Philosophy in the Age of Machines (Part 3)
Implications of connecting with other life forms in the universe
The assumption that humans are alone and unimpeachable as the dominant force in the universe is showing signs of strain. We have previously discussed the very real threat that machines may overtake human’s top position as overlords of our world. The other threat are the implications if we discover how to break through our current time-space dimension limits and connect with life outside our galaxy.
100–200 billion galaxies exist (says Google)
As we delve deeper into the mysteries of our physical world, sci-fi ideas such as folding space and transmitting signals faster than the speed of light may become practicable.
In the last 200 years our communication systems have progressed from physical delivery of letters, to electronic transmission of telegrams and telephone calls, to fiber-optic transmission of data. In each technology evolution, the impact on humanity has been extraordinary. We are currently impeded by the faster-than-light challenge. Considering how quickly we advanced from pony express to global video-teleconferencing, it is not improbable that an answer to this barrier will be found.
Machines and technology are at the center of our scientific breakthroughs. The Hubble telescope helped us peer into the begin of the universe. With more powerful instruments and the ability to capture, record and understand the corresponding data, scientists are now armed with tools that shine light onto previously impenetrable secrets of our universe.
String theory, quarks, dark matter, and chaos theory are but a few of the topics being discussed and studied by our brightest minds. We continue to zoom in to analyze subatomic matter, while concurrently expanding outward to study the stratosphere that surrounds us. As this zooming in and out continues, astonishing answers will surface.
Back to our Google answer. 100 billion is a BIG number. The chances that we are alone in this universe is doubtful. With our current limits in reaching the stars and conducting long distance real-time communication, the dream of interstellar travel or connection remains that, a dream. Technology is redefining what is possible. We do not have flying cars, but that may not matter. If virtual reality technology can transport us to exotic destinations in a blink of an eye, we may not need faster-than-light transport vehicles. When we develop the ability to probe our galaxy to communicate with our billions of neighboring galaxies, how many intelligent life forms will we encounter?
If a solution to intergalactic communication and probing exists, there must be other life forms more advanced than us who have already developed these techniques. If so, there are signals being transmitted awaiting detection. If we can locate, decode, and reply to these transmissions, we will be faced with a existential crisis. How many other life forms exist outside of our range? What are humans position in the hierarchy of all life forms? If advanced life forms are able to establish reliable communication, what will the intergalactic order look like. Will humans be peers or a subjugated class in such a world?
Mind over matter
Moving atoms has proven to be more challenging than moving thought and data. Our connection to other life forms will likely be virtual, not physical. We will need the assistance of advanced tools and machines to send and receive communication signals. With our machines as the communication proxy, more advanced extraterrestrials may take control of our machines and remotely control us. Would such beings be interested in our remote outpost? Will they be a new-age Columbus looking to introduce their religion, mine riches and natural resources, and bring enlightenment to what they consider a backwards, heathen society?
If we take the globalization of our blue planet as a case study on what happens when cultures collide, the record is worrisome. When isolated lands or species are met with outside intrusion, the Darwinian effects are extensive. One of two scenarios typically plays out. Outside intruders overwhelm indigenous species, or the outsiders fail to survive in the foreign ecosystem and are extinguished. The more isolated the land, the less likely the integration of an outside species will be symbiotic.
Curiosity Killed the Cat
A key driver of human progress is our curiosity. We have an insatiable quest for knowledge. Philosophy is one of the subjects we ponder. What is the meaning of life? How did life begin? Are we alone in the universe? Why do we feel sensations of friendship, love, envy, lust, and loyalty? Does man have free will? Does god exist?
Science has proved a powerful foil to dispel myths and get closer to the truths of these questions. An example is the debunking of flat-earth and geocentric theories. The heliocentric discovery lead to much anguish. Prior to this discovery, the idea that man occupied the center of the universe was a comforting thought. It supported the notion that humans are the only life form endowed with higher intelligence and divinity. When we discovered our tiny planet obeys the same physical laws as Jupiter and Saturn in orbiting the sun, the belief in the singularity of Earth and in turn humans was challenged. The vastness of the universe is even more humbling. Why would god create billions of galaxies if Earth is the sole planet where life exists?
