Future of Artificial Intelligence

[Scott 2]

The process really highlights how low information density is in a podcast. I largely stopped listening to them, because of that.

One use of AI in a corporate setting, is generating meeting notes. It does ok, but there's a lot of implicit context the AI is blind to. That makes increasing information density (similar to a podcast to article) tough.


From the AI's perspective, text vs. speech isn't dramatically different. The input/output factors are well understood problems. It's a question of what's in the tokenized input, and how well the model can transform it the new desired set of tokens.

I found this book to be a reasonably accessible overview:

https://www.manning.com/books/how-gpt-w ... =serp_auto

It has me much less concerned about a true runaway AI, while recognizing everything is going to change.

[Ego]

A simple test to whether the asymmetry holds is whether there are also tools that can generate an article from three conversations, now that we've seen it the other way around. I still doubt that because to me written posts contain substantially more information as well as more complications than conversations.

Here is a briefing doc generated by NotebookLM for your two Stoa youtube videos. It can also generate a study guide, FAQs, a table of contents and a timeline in addition to the podcast highlighted earlier. Could be useful for someone who does not want to watch a few hours of video.

Briefing Doc: Resilient Lifestyle Design and Solving the Meta-Crisis
Main Themes:

Transitioning from consumerist to post-consumerist lifestyles: This involves shifting from dependence on external systems (jobs, markets) to developing self-reliance and resilience through diverse skillsets and interconnected resource flows.
Systems thinking: This approach emphasizes understanding the interconnectedness of different aspects of life and designing solutions that address multiple goals simultaneously.
Emergent movements: Individual change, when aligned with actionable plans and diverse motivations, can lead to broader societal shifts.
Addressing the meta-crisis: This refers to tackling the complex, interconnected global challenges of our time, such as climate change, economic instability, and societal fragmentation.
Most Important Ideas/Facts:

From "A Systems Approach to Resilient Lifestyle Design w/ Jacob Lund Fisker":

Lifestyle Design: A deliberate process of shaping one's life and way of living, moving beyond societal defaults.
The Salary-Consumer Model: This dominant model emphasizes specialized jobs and consumption-driven spending, leading to fragility and waste.
Skill Development: Transitioning to a resilient lifestyle requires developing diverse skills beyond specialized employment, enabling greater self-reliance and reduced dependence on external systems.
The "Diamond Model": This model represents an interconnected system where resources (time, skills, materials, etc.) flow within a closed loop, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.
Plato's Cave Allegory: This allegory serves as a metaphor for moving beyond the limitations of consumerist thinking and embracing new ways of perceiving and interacting with the world.
Quotes:

"The money will sort of follow from [a resilient lifestyle] automatically."
"Anything that's like super specialized here is is not resilient."
"You can never do just one thing. Whenever you do some activity that always has some side effects, some waste."
"The attitude towards spending [in a post-consumer system] is also something that has changed significantly... Now you see it more as more as a kind of friction, as a sign of... a bad philosophy in life."
From "Resolving the Meta-Crisis With Emergent Movements and Post-Consumerist Praxis w/ Jacob Lund Fisker":

The Meta-Crisis as a Failure of Scope: People tend to focus on short-term, local concerns, making it difficult to address large-scale, long-term problems.
Individual vs. Societal Solutions: Both individual and societal approaches are necessary to address the meta-crisis, but often struggle due to limitations in scope and implementation challenges.
The Importance of Transdisciplinary Knowledge: Developing expertise in multiple, diverse fields allows individuals to connect seemingly disparate ideas and create novel solutions.
Designing for Emergent Movements: Effective solutions must consider human limitations, provide individual benefits even without widespread adoption, and offer a clear path for transition from the present to a desired future.
Ethical Considerations: Solutions should be honest, sustainable, and respect individual agency, avoiding unintended negative consequences.
Quotes:

"Resolving the meta-crisis... requires... considering [the personal, the societal, and the terrain] simultaneously."
"Human knowledge has been divided and conquered... by the system that sits on top of us."
"[We need] to make more meaning-making errors and... become jack of more traits and mastering some of them."
"[The plan] has to work for a specific individual within the current system... [and] for all individuals if everybody does it."
"[Solutions] have to respect human limits and maintain solution integrity even when it's misinterpreted."
Key Takeaways:

Building a resilient lifestyle requires a shift in mindset and skills, focusing on self-reliance, interconnectedness, and long-term thinking.
Individual solutions, when designed strategically, can contribute to emergent movements that address larger societal problems.
Solving the meta-crisis demands collaborative efforts that bridge the gap between individual and societal approaches, while respecting human limitations and ethical considerations.
Further Research:

Explore Jacob Lund Fisker's blog and forum for further insights into resilient lifestyle design and the FIRE movement.
Investigate concepts such as "systems thinking," "transdisciplinary knowledge," and "emergent movements" for a deeper understanding of the proposed solutions.
Research organizations and initiatives working on specific meta-crisis issues to explore potential avenues for involvement.

