Latest Breaking News
In reply to the discussion: AI revolt: New ChatGPT model refuses to shut down when instructed [View all]moniss
(7,531 posts)have pushed for turning over things like running chemical plants, power plants, food processing, communication systems etc. to their "creations". Given these developments the warnings from a few years ago by some of the early developers in AI now ring more clearly. They said things were moving too fast and that this was going to be something powerful beyond our understanding at this point and they called for strong restriction and regulation. Of course we got none of that protection since people saw trillions of dollars to be made and immense power over people and markets in the coming years.
Many people think of Mary Shelley and think only of the word "Frankenstein" but the actual title to the book was "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus". They forget that last part and what the Greek mythology of Prometheus was about when he went against Zeus and gave humans the knowledge of things that Zeus had forbidden. Shelley didn't just make the point about creating a monster per se but also the larger picture as a warning about humans "over-reaching" and not being able to control what they have created.
Many years ago I had the pleasure of taking a course regarding this and other moral/social/legal dilemmas team taught by 2 wonderful professors. One from the English department, Professor Kathleen Woodward, and one from the Anthropology department, Professor Newtol Press. Both extraordinary. The course section for them was titled "Frankenstein Revisited". We covered these sorts of questions and Professor Press in particular cautioned about the power of Madison Avenue/corporate power/manipulated markets/government to take us down a road that subjugates humans to completely responding not to their own thoughts or exploring their own creativity and desires but to thoughts and desires etc. created and placed within them by those malign forces. Now here we are with people buying ever increasing amounts of.....what? Doing increasing amounts of........what? Is it because they thought it or was it "presented" to them all for a low monthly payment for example?
On the title page of the original volume of Mary Shelley's book under the title and description she includes the following from Milton:
"Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould me man? Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?-------------
Paradise Lost.
Edit history
Recommendations
7 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):