Ask A Genius 653: The World We’re Leaving Our Children and Grandchildren
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Rick Rosner
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2021/12/11
[Recording Start]
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: I find the concept of intergenerational relationships and ideas quite appealing, as most of my acquaintances are of your age or older. For you, what does it mean to have influences from one, two, or even three generations prior, whether in intellectual terms or familial connections?
Rick Rosner: My initial reaction to this is skepticism towards the often-used phrase ‘the world we’re leaving for our children and grandchildren.’ I believe that individuals and entities 50 to 100 years from now will be vastly different from us. Another thought I have, which might be a bit too focused on rapid change, is that things might evolve quicker than anticipated. As we discussed earlier, I could become a grandfather in a few years, but not to a half-robot baby. Yet, when this child reaches 20 and I’m in my 80s, they might possess technological enhancements aiding their cognitive processes. The technology available to them will be remarkably advanced compared to what we have today, potentially making them far smarter than us. It’s uncertain how this will unfold. I hope the technology will significantly enhance our capabilities, but that remains to be seen.
This hypothetical child will also face the repercussions of climate change, which is what politicians refer to when they talk about the legacy we leave for future generations. In 20 years, if I’m still around, I might become as burdensome to my children as my surviving mother and mother-in-law are to us now. Although I wish it won’t be the case. Carol, who has many older friends, knows some in their 80s who are still mentally sharp and not troublesome. However, most older individuals I know are quite bothersome. Harrison Ford, who is about to turn 80, seems to be an exception, maintaining functionality, especially for a hefty film fee.
So, when I think of grandchildren, I think about the distinct world they will inherit, a world that I assume will make them quite different from previous generations, though perhaps not as drastically as I once believed. In 20 years, we’re unlikely to see the science fiction scenario of people genetically modified into dinosaurs, as some predict. What are your thoughts on future generations?
Jacobsen: Most of my friends, either newly retired or long retired, have predominantly been women. There’s a certain difference in perspective here, as many of them are mothers, grandmothers, or even great-grandmothers. My views are shaped by this. My generation, including myself, are referred to as “digital natives.” This term, meant to describe those immersed in screen time, doesn’t really resonate with me. Academic and cultural social terminology often falls short in being descriptive or concrete enough to truly capture the essence of being a digital native. What does it even mean?
Rosner: Indeed, the term ‘digital native’ suggests certain characteristics – frequent social media posting, constant phone checking – but it fails to provide deeper insight or instruction beyond that general impression.
Jacobsen: The inputs are increasingly immersive – visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile – and these are the aspects often discussed in relation to digital natives. However, a more accurate term might be digital immersion, which is evolving into digital integration for future generations. As Dr. Evangelos Katsioulis, whom I interviewed, stated, ‘there is no limit to the integration’ between human-created technology and naturally evolved technology, a viewpoint I share.
Rosner: You’re referring to Evangelos Katsioulis, the individual reputed to have the highest IQ? I concur with his opinion. Between the three of us, we should have a good grasp on this topic, although it’s important to remember that it’s just IQ.
Jacobsen: Organizing a discussion between you two, with me moderating, would be intriguing, considering your experience interviewing others in that community.
Rosner: Regarding digital interactions, my initial thought is that we’re somewhat shortchanged. I, for instance, devote hours daily to Twitter and have tweeted around 60,000 times. This equates to the length of a substantial book. I once received a Keurig coffee maker, possibly due to my influence on Twitter, though my wife believes it was just a random distribution. This output of words, equivalent to numerous books, is given freely with minimal compensation beyond gaining insights from others’ tweets, like learning appropriate social conduct.
But this is minor compensation for countless hours of unpaid work. Future generations, with their deeper integration with technology, will gain actual capabilities. Currently, we can instantly access basic answers to nearly any question through Google, a significant leap from the past when information was limited to library visits or encyclopedias. This has broadened the range of questions we ask, though our reading habits have become more superficial.
Our current technology allows for an explosion in our questioning skills, which is beneficial. However, compared to future technologies, our gains seem modest. Current cognitive science suggests the brain’s primary function is to prepare us physically for anticipated future events, making it a prediction tool. Future generations, closely integrated with technology, will be superior predictors, possessing more information for analysis and decision-making. Our technology barely assists us in this regard, even though we heavily rely on it. This seems like a fitting point to pause.
[Recording End]
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In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.in-sightpublishing.com.
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