Religious doctrine is difficult to defend in the face of scientific discoveries. Creationists conduct a complex dance to explain away ever convincing evidence supporting evolutionary theory. Religious scholars point to the inability of science to provide answers to the BIG questions such as “is there life after death?” to argue the limits and fallibility of scientific theories. Never mind that their own explanations to these same questions are even more incredulous. Religious doctrine requires blind faith. Religious proponents argue that only god holds dominion of these truths and that humans must suspend their skepticism and put their faith in god. As science compiles further evidence to support contrarian theories to biblical explanations of our origin and history, scientifically-minded skeptics struggle to accept traditional religion ideals. With more data and knowledge, the credibility of traditional religious teachings will continue to erode.
Time for a new religion
Scientists often turn to atheism as an alternative to traditional religion. Yet, atheism and the denial of god is a hollow proposition. The thought that either you are a Christian or Jew or Muslim or whichever so-called traditional religion you subscribe to and believe in god, or you are an atheist and believe there is no god is an incomplete and counterproductive argument. How can one who witnesses the vastness and complexity of our world not believe in a higher power? The difficulty is in attempting to define this abstract concept. Humans lack the ability to comprehend the complexity of god. Traditional and ancient religions offer comfort to mere mortals by defining god with anthropomorphic characteristics. Religious texts are filled with stories of gods and prophets who act and think in manners we can relate to. The popularity of traditional religions is in this accessibility. We would do well to accept the unknowable, trust in the intelligent design of the universe, and resist the impulse to hold onto oversimplified answers. Rather than a dedication to a man-made god in the promise of a heavenly afterlife, we should look inward and tap into our full potential.
Meeting aliens
Extraterrestrial life will differ from life on our planet based on the environmental conditions of their planets. They will have their own philosophy and parochial beliefs. Just as the conquistadors forcefully enlightened the native heathens, will intergalactic contact attempt to bring their philosophy to us? Despite our increased globalization and gradual progress towards accepting and understanding other cultures, our world is fraught with intolerant viewpoints which lead to conflict, discrimination, war and terrorism. In a war of the worlds, a contact with other beings may bring about a similar and more cataclysmic result. In a more optimistic scenario, extraterrestrials may teach us secrets to the meaning of life. They may help us live in better harmony with god. Humans are often faulted for our resistance to change, but in truth, we are quite adaptable. If you look at the changes over the last 50 years and how quickly we have accepted the massive changes brought on by technology innovation, our tolerance for change is promising. We are logical beings and are skilled at weighing the benefits of new ideas and innovations. An introduction to a new philosophy and world view would first meet with strong resistance. With evidence and time, we would accept the new truths just as we ultimately accept Copernicus’ heliocentric theory.
To what end?
Just as a child playing with fire, we chase knowledge for the sake of the pursuit. What are we looking for? Humans are simple organisms. We seek comfort, safety, love, companionship and health. On Maslow’s hierarchy, we continue to climb the pyramid as technology and progress provide easier access to our base needs. There are still many humans without reliable shelter, food and water security, but considering that the population of the world increased from 1.6 billion in 1900 to 7.44 billion in the year 2018, it is an impressive feat that humanity has survived this massive population growth without a total collapse. This transition from survival to higher level actualization goals has created interesting new questions for humans. We have more time to chase our dreams than ever. We have tools for widespread and distance-defying connections. We have medical technology that extend and enhance our lives.
Looking at the scorecard, our curiosity and embracing of technology have delivered clear victories. Life expectancy in the United States rose from 47 years in 1900 to 78.7 years in 2018. Facebook has connected 1.47 billion people (19.8%) on our planet. Higher education participation in the US rose from 5.92 million students in 1965 to 19.9 million students today. That is a lot of change in less than 120 years. We are still digesting our new found fortune. On the negative side, we are over-medicated, distracted, and materialistic. Despite the time and tools to help us chase our dreams and spend our time connecting with the ones we love, we are losing our ability to make true human connections. We substitute these soul restoring experiences with micro-digital pings and binge watching television shows. We are losing the ability to concentrate and the patience to be fully present. Our gamified lives lack soul and we feel exhausted and empty as a result. Can love and spirituality survive our newfound wealth and leisure?
What will the neighbors think?