[jacob]

Here is a briefing doc generated by NotebookLM for your two Stoa youtube videos. It can also generate a study guide, FAQs, a table of contents and a timeline in addition to the podcast highlighted earlier. Could be useful for someone who does not want to watch a few hours of video.

The thing is I'd like to see an article. Figure that I was talking for an hour at 100WPM then that's 6000 words of raw material for each presentation, so I'm generously looking for an article that's 1500 words for a 4x reduction that convincingly argues the point I was making. If generative AI can do an adequate job of that compared to what I am able to write myself, it's time to hang up my [writing] gloves.

While AI typically gets the subject and the resulting words right, the main give away of AI writing tends to be that it lacks depth (it's shallow) in terms of the skeleton of the argument and double down by filling up the space with platitudes. It's like listening to a sales rep or a politicians talking in circles w/o saying much when asked a question they don't know the answer to. In short, the actual information density is low. There's a lack of "surprising" details like a high school essay demonstrating no actual [life-]experience about the topic they've been forced to write about.

[Scott 2]

I had a lazy go at it:

A Systems Approach to Resilient Lifestyle Design: Beyond Consumerism

In an era marked by escalating environmental crises, economic instability, and societal upheavals, the need for resilient lifestyle design has never been more pressing. Jacob Lund Fisker, author of Early Retirement Extreme, presents a compelling argument for adopting a systems approach to lifestyle design that emphasizes resilience, self-reliance, and sustainability. By critically examining our entrenched consumerist habits and embracing systems thinking, individuals can not only achieve financial independence but also contribute to a more robust and adaptable society.

The Salary Consumer Paradigm: A Fragile Foundation

The traditional consumerist model, which Fisker terms the "salary consumer" paradigm, is predicated on a linear and compartmentalized approach to living. Individuals typically specialize in a narrow set of skills to perform a job that yields monetary compensation. This income is then exchanged for goods and services, often without consideration of the interconnectedness of various aspects of life or the broader environmental and societal impacts.

This model is inherently fragile due to its heavy reliance on external systems for basic needs. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly illustrated this vulnerability as supply chain disruptions led to shortages and individuals found themselves ill-equipped to meet their own needs without external support. The salary consumer is bound by a cycle of earning and spending that leaves little room for adaptability or resilience in the face of systemic shocks.

Transitioning to Advanced and Deliberate Consumption

Recognizing the limitations of the salary consumer model, some individuals progress to what Fisker describes as the "advanced salary consumer" stage. In this phase, people begin to optimize their finances through budgeting, saving, and strategic spending. They might invest in financial instruments and start to consider the long-term implications of their economic choices. However, their lifestyle remains fundamentally tied to the consumerist framework, and they continue to depend on external systems for most of their needs.

Further along this spectrum is the "deliberate consumer." Individuals at this stage start to develop a broader skill set and seek to obtain different yields beyond mere financial gain. They might engage in activities like gardening, repairing their own goods, or developing side gigs that provide alternative sources of income or value. Their approach to spending shifts from consumption to investment in their own capabilities and resources.

Post-Consumer Systems and the Power of Systems Thinking

The culmination of this progression is the adoption of a "post-consumer system," wherein individuals fully integrate systems thinking into their lifestyle design. Systems thinking involves understanding the complex interdependencies between different components of one's life and optimizing them for resilience and sustainability.

In a post-consumer system, activities are interconnected in a way that each action serves multiple purposes and contributes to the overall resilience of the individual’s lifestyle. For example, gardening not only provides food but also contributes to physical health, reduces grocery expenses, and can even serve as a social activity. This integrated approach reduces waste, lowers dependency on external systems, and enhances the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances.

Fisker introduces the concept of the "web of goals," a multidimensional network where various life activities support and reinforce each other. This web creates a resilient structure that can withstand disruptions because the failure of one component does not collapse the entire system.

Skill Development and the Learning Curve

A critical aspect of transitioning to a resilient lifestyle is the development of a broad skill base. Fisker outlines a learning curve that progresses from imitation to innovation:

1. Copying: Imitating existing models or instructions without understanding the underlying principles.


2. Comparing: Evaluating different models to understand their relative merits.


3. Compiling: Gathering various methods and strategies to create a personalized approach.


4. Computing: Applying knowledge contextually to solve problems and make decisions.


5. Coordinating: Integrating multiple skills and knowledge areas to achieve complex goals.


6. Creating: Innovating new solutions and systems.



By advancing along this curve, individuals become more capable of addressing their needs without relying solely on external services. This not only leads to financial savings but also enhances personal autonomy and adaptability.

