Ask A Genius 650: The Human Model
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Rick Rosner
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2021/12/08
[Recording Start]
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What is the future of the human model, and what do you mean by that?
Rick Rosner: There’s this saying, “The measure of a man is man,” which I suppose means that all our systems of judgment are grounded within a human framework. Our perceptions of good, bad, or compelling are based on what is relevant or significant to humans. Take dogs, for instance. I have a couple of dogs, and you’ve had dogs too. To them, about 99% of what goes on with humans is incomprehensible, and honestly, we don’t really mind. It doesn’t affect us that dogs can’t grasp the complexities of human actions beyond the basics like feeding, sleeping, and walking.
Our entire civilization, with its thousands of years of development, is entrenched in human-centric systems. Whatever comes next, whatever supplants us, will likely continue to use human models for a wide array of concepts – emotions, economics, conflict, friendship, partnership, and maybe even romance, at least initially. This is because the human experience offers a rich, well-established set of working dynamics. It’s not as if robots will suddenly build their own civilization based on robotic standards.
Moreover, the evolving civilization, which includes humans, augmented humans, and various AIs ranging from simple, non-conscious systems like a refrigerator ordering groceries to fully conscious AIs, will be heavily influenced by human history. So, for hundreds of years, I believe the human template will continue to dominate. That’s my take on that topic.
Okay.
[Recording End]
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