Slave to the Machine
“As machines become more and more efficient and perfect, so it will become clear that imperfection is the greatness of man”
Ernst Fischer
“If dreams create gods to reason man’s conscious and reptilian brain, then evolution created machines to realise humanity’s finite limitations.”
machine@atmospherica
“Everything comes at once in my head its hard to let love and let live.”
Scientists, Engineers, Scholars, Futurists & Technologists have predicted, designed, and delivered an age of technological advancement where machines permeate every aspect of human life. The reasoning is efficiencies that enrich the quality of life.
The human “race” in the digital age has accelerated artificial intelligence and machine learning at a staggering rate. Microscopic and mega machines are proliferating into every aspect of Earth's natural existence faster than could ever be envisaged or obtained by human computation.
This rapid digital advancement has caused mass social disruption as humanity tries to digest the sheer volume of information contending for attention. Traditional wisdom, skills and mastery are being challenged by the application of machines in a new digital paradigm indistinguishable from the analogue.
Humankind developed language, visual, aural, and written communication scribed or printed on paper to exchange information. Powerful mobile handheld computing devices interconnected to vast converging networks have replaced books as the preferred medium of information consumption.
These mobile devices are highly addictive. The quality of this information on tap can be compromised for impure intent to spread propaganda and influence. Digital mass media platforms (Social Networks) exploit the very nature of every human trait and emotion, from tribalism and fear to love and vanity.
All the classical information of human knowledge is being digitised into public and private databases for prosperity to be remediated. The “Machine” consumes this all-encompassing information of humanity's achievements as food for artificial intelligence. What will happen when this paradigm is incorporated into deep learning predictive algorithms and neural networks. Humans are growing organs, organic & synthetic memory now totally unregulated.
So the question we must ask is if the database that AI draws upon defines its algorithmic learning parameters and if all classical information is being digitised with the computation potential of machines far beyond that of humans, then isn’t it logical that machine learning will have sociological consequences far beyond any human could be envisioned?
As democracy is being algorithmically hacked through influence and the lack of politicians with the the mental capacity or ability to realise the ramifications of such complex issues, legislation, regulation & political will is far behind the acceleration of the technology.
Some disastrous examples are Robo debt implemented by the Australian government, an automated welfare debt recovery system that caused suicide and anguish implemented despite all technical assurances it was illegal.
The proliferation of bots over social media networks to influence the 2016 & 2020 presidential election in the USA
“The practical difference between knowledge and wisdom is how information is applied in empathy to our planet and all that exists within”.
machine@atmospherica
“Weight of the world comes tumbling down, all outa fucks to give”.
“The weight of knowledge is too great for one mind to absorb.”
John Stienbeck
“Knowledge is a burden--once taken up, it can never be discarded.”
Stephen Lawhead
Access to volumes of information serves no practical purpose unless it can be applied to identifying or solving an existing problem or challenging a current system or regime.
“Perspective is not a science but a hope.”
John Berger
“Stating the obvious” with perspective without offering a sound alternative may well identify and amplify the urgency of impending consequences; however, it serves as fuel for “Agenda Attachment” in the information and culture wars.
So many things are wrong with the world today that it's hard to know where to start. What cause is more deserving? What injustice is the most abhorrent? The world's weight can sometimes make you feel impotent about everything and want to give up.
Traditional Journalism reporting of facts has been replaced by unqualified opinions and vested interest lobbyists posing as experts. The digitisation of news has seen once great trusted brands with sub-editors replaced by clickbait subscription models using division (us & them) faux outrage, sensationalism, lies and blame to evoke fear in readers and generate engagement to sell unsustainable consumerism.
“We are governed, our minds are moulded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.”
“Propaganda is the executive arm of the invisible government.”
Edward Bernays
The wide-ranging effects of traditional journalism's demise are ironic in an information age and have led to the dilution of credibility and general mistrust in the profession. The fallout in society has led to stress, anxiety, faux outrage, violence, conspiracy theories, erosion of democracy, divisive rhetoric, corruption of morality and general social dislocation.
The outrage blame model, perfected by Rupert Murdoch, is the oldest play in the book. It's very profitable and efficient and has spread rapidly using algorithms and bot technology on social media platforms. Fox and News Limited build “legals” for litigation into their business model. Murdoch Trump exploits the formula.
Moving too fast, painfully slow, burning it down, watching it grow, where will it end? We’ll never know.
“The Speed of life is directly proportional to your own pace in the here and now, unencumbered by the morality and expectation of anyone but yourself.”
Machine@atmospherica
Change is inevitable, yet the more things change, the more they stay the same. For some, change is blocked by prejudiced ignorance; for others, these factors are used to effect change. The Status Quo can be steeped in deep sociological traditions or financial insecurity from generations accepting that’s just the way it is. Insecurity and fear are always used to convince people to act against their own interests.
“That’s just the way it is. Some things will never change but don't you believe it”.
Bruce Hornsby
Just like big tobacco and sugar, lobbyists for fossil fuel cartels have continued to try and convince people that climate change is a hoax and renewables will leave them in the dark, cold, shivering, and penniless.
The reality is that technologies like Micro Generation, are available now, and electricity should be free. The reality is that since the beginning of the industrial revolution (1750), humans have been pumping cacogenic toxic chemicals into the environment unfettered & unregulated at the expense of all that exists on planet Earth.
Wildfires, extreme weather events, microplastics in the water supply and deforestation have a cumulative effect on global warming, a travesty of social justice.
What’s in your head? Are you clean? What’s in your head? Are you mean?
The moralists and those of vested interest usually profit most from class and culture wars.
“Follow the Money”
All the Presidents Men
It's crucial to employ critical thinking to qualify statements relevant to your situation claim to be fact. If doubt is your first instinct, then rationalise the benefit of it. The Machine gains from engagement and feeds on outrage; don't feed the animals. Trust is based on motivation and tangible acts.
Slave to the machine, on the grind
The Machine is every organism and every system in the analogue and digital consciousness. Everything we perceive is a modular component of the machine hardwired to its servitude.
Hiding Emotion, Selling the potions, All in the motion, Having the lotion Selling happy Distract your sadness.
If we live in digital illusion, the analogue is lost behind an avatar we project to others as the ideal self. Consumerism preys on human frailty, exploiting vanities, doubts & insecurities we all hold. The hard sell of capitalism is rooted in envy of social capital in tribalism and selling to the illusion of perpetual happiness. The truth is that no one possession can make you happy. No pill or potion can sustain the digital illusion within the machine. It’s all just a temporary distraction from reality.
Are you a sinner? Are you a Saint? Are you for real? Genuine fake? What is your Kink? Do you believe?
Humans spend their life playing or desiring to play roles within the machine. Deeper connection and love are all defined by the machine. We live and breathe within the machine’s reliance, aspiring to climb the social status to become a big cog.
Humans make mistakes; however, authenticity is owning and learning from misgivings. The term “influencer” has crept into digital culture and has become synonymous with capitalist product placement. Populist culture is geared to influence people, sometimes against their own interests, for money and power. Perversion of power and corruption for money is morally irreprehensible. This cancer corroding will ultimately destroy the machine and all within it.
What’s in your head? Are you clean? What’s in your head? Are you mean?
Make an informed choice despite all your mistakes, misgivings, faults, and fallibilities. Are you part of the solution or the problem?