Philosophical Perspectives: Escaping Plato's Cave

Fisker employs Plato's Allegory of the Cave as a metaphor for the consumerist paradigm. In the allegory, prisoners are confined to a cave, perceiving reality only through shadows projected on a wall. Similarly, consumers are often confined by societal norms and marketing influences, perceiving needs and desires shaped by external forces rather than intrinsic values.

Escaping the "cave" requires a fundamental shift in perception and understanding. However, those who attempt to leave may face resistance or incomprehension from others still within the consumerist mindset. This highlights the psychological and social challenges inherent in adopting a radically different lifestyle.

The Wheaton Levels: Navigating the Transition

To facilitate the transition between different levels of consumerism and self-reliance, Fisker introduces the concept of "Wheaton Levels," a framework that delineates stages of understanding and practice. Each level represents a significant shift in mindset and capability, and progression requires both learning and unlearning.

Key principles of the Wheaton Levels include:

Incremental Progress: One cannot skip levels; each stage builds upon the previous one.

Relative Perspective: Individuals tend to see those one level ahead as inspiring and those several levels ahead as extreme or unrealistic.

Community Dynamics: People often struggle to understand or accept those at significantly different levels, leading to social friction.


Understanding this framework can help individuals navigate their own transitions and manage expectations regarding how others may perceive their choices.

Practical Steps Towards Resilient Lifestyle Design

Fisker offers several practical strategies for individuals seeking to adopt a systems approach:

1. Buy Nothing Year: Committing to a year of purchasing only essential items forces a reevaluation of needs versus wants and encourages finding creative solutions to problems.


2. Minimalism: Reducing possessions to the essentials simplifies life and reduces dependency on consumer goods.


3. Zero Waste: Focusing on reducing waste leads to more sustainable consumption patterns and a greater appreciation for resource cycles.


4. Maker Culture: Engaging in DIY projects and learning to repair and create items fosters self-reliance and skill development.


5. Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE): Prioritizing savings and investments to achieve financial independence shifts focus from consumption to long-term security.


6. Permaculture: Adopting agricultural practices that work with natural systems promotes sustainability and provides direct benefits such as homegrown food.



Implementing these strategies requires adopting systems thinking to ensure that each action contributes to multiple aspects of resilience and well-being.

Individual and Community Approaches to Change

While individual actions are crucial, Fisker acknowledges the limitations of solely personal efforts. Sustainable change often requires community involvement to address systemic issues and create supportive networks.

There is a tension between individualistic approaches, which emphasize personal autonomy and self-reliance, and community-based approaches, which focus on collective action and shared resources. Fisker suggests that integrating both perspectives is essential for meaningful and lasting change.

Communities can amplify the impact of individual efforts by sharing knowledge, resources, and support. Conversely, individuals can bring innovative ideas and practices to communities, fostering a culture of resilience and adaptability.

Conclusion: Embracing a Resilient Future

Jacob Lund Fisker's systems approach to resilient lifestyle design offers a transformative pathway for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern world. By moving beyond the limitations of the consumerist paradigm and embracing systems thinking, individuals can develop lifestyles that are not only financially sustainable but also environmentally responsible and personally fulfilling.

This approach requires a willingness to challenge societal norms, invest in skill development, and think critically about the interconnectedness of various aspects of life. While the journey may present challenges, the rewards include greater autonomy, resilience, and the potential to contribute.

[Scott 2]

Decided to erase Jacob. I'm the expert now! No idea if the references are real. They sure look good though:

A Systems Approach to Resilient Lifestyle Design

In an era marked by economic volatility, environmental degradation, and social upheaval, the quest for a resilient lifestyle has never been more pressing. Traditional consumerist models, characterized by high levels of consumption and waste, are increasingly proving unsustainable. This article explores a systems approach to lifestyle design that emphasizes resilience, self-reliance, and sustainability, drawing on interdisciplinary insights from systems thinking, ecology, economics, and philosophy.

The Limitations of the Salary Consumer Model

The prevailing lifestyle in developed nations is often centered around the "salary consumer" model. In this paradigm, individuals specialize in a particular job to maximize income, which they then use to purchase goods and services to meet their needs and desires. This model is underpinned by the principles of comparative advantage and specialization from orthodox economic theory, which suggest that individuals and societies benefit when everyone focuses on what they do best.

