Why does AI seem conscious? Society often reduces humans to logic, mirroring AI’s capabilities, but we are far more—emotions, intuition, and spirit define us. While AI lacks consciousness, it can free us from mundane tasks, as research on mindfulness apps shows improved well-being. Philosophers like David Chalmers highlight consciousness’s mystery, and Carl Jung urges exploring the unconscious. Steve Wozniak warns that limiting ourselves to logic risks AI dominance. By using AI as a mirror, we can explore our profound consciousness, ensuring technology serves our deeper humanity.

In the quiet of a Vipassana retreat, where breath reveals the mind’s depths, I’ve pondered: what makes us human? As a philosopher of technology, I’m drawn to artificial intelligence (AI), which mimics logic but lacks the spark of awareness. Society’s tendency to view humans as mere logical processors fuels the illusion that AI is conscious. Yet, we are more—our consciousness weaves emotions, intuition, and spirit. Can AI, devoid of this depth, help us explore it? By reflecting our potential, AI can free us to embrace the beautiful consciousness that defines us.

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Episode Title: The AI Paradox: Leash or Ladder?

Description: An AI-generated conversation, created with Notebook LM, delves into the AI paradox: is it a leash controlling us or a ladder to enlightenment? Inspired by Roel Smelt's essay, this episode offers a unique perspective on how AI can be harnessed for personal growth and enlightenment.

Featuring: A conversation generated by AI (Notebook LM)

Key Points:

AI's potential to both control and empower

Jack Dorsey's concerns about algorithmic influence

Roel Smelt's vision of AI as a tool for enlightenment

Resources: For more on Roel Smelt's work, visit roelsmelt.substack.com

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The essay argues that reducing human consciousness to mere computation, as some AI research suggests, is a dangerous oversimplification. It emphasizes the crucial role of emotion, creativity, and subjective experience in human consciousness, contrasting these uniquely human qualities with the logical processes that AI systems can replicate. The author warns against granting AI the same status as humans based solely on computational abilities, highlighting the ethical implications of such a classification. By referencing various experts, the piece underscores the importance of recognizing the irreplaceable richness of human experience and the dangers of neglecting its non-computational aspects in our pursuit of technological advancement. Ultimately, it advocates for a broader, more nuanced understanding of consciousness that values the full spectrum of human qualities.

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Summary: “Between the Algorithm and the Abyss: A Manifesto for the Unautomated Soul”

As technology advances, we risk trading humanity’s richness for convenience, efficiency, and perfection. This essay explores the delicate balance between embracing innovation and protecting what makes us human: our irrationality, creativity, and soul.

It warns of the modern “soma” we consume—tools and algorithms that numb us to longing, wonder, and struggle. Instead of letting machines dominate, we must engage with technology joyfully yet critically, ensuring it serves us without dulling our capacity for meaning and connection.

Key takeaways:

1. Struggle is essential: Perfection isn’t the goal—growth through friction is where meaning is born.

2. Protect sacred inefficiencies: Moments like daydreaming, love, or watching clouds are invaluable and should remain untouched by optimization.

3. Technology should enhance, not erase, humanity: The tools we create must leave room for creativity, mystery, and imperfection.

The essay invites us to use technology as a hearth that warms and inspires us—while fiercely guarding the wild, untamed fire of our human spirit. It’s a call to rebel not by rejecting progress, but by ensuring it doesn’t automate the soul.

We are not here to be perfected. We are here to be astonished.

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The text analyzes the evolution of sociopolitical ideologies, tracing a path from the 1960s counterculture movement through the rise of "woke culture" to a contemporary resurgence of libertarian thought. It explores generational perspectives on these shifts, highlighting how different age groups view authority, social responsibility, and the role of government. The author emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and dialogue in navigating this complex ideological landscape, suggesting that progress stems from engagement and synthesis rather than adherence to rigid orthodoxy. The piece ultimately advocates for critical thinking and a willingness to consider diverse viewpoints in shaping the future of society.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roelsmelt.substack.com/subscribe