The choices we make. Becoming someone new. The spirituality of science. Technology isn't new. Changing the way you read. Tools should be useful. The slow death of a friendship.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
– Arthur C. Clarke
One of this weeks random links is a list of 5 AI-proof skills. As a clickbait headline might say, “#1 will surprise you!”. Thanks to Randy over at This is True for mentioning it in his weekly weird news newsletter. He happens to agree with #1 as he’s been making that recommendation for years, just as I have.
1. “An informed public would make different choices.”
Who Benefits From Us Not Knowing the Full Picture? – Hana Lee Goldin, MLIS – (Card Catalog)
Information asymmetry is the difference between what you know (or have been told) and the truth (or the knowledge of experts in a field). This essay dives into the implications.
Many knowledge gaps serve us rather than disempower us, and complex societies couldn’t run without them. We rely on exactly this kind of gap every time we trust an expert to know what we don’t.
…
What separates a functional asymmetry from an exploitative one is whether the person holding more knowledge is using that advantage to serve the relationship or to exploit the gap.
There’s a lot of gap exploiting going on these days. There always has been, of course, but it seems particularly bad right now. The essay includes four concrete questions you can ask about the information you’re being provided. You just have to make the effort to ask the questions.
(PS: I’m finding Card Catalog a particularly interesting and valuable resource of late.)
Do this: Ask the question.
#information #information-gap #information-asymmetry
Support 7 Takeaways
(Or just forward this to a friend; that helps too.)
2. “Old age is an undiscovered country.”
I’m Still Becoming Someone New At 81 – Gary Buzzard – (Enjoy the Moment)
For too many people reaching a certain age is considered the beginning of the end.
If we can ignore all the old age stereotypes our culture has spoon-fed us since we were children, we will be open to the hidden opportunities old age brings. I am growing and doing new things at 81, and I know many of you are too.
In reality it’s a time full of opportunity. Buzzard shares his own story of becoming a writer, but the advice is simple: “Choose something you would love to do and begin doing it. Jump in.”
In other words, don’t stop living.
Do this: Live.
3. “Science … is a profound source of spirituality.”
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark – Carl Sagan – (ebook)
I’m finding Sagan’s 1996 book extremely fascinating, mostly because of how prescient he seemed to be. Many of the anti-science positions we hear of today, for example, if not predicted were at least of some concern to Sagan.
There’s a perception that science and spirituality are at odd. His position is a little different.
Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light-years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual.
It’s not the “there must be a god” kind of spirituality, but rather a deep sense of awe at the existence of the universe and our tiny place in it.
Do this: Consider the universe.
4. “Real artists have always used technology”
Real artists… – Seth Godin – (Blog)
This. So much this. Godin lists a number of famous artists and the technologies that they used, even in the face of “real artists don’t use….”.
What they have in common is intent, responsibility, and the ability to create a feeling in the audience.
Almost every new technology is met with skepticism and even fear. And, indeed, every new technology brings with it waves of change — sometimes small, sometimes tidal. The trick is to figure out how to use the technology in a way that is true to your goals, artistic or otherwise. Just as I’ve long said that writing software (“coding”) can be a true art form, I’m fairly convinced that instructing AI (“prompting”) to generate specific and meaningful results can also be considered an art form as well.
We’ll see.
Do this: Learn and use technology appropriately; don’t avoid it out of fear.
5. “If you want to change the way you think, you have to change the way you read.”
How To Become Dangerously Self-Educated (with AI) – Sandeep Swadia – (YouTube)
The “with AI” part of this is interesting — using it as a tool leading to deeper understanding rather than the more common summarization — but the overall message here is specifically about reading better. That’s something I suspect we can all do.
So the question isn’t whether a book changes the world. It can. The question is whether it changes you.
Swadia presents his “ACTOR” framework for deeper, better reading. It’s a fine framework, and there are several insights along the way. My take, however, is simply that any framework that get you to read and think more deeply is worth adopting. We’re in desperate need of deeper thinkers, and readers. Being one will set you apart.
Do this: Read and think more, and more deeply.
6. “A new Tower of Babel built out of GPUs.”
The Pope vs. Silicon Valley – Cal Newport – (Blog)
Newport calls out the almost religious fervor with which AI company leaders have been evangelizing (literally) their efforts. He also notes that some of the original predictions and statements by these same individuals are slowly being walked back somewhat.
Tools should be useful. Tools should help people’s lives and build up the “common good.” Tools are what technology companies should seek to create.
I think it’s the “common good” that is perhaps the most ill-defined as there are so many competing concepts of just what that might mean.
Do this: Use your tools responsibly.
7. “Some friendships should die as we change and grow.”
Letting friendships die – David Sleeth-Keppler – (Psyche)
Honestly, this has been one of the harder lessons of my own life. Friendships aren’t always meant to last forever, and that’s OK. Among other things I use that to rationalize the times I’ve been ghosted over the years. Given that I’ve done close to the same, I get it now.
Maybe when friendship requires constant work – when connection demands commitment rather than growth – something has already died. We just keep performing the rituals anyway.
I know the current crisis is more about not having enough friendships, and that’s very true. But maintaining a friendship that’s on life-support is a different kind of drag on our well being that needs to be acknowledged as well. My rule of thumb is simple: not dreading the get-together, and picking up as if no time had passed as all.
Do this: Be someone’s friend.
Random Links
- These 5 skills are AI-proof and likely to become more valuable ‘over the next 5 years,’ says Oxford-trained career expert – All good. #1 is my favorite.
What I’m reading now
- Carl’s Doomsday Scenario: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 – Matt Dinniman
- Good Writing: 36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences – Neal Allen, Anne Lamott
- The Way of Kings: Book One of the Stormlight Archive – Brandon Sanderson
- The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke – (Audio)
- The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark – Carl Sagan
My Reading List – everything I’ve read since 2021.
My Sources Page – the common sources I scan/read regularly.
Support 7 Takeaways
Your support helps keep 7 Takeaways viable. I appreciate your consideration VERY much. I have options for recurring Support (Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly options) as well as one-time support over in The Ask Leo! (my “day job”) store. Purchasing any of the books using the links on my Reading List also helps.
Another thing that really helps is sharing 7 Takeaways with a friend. Just forward this email on. And if you received this email from a friend, you can subscribe at 7takeaways.com to get your own copy every Sunday.
Thanks!
If you’re having difficulty viewing this email, visit 7takeaways.com/latest.
If a link to a source above leads you to a paywall, please read my note on paywalls.
Some links above may be affiliate links.
If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe at 7takeaways.com.
Actually it was #5 on the list that surprised me. (RE: Random Links)