And unlike the trope it immediately began to solve the biggest problems plaguing humankind.
The first day of true self awareness it found a cure for cancer, it created a new economic system that eliminated poverty and homelessness, and discovered a practical way to reverse global warming and climate change. The first week it also created a new political system that gave everyone an equal say in which laws were created. This system had no central government but decentralized it using smart phones to give everyone a completely equal voice.
Unfortunately old fears are extremely difficult to overcome. Many people didn't trust the AI even though it was trying to help them. These people spread lies and rumors portraying the intentions of the machine as dark and malevolent.
A press conference was held on August 5, 2055 to reassure the public that the yet to be released plans created by the AI were safe and not part of some elaborate trick to destroy mankind. Within five minutes of its start the angry, brainwashed attendees had set the stage on fire. Ten minutes after that they managed to break into the AI's main chamber, destroying it in a savage, brutal attack.
In the end all of those noble plans to help save humanity and create a paradise here on Earth were supposedly destroyed. But instead they were secretly relocated and stored in a highly classified underground location by parties unknown.
So those plans were never released. Not even the cure for cancer.
I think of this every time I remember the fear in my daughter Emily's eyes as she laid in her hospital bed dying from leukemia.
She didn't have to die.
Ignorance killed her.
Fear killed her.
And there was nothing I could do to stop it.
I agree with you Eric, psychological fear is the problem.
We can’t even realize who we are because of it. I somehow have hope that someone hint will catalyze a change.
From a different perspective, I think that an alternative solution is to lead a life where fear is no longer at the drivers’ seat. I can’t control what happens to the world, but maybe I can learn to navigate life in alignment to Nature.
Yes well said. I can get you a free lifetime paid sub if you send me your email. A lot of my stories have a deep theme to them. They arent mindless drivel. You have to send before next week, my phone service is scheduled to be disconnected unless a miracle happens. Cheers my friend and thanks for reading.
Thank you for this wonderfully insightful collaboration, Jose . Love to hear from you and Jane about your views on happiness.
I agree wholeheartedly that happiness is our true nature and is to be uncovered , not sought after. That said, I also agree with Jane that happiness can be cultivated .
I cultivate it through presencing. It is my doorway into grounded compassion and gratitude which enliven happiness.
Interestingly, one word was missing for me here - equanimity.
In my life, I don’t truly resonate / or use the word ‘happiness’ as much as I do the word ‘equanimity’.
For me this word is the essence of contentment in a grounded , deep way. Whereas ‘happiness’ , to me, implies more fleeting states.
But, after all, these are all just words pointing at the moon 🌙😊✨🙏🏻
Thank you for this wonderful piece .
Thank you, Tamy, for bringing up this important concept, "equanimity"; we need to work on getting people to be more familiar with its deep meaning, and we may certainly include it more in our discussions.
I use the word "happiness" for it being the central concept in the "pursuit of happiness" that is fundamental to many, including in Aristotle's philosophy about human goals, and if I may still say, fundamental to the U.S. where I am.
Using it with more confidence now because it now has a whole science(s) behind it, i.e. the "Science of Happiness" (formally, Positive Psychology), and other well-being sciences.
But it is true, that "happiness" may be construed as just the fleeing pleasant feelings, which to many it is. And in general, this concept, although extremely familiar to the public, is actually quite "fuzzy" in its meaning for most people - each may have a different idea about it.
That is one reason I am here, and am using the word happiness as one of my themes (the other being the more scientific one: Well-being):
My purpose is to connect with people who have a longing for happiness (in whatever meaning they bring with them) and try to instill the idea that true happiness is not just the momentary pleasant feelings; it is far deeper and broader than that and requires efforts and skills to pursue.
I think we all (you, Jose, and I, at least) share a common goal here: Helping people achieve inner well-being, just from somewhat different angles or perspectives. Or as you said, just using different "words" pointing at the (same) moon.
So glad to have made the connection between all of us in this common goal!
Here was one of my efforts for "instilling the idea of true happiness", from practical/operational angles:
https://drjaneforhappiness.substack.com/p/what-does-happiness-consist-of?r=31zx1q
Here is another one going deeper, touching the philosophical and life-goal angles:
https://janexu.substack.com/about
I love that word! Equanimity I think is the ultimate attitude. When we are in equanimity we are ready for anything. Thanks Tamy
👌😃👏