If we do connect with other intelligent beings, what will they think of us? Will they diagnose us as dysfunctional and soulless? Will they consider our traditional religions ridiculous and barbaric? Will they try and fix us? We laugh at the polytheistic gods of Greek, Roman and Ancient Egypt. Are our Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu religions vastly superior to those gods of ancient times? Will our extraterrestrial neighbors share the secrets to a fulfilled life?
Can we get back to what matters?
In our modern society we are facing new challenges to our spiritual well-being. Our struggles have moved from a focus on survival to a search for purpose. This search is daunting. We often feel small and insignificant in the face of our true potential and the greatness that we see in our peers. The ability to tap into our god-given talents takes focus, determination and hard work. We squander our time and talent as we pour massive time into social media, online games, and binge watching. That in and of itself is not so surprising or problematic. There is great and compelling content out there and the temptations to enjoy rather than create is high.
The true failing comes when we squander our talent and potential and ignore and neglect to connect with the important people in our lives. Are we more or less connected with our friends and family than our forefathers? Perhaps it only seems that we are disconnected and that technology is actually creating bridges to deeper and better connections. It is a good guess that our frequency of connections is higher than ever with Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram providing the conduit. Facetime, skype and no-fee long-distance calls provide tools and access to one-on-one connectivity.
How do we achieve not just high quantity, but high quality human connections? Meditation, yoga, and outdoor excursions are popular ways to digitally detox and recharge. Activities that require focus and uninterrupted attention such as surfing, mountain biking, skiing, race-car driving and scuba diving can provide zen-like euphoria. On the social side, those who have reached their material and subsistence needs can dedicate their energy to helping the less fortunate and mentoring those still on their journey towards those goals. The common thread to these soul-feeding activities is a high-level of concentration and engagement, rather than the multi-tasking, fractured, distracted engagements we all too frequently fall into.
Time to explore
Not all of us our squandering our potential. Brilliant men and women are taking advantage of the insights and data that technology provides. Every day, our ability to test theories, gain knowledge and challenge the status quo advances. Our research is providing us with an understanding of how interconnected and ingeniously the architecture of our world is. We have yet to map how a butterfly wing flap can lead to a hurricane in New Mexico, but this is a work in progress. As we better understand how delicately balanced our world is, we get a better appreciation that we are merely cogs in the vast machinery of existence. The idea that we are the driver of the machine is less and less viable. That is not to say that free will is an illusion. We can control and direct the arch of our lives with our decisions and actions. Taking a chess analogy, we may choose what piece to move, but we are confined by the limits of the board. As we better understand how certain actions lead to what results, we may be able to tame unintended consequences and work towards more optimal results.
We have the tools and ability to achieve more than ever. The Enlightenment that begin in the 18th century is continuing into the 21st century. As our knowledge of our universe enhances, our previously held beliefs are shattering at faster and faster rates. Religion, philosophy, physics, and biology are under ever-increasing pressure to incorporate new discoveries that are cracking the foundations of these domains. The sciences, by design, are adaptable to these changes. The less empirically-based religious and philosophy studies are struggling to coexist with these new truths. We must let go of previously held beliefs that no longer work. Just as alchemy gave way to chemistry, and atomic science replaced our belief in the four elements of fire, wind, water and earth, we need radical thinking to make sense of new discoveries.
Working with nature rather than subjugating it
This post has taken a number of unexpected twists and turns. I’ll attempt to bring this back to the original objective as we conclude. The original thought is technology and our enhanced understanding of our universe is bringing into question the superiority of humans. This humbling thought may eventually benefit humankind. In the name of god and country, wars, discrimination, and intolerance have plagued our existence. If more people are to accept that our position is the universe has a limited impact in the grand scheme of things, we may view our humanity as more of a shared experience. Rather than one tribe or people driven by divine right and obligation to force those with opposing views to repent, we may appreciate what makes us similar rather than condemning that which makes us different. We may better accept our position in the world is to live in harmony with other life forms and nature rather than the impulse to dominant and control. By flowing with nature and god, we can peacefully travel rather than fight against the stream. As we align ourselves with our natural world, we can turn our focus inward and discover our natural talent and better reach our full potential. In this way, a worldview in which humans are integral members, but not the dominant species may be a boon rather than an abnegation.
