It seems likely that most if not all of our reportedly distant ancestors were extremely ecstatic and awestruck when human-made fire; stone tools; and the wheel; etc., first came on the scene. As many among us are somewhat likewise in today’s rapidly changing world of self-driving automobiles; GPS guided farm equipment; drones used for merchandise delivery, warfare, etc.; robotic surgery; smartphones and social media proliferation/addiction; cameras seemingly everywhere monitoring our almost every movement; TV’s, phones, and other devices responding to our voice instructions; software applications (apps) apparently for about everything that walks, flies, or breathes; along with a proliferation of data center supported artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with existing and yet to be realized mind-boggling capabilities.
A rapidly growing array of technological advances that countless seem to crave, relish, and take for granted, while others consider such to be a formidable challenge, considerable annoyance, a mix of burdens, or various degrees of threat . . . including our eventual obsolescence. Yes, an ever-widening range of technological achievements, including those that seem capable of duplicating if not ultimately replacing almost every aspect of humankind! With, of course, much faster, smarter, more efficient, and otherwise all around so-called “better” ways of doing things.
However, it seems that any serious pondering of the prospects of “human obsolescence” actually becoming an “inescapable” certainty, should also include some special recall and consideration of humankind’s innate and very consequential attributes of “free will” and “choice.” Along with a reminder that . . . while humankind’s age-old struggle between “the good” and “the otherwise” wages on . . . there still exists a strong and unrelenting demand for the many aspects of humankind’s “good side”! Including, but not limited to, those irreplaceable human behaviors that are not only far from obsolete, but are also truly beyond the capability of any nature of technological achievement!
Such as, but certainly not limited to: the spoken word, listening ear, eye contact, smile, handshake, hug or other appropriate touch, laughter, tears, closeness, fellowship, companionship, togetherness, etc., of flesh and blood human beings. Aspects of human behavior addressing ever so crucial needs such as, but not limited to: love, affection, friendship, trust, acceptance, inspiration, loyalty, approval, caring, respect, equality, appreciation, gratitude, compassion, encouragement, safety, security, sympathy, empathy, concern, happiness, hope, general wellbeing, etc. And all of such NOT by way of computer/AI-generated bells, whistles, balloons, recordings, graffiti, smiley faces or other emojis (digital images), or other make-believe sounds, graphics, etc. But, rather, by way of, and only truly attainable from, flesh and blood “human beings.” That is, “real people” having the “humankind-unique” ability, desire, and willingness to . . . via “free will” and “choice” . . . personally share such universal human wants and needs with one another.
And so, while we may “choose” to delegate various of our human capabilities and functions to an array of technological advancements as an aid to humankind’s “good” and/or “otherwise” sides . . . what actually makes us truly “human” not only remains in strong and crucial demand, such attributes are also not transferrable to or replaceable by any nature of technology. Hence, in pondering the prospects of human-obsolescence; and the various aspects of human behaviors demonstrated in our daily lives and around the world; etc., it seems a bit crucial that rational thought should never fail to responsibly consider the contributing role of, yes, . . . our “human-rooted choices.” —William James Moore.
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( Please Note: As shown below, the above Opinion Article was also published in local newspaper, the Parsons Sun . . . "Click" on below imaged to enlarge.)
