

Being human in the age of AI
15 snips May 8, 2023
In this thought-provoking discussion, essayist Meghan O'Gieblyn, author of "God, Human, Animal, Machine," explores how technology reshapes our understanding of humanity. She dives into the impact of metaphors on self-perception and the blurring lines between humans and machines. O'Gieblyn reflects on her journey from faith to agnosticism and the complex interplay between AI, identity, and creativity. The conversation also examines our emotional connections with AI and the potential threats to what makes us distinctly human in an increasingly mechanized world.
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O'Gieblyn's Religious Upbringing
- Meghan O'Gieblyn grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family, homeschooled, and immersed in church life.
- She attended Moody Bible Institute, intending to become a missionary, where she began questioning her faith.
Deconstructing Faith
- Leaving deeply held beliefs was a gradual process for O'Gieblyn, sparked by questions about hell and divine justice.
- The lack of satisfactory answers from professors contributed to her eventual shift away from faith.
Discovering Transhumanism
- O'Gieblyn's interest in the intersection of technology and religion began with reading Ray Kurzweil's The Age of Spiritual Machines.
- Kurzweil's transhumanist ideas of merging with technology resonated with O'Gieblyn's prior beliefs in religious transcendence.