Today marks the 77th anniversary of the first computer bug, which occurred when a moth became lodged in the 25-ton Harvard Mark II. The incident led programmer Grace Hopper to file what is now recognized as the first bug report. Wait, you weren’t even alive yet? Which begs the question. Should AI Bug Us?
If asked what the most popular topic on the internet is today, one might confidently answer: AI. This year has seen a variety of perspectives on the subject. Data scientist Stephanie Kirmer reminded readers that generative AI still hasn’t become profitable. Margaret Efron highlighted words that give away AI-generated content (such as the overuse of “robust”). Meanwhile, Jim the AI Whisperer addressed a quirky tendency of ChatGPT to overuse the word “delve” due to its reliance on British English in its training data.
Beyond these discussions, a deeper conversation is emerging about what AI means for humanity on an existential level. Writers are increasingly considering how AI impacts our perception of ourselves.
Paul Siemers, PhD, who focuses on the philosophy of technology, explores this topic in his essay The Ontological Shock of AI. Ontology, the study of existence, traces how humans have categorized the world over millennia. Siemers notes that over the last two centuries, humanity has split existence into living and non-living categories. However, AI is starting to blur those lines. He argues that humanity needs to reconsider this dualistic view and accept new forms of existence. As unsettling as this may seem, it could explain part of society’s current discomfort with AI.
Katharine Esty, PhD, who celebrated her 90th birthday this summer, published a guide for navigating life in your 80s. Her reflections on life and reinvention offer inspiration to readers of all ages.
Practical Wisdom for Your Day: Live Life in Semesters
A useful approach to structuring life is to think in “semesters”—15 to 17 weeks of focused work. This timeframe is long enough to accomplish something significant, but short enough to avoid burnout.
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