Michael Sauers

December 29, 2024

It is remarkable that the human brain can compartmentalize and therefore avoid recognizing and dealing with the trauma of our world. Some can’t and they exist in varying stages of emotional, physical and mental distress. Eventually, everyone has to deal with the monsters of their existence.

Technology brings the world into our lives in a never ending stream. Pick your poison(s). There is no shortage. Watching the world torture itself is difficult on the mind, body and spirit. It requires diversionary management that comes in a variety of forms. Again, take your pick.

As an older person, I feel that I have an advantage over younger generations. We did not have any of the modern means of communication. TV was relatively new and phones were firmly planted in homes. We were not able to ask a devise for help. We could, of course, ask a parent, coach, teacher or community member. We had libraries that required rudimentary skills to navigate. In essence we did a lot more thinking for ourselves.

Succeeding generations came to gradually rely on more and more sophisticated technology to do work for them. Now we are truly facing a dramatic advancement in technology. Enter the realm of artificial intelligence. For good or bad it is now becoming part of everyday life. At times it is a bit difficult to keep up with so being an independent thinker comes into play.

Boomers will edge out of this relatively unscathed. Our children and grandchildren will be mired in it. To them, especially today’s children, it will be normal operating procedure. Hopefully they will master it and not be mastered by it.

Artificial intelligence has a huge profit incentive. It has the potential to be controlling but perhaps not. Did anyone ask for this? Did we take part in its development and applications?

It is truly a brave new world!