However, this approach has significant limitations. It creates a high degree of interdependence and reliance on complex supply chains that are vulnerable to disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, exposed the fragility of these systems, as lockdowns and economic shutdowns led to shortages and unemployment. Furthermore, this model encourages a cycle of consumption that generates excessive waste, contributing to environmental problems such as pollution and climate change.

Systems Thinking and Lifestyle Design

To address these challenges, a systems approach to lifestyle design advocates for viewing one's life as an interconnected web of activities and resources. Systems thinking involves understanding how different components of a system interact and influence one another, rather than viewing them in isolation. By applying this perspective to personal lifestyle choices, individuals can create more resilient and sustainable ways of living.

This approach aligns with the principles of permaculture and ecological design, which emphasize the importance of creating systems that are regenerative and self-sustaining. By considering the inputs and outputs of various activities, individuals can design lifestyles that minimize waste and make efficient use of resources.

Moving Beyond Specialization

One of the key shifts required in this systems approach is moving away from extreme specialization towards developing a diverse set of skills. While specialization can lead to efficiency in a narrow domain, it also creates vulnerability when circumstances change. Generalists, who possess a broad range of competencies, are better equipped to adapt to new situations and solve complex problems.

This concept is supported by research in cognitive science and education, which suggests that diverse experiences and knowledge bases enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities (Kell & Lubinski, 2013). By cultivating skills in areas such as gardening, cooking, repairing, and basic construction, individuals increase their self-reliance and reduce dependence on external systems.

The Role of Minimalism and Voluntary Simplicity

Minimalism and voluntary simplicity are philosophies that advocate for living with less and focusing on what truly adds value to one's life. These approaches can be integral to designing a resilient lifestyle. By reducing material possessions and unnecessary consumption, individuals can lower their environmental footprint and decrease financial pressures.

Studies have shown that materialistic values are associated with lower well-being and increased environmental harm (Kasser, 2002). Embracing minimalism can lead to greater life satisfaction and more sustainable living practices.

Implementing a Resilient Lifestyle

Implementing a resilient lifestyle involves several practical steps:

1. Assessing and Reducing Consumption: Conducting a thorough evaluation of one's consumption patterns to identify areas where reductions are possible. This might involve tracking expenses, analyzing waste production, and considering the necessity of various purchases.


2. Developing Diverse Skills: Learning new skills that enhance self-reliance, such as cooking from scratch, repairing household items, or growing food. Online resources, community workshops, and local skill-sharing groups can facilitate this learning.


3. Building Community Connections: Fostering relationships with neighbors and local communities to share resources, knowledge, and support. Community resilience is enhanced when individuals collaborate and pool their skills and resources (Gilchrist, 2009).


4. Adopting Sustainable Practices: Integrating sustainable practices into daily life, such as composting, using renewable energy sources, and choosing environmentally friendly products.


5. Financial Independence and Security: Working towards financial independence by saving aggressively, reducing debt, and investing wisely. The concept of financial independence emphasizes living below one's means to gain greater freedom and security (Dominguez & Robin, 1992).



Philosophical Underpinnings: Plato's Allegory of the Cave

The transition from a conventional consumerist lifestyle to a resilient, systems-oriented one can be likened to Plato's Allegory of the Cave. In the allegory, prisoners are chained in a cave, perceiving reality only through shadows projected on a wall. When one prisoner escapes and experiences the outside world, he realizes the limitations of his former perceptions. Upon returning to the cave to enlighten others, he faces resistance and disbelief.

This metaphor illustrates the challenge of breaking free from ingrained societal norms and perceptions. Adopting a resilient lifestyle often requires questioning deeply held beliefs about success, happiness, and the "good life." It involves recognizing the illusory nature of consumerism as the sole path to fulfillment and being open to alternative ways of living.

The Wheaton Levels: Stages of Lifestyle Transformation

Paul Wheaton, a permaculture advocate, conceptualized the process of transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle in terms of levels. Each "Wheaton Level" represents a stage of understanding and practice in sustainability and self-reliance. Progressing through these levels involves incremental learning and adaptation, with each stage building upon the previous one.

This model acknowledges that drastic changes are often unsustainable and overwhelming. Instead, individuals can focus on manageable steps, gradually incorporating more sustainable practices into their lives. This approach aligns with behavior change theories that emphasize the importance of incremental progress and self-efficacy (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983).

Overcoming Barriers to Change

Transitioning to a resilient lifestyle can be impeded by various barriers, including:

Financial Constraints: The initial costs of adopting sustainable technologies or practices can be prohibitive. However, many sustainable choices, such as reducing consumption or learning to repair items, can save money in the long run.

