Jacob Howland on the Hidden Human Costs of AI

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Jun 26, 2023

In a thought-provoking discussion, Jacob Howland, a provost at the University of Austin and author of *Glaucon's Fate*, challenges listeners to consider the profound impacts of AI on society. He argues that while technology promises convenience, it may hinder critical thinking and diminish our curiosity. Howland reflects on the paradox of increased leisure leading to intellectual atrophy and fears that outsourcing our tasks to machines could ultimately compromise our freedom. He emphasizes the importance of meaningful human engagement in an increasingly digital world.

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INSIGHT

Accelerated Social Change and AI

Henry Adams observed accelerating social change due to new technologies like railways and telegraphs, impacting communities.
Similar concerns arise with AI's potential for job displacement and enforced leisure, disrupting life's meaning.

INSIGHT

Job Elimination Concerns

Russ Roberts acknowledges the historical concern of technology eliminating jobs, noting it hasn't happened and jobs have become safer.
He questions if alienation from work products is the primary source of malaise, suggesting many prefer less meaningful work for more leisure.

ANECDOTE

Work as Structure

Jacob Howland argues that work, though not always meaningful, provides essential structure.
He uses the example of lottery winners often becoming unhappy due to losing the structure and meaning work provides.

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The education of Henry Adams

an autobiography.

Henry Adams

The Education of Henry Adams is an extended meditation on the rapid changes in society, technology, politics, and intellect during Adams's lifetime. The book critiques traditional education for its failure to prepare him for the scientific and technological advancements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Adams reflects on his experiences, friendships, and self-education, highlighting his bewilderment and concern over the rapid progress of science and technology. The autobiography is narrated in the third person and includes humorous and sarcastic self-criticism, as well as insights into notable events and figures of the time.

Leisure the basis of culture

Josef Pieper

Josef Pieper's "Leisure: The Basis of Culture" is a profound exploration of the nature of leisure and its importance for human flourishing. Pieper argues that leisure, understood as a state of freedom from necessity, is essential for contemplation and the development of culture. He contrasts leisure with mere idleness or entertainment, emphasizing its role in fostering creativity, intellectual growth, and spiritual development. "Leisure" has had a significant impact on philosophical and theological thought. Pieper's work challenges readers to reconsider the value of contemplation and the importance of creating a society that fosters leisure. The book is a classic of philosophical and theological reflection.

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.

Superintelligence

Paths, Dangers, Strategies

Nick Bostrom

In this book, Nick Bostrom delves into the implications of creating superintelligence, which could surpass human intelligence in all domains. He discusses the potential dangers, such as the loss of human control over such powerful entities, and presents various strategies to ensure that superintelligences align with human values. The book examines the 'AI control problem' and the need to endow future machine intelligence with positive values to prevent existential risks[3][5][4].

Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren

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John Maynard Keynes

Glaucon's Fate

Jacob Howland

Glaucon's Fate offers a unique perspective on Plato's Republic by examining the historical and philosophical significance of Glaucon, Plato's brother. The book argues that Glaucon failed to adopt the philosophical life advocated by Socrates and instead joined the Thirty Tyrants, a brutal oligarchy in Athens. It provides a rich analysis of the dialogue's themes and their connection to Plato's personal experiences and the political turmoil of ancient Athens.