From: mk_thisisit
The concept of humanity and its associated cultural and societal norms are undergoing constant redefinition and modification, influenced by advancements in technology and evolving societal pressures [02:35:48]. This ongoing transformation is understood in various ways, from a “crisis of humanity” to a natural blurring of definitional boundaries [03:00:23].
The Evolving Definition of Humanity
The very definition of humanity is seen as being in a state of flux [02:03:09]. This discussion mirrors the debate between natural law and statutory law, questioning whether certain concepts are inherent or established by humans through negotiations influenced by civilizational, cultural, and religious trends [02:12:12].
A “crisis of humanity” can be interpreted in two main ways:
- A losing battle for definition: This suggests that those with differing beliefs about what constitutes a human are gaining ground, leaving some feeling marginalized [02:48:48].
- Blurring of meaning: This academic understanding posits that the concept of humanity itself is losing its distinct meaning as its boundaries become less clear [03:17:19].
Impact of Technology on Human and Societal Concepts
Technological advancements, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), are significantly contributing to the redefinition of humanity and its societal norms [00:13:13]. AI and its derivatives are increasingly being included in categories previously reserved for humanity [00:19:56].
The speaker, Jacek Dukaj, identifies two levels of AI’s impact:
- AI as an interface: AI will become a natural part of the social fabric, acting as an interface between humans and reality, mediating interactions between people and the world [00:15:56].
- AI accelerating other technologies: AI’s application to fields like biology and genetic engineering will lead to exponential advancements [00:16:26]. This includes the ability to freely manipulate the genetic code of humans, animals, and plants within a decade [00:17:28]. This could fundamentally alter human identity, moving beyond the traditional biological basis of DNA [00:17:06].
Redefining Life and Human Characteristics
The concept of “life” itself is being re-evaluated in the context of AI and digital entities [06:38:22]. While traditional biological definitions focus on organic, carbon-based compounds and material transmission [07:06:06], digital entities like evolving cellular automata can exhibit life characteristics such as reproduction, growth, and evolution within a digital environment [07:46:17].
The ability of AI to display traits normally attributed to people, such as understanding, showing emotions, and engaging in dialogue, challenges traditional notions of what it means to be human [04:30:26]. Future generations, raised with normal interactions with AI entities, may naturally attribute human-like features to them [05:26:07].
A critical question arises: if a future AI system can simulate pain responses perfectly, even without biological equivalents, does treating it as “non-human” make one a sociopath or destroy one’s soul? [05:37:33] This pushes the boundaries of ethical considerations and how we define sentience.
Genetic Modification and the Future of the Species
The combination of AI with genetic editing tools like CRISPR methods will allow for the manipulation of the genetic code of all beings [00:09:09]. This ability raises questions about the very existence of the “human species” as we know it [01:14:02]. While existing humans won’t die out, the capacity to modify offspring genetically (e.g., selecting genes) and to apply genetic engineering to already-born individuals will become widespread [01:19:00].
This will lead to two primary applications:
- Medicine: Curing previously incurable diseases [01:51:30].
- Cosmetic genetic engineering: Making individuals younger, prettier, healthier, and stronger [02:03:59].
These changes suggest that “homo sapiens” and “homo technicus” might coexist, or more likely, simply result in people with slightly changed genetic codes, blurring species distinctions [02:14:02].
Cultural Shifts in Media Consumption
Societal norms regarding media consumption are also evolving [02:25:31]. Statistics indicate a decline in book reading over the past decades [02:35:05]. Free time previously spent on reading is now increasingly dedicated to television and, more recently, activities involving computer interaction on the network, such as computer games and social media [02:56:06]. This shift raises questions about how individuals find meaning in a world where basic necessities are easily met and traditional forms of engagement decline [02:44:03].
Societal Control and Privacy Concerns
The future poses a dilemma regarding technology: either allow it to run wild, making humanity its de facto slaves, or attempt to limit it through draconian laws, potentially leading to a global totalitarian civilization where individual freedom is eroded [02:15:00].
Governments and corporations are increasingly seeking control over individuals and their privacy, often justifying this by framing complex issues like climate change or economic inequality as “technical problems” requiring extensive control [02:24:23]. This narrative suggests that experts “know better” and that individual countries’ selfish votes hinder global solutions, necessitating top-down control and the sacrifice of freedoms [02:33:04].
However, the existing dynamics of rivalry between states and corporate entities make a global totalitarian government unlikely [02:46:58]. Instead, every entity will strive for better technology, leading to a paradoxical situation where privacy and subjectivity are lost through technocratic efforts, yet the development of potentially harmful technology continues unchecked [02:51:30].