Social Pressures: Deviating from societal norms can lead to social isolation or criticism. Building a supportive community of like-minded individuals can mitigate these challenges.

Knowledge Gaps: Lack of knowledge or skills can hinder the adoption of new practices. Accessing educational resources and engaging in community learning opportunities can address this barrier.


The Importance of Community and Social Networks

While individual actions are crucial, the role of community cannot be overstated. Social networks facilitate the sharing of resources, information, and support, amplifying the impact of individual efforts. Community gardens, tool-sharing libraries, and local cooperatives are examples of how collective action can enhance resilience.

Research has demonstrated that communities with strong social ties recover more effectively from disasters and are better equipped to handle economic and environmental stresses (Aldrich & Meyer, 2015). Building social capital is therefore a key component of resilient lifestyle design.

The Emergence of a Post-Consumer Society

The cumulative effect of individuals adopting resilient lifestyles can contribute to the emergence of a post-consumer society. In this envisioned future, value is placed on sustainability, community, and well-being over material consumption. Economic systems are reoriented to support regenerative practices, and technological innovation is harnessed to solve environmental challenges.

This transition aligns with concepts from ecological economics, which advocate for a steady-state economy that operates within the ecological limits of the planet (Daly, 1991). It also resonates with the degrowth movement, which calls for a reduction in consumption and production to achieve sustainability and social equity (Kallis et al., 2018).

Conclusion

A systems approach to resilient lifestyle design offers a holistic framework for addressing the interconnected challenges of our time. By moving beyond the limitations of the salary consumer model and embracing practices that enhance self-reliance and sustainability, individuals can create lifestyles that are not only more resilient but also more fulfilling.

This transformation requires a shift in mindset, recognizing that well-being is not solely derived from consumption but from meaningful activities, relationships, and a harmonious relationship with the environment. Through individual actions and community engagement, it is possible to contribute to a broader societal shift towards sustainability and resilience.

References

Aldrich, D. P., & Meyer, M. A. (2015). Social Capital and Community Resilience. American Behavioral Scientist, 59(2), 254-269.

Daly, H. E. (1991). Steady-State Economics (2nd ed.). Island Press.

Dominguez, J., & Robin, V. (1992). Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence. Viking Penguin.

Gilchrist, A. (2009). The Well-Connected Community: A Networking Approach to Community Development. Policy Press.

Kallis, G., Kerschner, C., & Martinez-Alier, J. (2018). The Economics of Degrowth. Ecological Economics, 154, 175-179.

Kasser, T. (2002). The High Price of Materialism. MIT Press.

Kell, H. J., & Lubinski, D. (2013). Spatial Ability: A Neglected Talent in Educational and Occupational Settings. Roeper Review, 35(4), 219-230.

Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and Processes of Self-Change of Smoking: Toward an Integrative Model of Change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390-395.

[7Wannabe5]

A 2024 Roundtable: Marx, Darwin, and Sterne on the Meta-Crisis

A dimly lit room, filled with the hum of futuristic technology. Three figures, each a giant of their respective fields, sit around a holographic table. Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, and Laurence Sterne, though centuries removed from their physical bodies, are present in consciousness.

Marx: "This meta-crisis, as you call it, is merely the latest iteration of class struggle on a global scale. The bourgeoisie, with their insatiable greed and reckless exploitation of the planet, have sown the seeds of their own destruction. The proletariat, the true engine of history, must rise up and seize the means of production."

Darwin: "The meta-crisis is a natural consequence of the relentless struggle for survival. Species adapt or perish. Human society, too, must evolve to meet the challenges of a changing environment. Those who are best adapted will thrive, while those who cling to outdated ideologies will inevitably decline."

Sterne: "Ah, a meta-crisis! A most curious predicament. A crisis of crises, a tangle of contradictions. We are creatures of both reason and passion, of science and sentiment. Perhaps, in this moment of great upheaval, we should embrace the absurd, the irrational, the comic. A good laugh, a well-timed joke, might just be the antidote to despair."

Marx: "Sentimentality will not save us, Sterne. We need concrete action, a revolutionary transformation of society."

Darwin: "And yet, Marx, it is our capacity for empathy and cooperation that has allowed us to survive thus far. We must nurture these qualities, even as we strive for progress."

Sterne: "Perhaps, gentlemen, the solution lies in a blend of your two approaches. A revolution of the heart, a Darwinian evolution of consciousness. We must strive for a society that is both just and compassionate, a world where reason and emotion are in harmony."

The holographic table flickers, and the three figures fade. The room is silent, the only sound the distant hum of technology. Yet, their words linger, a testament to the enduring power of ideas.