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THE LOSS OF BEING HUMAN: WHY WE NEED ELDERS
THE LOSS OF BEING HUMAN: WHY WE NEED ELDERS
Consider your DNA, your genome, to have been God’s creation of the human algorithm. An algorithm that gives you the ability to think and to be conscious. An algorithm that has steadily operated for millennia. The algorithm that makes you human.
This algorithm worked best in the human brain because of the large horsepower of the prefrontal cortex, although the other lobes of the brain got better and faster through their neural networking with the prefrontal lobe.
The algorithm allowed humans to think. Think 60 to 90 thousand thoughts a day. Thinking is a complex cognitive process involving manipulating, interpreting, and organizing information in the mind. It encompasses various mental activities such as problem-solving, decision-making, reasoning, imagining, planning, and remembering.
This algorithm gave humans the capability to be conscious. Consciousness refers to the state of being aware of one's existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings.
But beware, the future will more and more be dominated by external machine-generated algorithms, eroding the ability to think for oneself and reducing the ability to be conscious of being human.
These external algorithms are gaining dominance. Even today, our individual thinking and consciousness are losing power. The “boiling frog” metaphor fits perfectly here.
Humanity is those qualities associated with being human, such as compassion, kindness, and benevolence. When you exhibit humanity, it means you are demonstrating humane or compassionate behavior toward others.
In a moral or ethical context, humanity refers to the quality of being humane, ethical, and virtuous. It involves a commitment to values such as justice, fairness, and respect for the dignity of every individual. Where are we today with justice, fairness and respect on a scale today with our humanity and being humane?
Our humanity, thinking and consciousness are slipping away from us and being displaced and replaced.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=715245112146544
From an elder’s perspective, losing our humanity will cost us dearly. Elders hold humanity as quintessential. With the loss of humanity, elders understand we would lose compassion, empathy, ethical behavior, and a sense of moral responsibility. It is evident this loss is already occurring.
From an elder’s perspective, losing our consciousness will also cut us from our metaphysical access, spiritual channels, and sense of the divine. God is being replaced full throttle by scientific materialism.
These external algorithms impact and shift your thoughts and your consciousness. What was once your own thoughts are now manipulated, directed by the intrusion of these algorithms, whether audio, screen, or Metaverse headsets.
Psychological, emotional, and behavioral shifts occur when outside algorithms encroach because they cause cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept that refers to the discomfort or tension that arises when an individual tries to hold conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values.
This dissonance wears away how you think until you think consistently with these external algorithms. Who doesn’t want a Tesla, an Apple Watch, or an age-reducing face cream?
Elders are concerned about the consequences if we continue to lose our humanity. The algorithms continuously push our humanity envelope - social media, politics, and cell phones are cranking it out.
Can we stop the overtaking of our human thinking and consciousness? We can’t stop machines marching ahead; they are now self-governing, self-managing, and self-learning. But as elders, we suggest countering their expansion, balancing the scales of accelerating technology, by expanding our humanity, and further developing our consciousness as the counterweight.
Here's what will be lost when you lose your humanity.
Loss of Empathy and Compassion. We evolved, we survived, and we achieved because of social interaction. Loss of empathy and compassion leads to a loss of understanding and concern for others, resulting in conflict and a breakdown of social bonds. Aren’t we experiencing this now?
Loss of Core Ethical Values: We have been able to operate because of a set of ethical principles and moral values. These principles and values are already eroded by the dynamic expansion of machines. Loss of these values and principles will only lead to a society prone to greater corruption, injustice, and moral decay. Fairness and justice go out the window.
Loss of Collaboration: We have thrived due to our ability to cooperate and collaborate. With machines, there is only one answer. We won’t need each other to get ahead. Leadership will be directed by external, not internal, input. This will appear in unhealthy and unproductive business cultures if you're in business. Humanity produces cohesion in business culture.
Loss of Creativity and Innovation. Creativity and innovation were driven by humans being curious, having imagination, and wanting to make it better for others. Exploring new ideas and thinking outside the box, including the AI box, will disappear. With no new ideas, risk-taking, or pursuit of innovative solutions or challenges, that attribute of being human will wither.
Loss of Purpose and Direction. Humans seek meaning and purpose. Without them, it leads to apathy and nihilism, lack of motivation, and wanting to disengage from social and personal responsibility. And you wonder why it is so hard to manage Millennials.
Loss of Spiritual Connection. Humans have always sought a spiritual connection, a deep, meaningful, and transcendent bond that individuals experience with something beyond the material or physical realm. A spiritual connection provides real benefits that contribute to their overall well-being, sense of a higher purpose, and personal growth.
Loss of the greatest gift of being human, to love and be loved.
In our view, elders are the masters and teachers of humanity. They can bring forth the core of what it means to be human in others. Elders can counterbalance the influence of machine algorithmic conversations and remind all of us of the gift and blessing of being human.
You must decide for yourself what legacy you want to leave your children and grandchildren. If you are apathetic, indifferent, or resigned, that you can’t or won’t do something to instill greater humanity into your progenies, what future will they have?
Elders possess and communicate higher wisdom. Higher wisdom has people think for themselves and be more conscious of themselves and the world. Higher wisdom has people get in touch with their deepest humanity. Higher wisdom is the province of elders. To retain our humanity, a clear solution is expanding the influence of elders.
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