Evolving or devolving?

We’ve finally created legit generative AI. ChatGPT has taken the world by storm - and for good reason - it’s wild. (Give it a try if you haven’t, it’s fascinating. Or… don’t if this kind of stuff freaks you out, because it will do just that.) This is truly the beginning of a new frontier in our technological age. Yet just the other day, we had another mass shooting here in America - a clear sign that we have a disease of the mind & soul. So my question is… Do we know where we’re going - where we want to go - as a species? We’ve made leaps and bounds mentally… but what about emotionally? Spiritually? We’ve created a fascinating tool in AI… yet we still go to war - attempting to solve conflict like barbarians. We have more knowledge, and access to information than ever before… yet we act out of alignment with what is best for ourselves, others, and Nature. We have more technology than ever before, making us incredibly efficient… yet our pace of living is increasingly more rushed and frantic. What would someone from 100 years ago say about the way we’re living? Or even more interesting, 100 years into the future? It feels like we’re Diverging from our True Nature as humans. If Disconnecting with that is our choice, then so be it, but I think it’s important we acknowledge the cost if that’s what we choose. If that’s not what we want, then we need to consider how to Reconnect with ourselves, others, and the Nature. If we do ultimately choose Reconnection, it’s going to take major social and cultural shifts. And like any moment when this is occurring, there are both individual and systemic components. Here are some that came to mind for me (albeit far from an exhaustive list.) I would love to hear from you about what you think! Feel free to leave a comment or message me with your thoughts. Individual * Create space in our day-to-day lives (we can’t be Connected in a constant state of motion) * Be intentional rather than reactive (if we don’t shape our lives, the forces around us will) * Prioritize well-being over productivity (family and health of all kinds) * Set boundaries at work, and other areas demanding our time &energy (this can be as simple as taking a lunch break!) * Engage with the current moment (presence is the gateway to joy & gratitude - to that which is truly real) Systemic * Support families with paid parental leave (this time is incredibly precious & impactful - it is more important than literally anything else in the world) * Unlimited vacation (given more freedom…people are less likely to make excuses and abuse the freedom they’re given) * Less work, same pay (this would give people more time to not be stressed, anxious, angry, hateful… and therefore be more positive - or at least neutral - members of society) * Any number of things for low income families: free education, childcare, etc. (living in this way is sub-human; it is quicksand and these people deserve an opportunity to choose something else) What do all of these have in common? * A shift in our value system - in our way of being * A shift in how our nervous systems are wired - we’re addicted to progress, productivity, & achievements * A reorienting around what truly matters In general, we need to slow. the fuck. down. Until we can do so, the runaway train that is our way of living will keep on rolling. Our breakneck pace is taking us somewhere… but is it really where we want to go? I don’t think we need to go full stop on our quest for knowledge. Our innovations are incredible and have utility in creating a just, equitable world - one that we can all enjoy. But this quest has become neurotic; it has allowed our souls, and our Connection to our True Nature, to begin to wither. At what point will we turn into something other than human? Will it be an obvious fork in the road? Or a continued gradual process? Can technology and a simple, more Natural life coexist? If so, how do we reach that balance? Will we hit a point where we get a true wake up call? What will that be? Will that wake up the whole of humanity or only a fraction? What happens then, if there are two (or more) distinct sets (factions) of humans? Is our path inevitable? One to be endured rather than one we should attempt to change? Can we live well in either case? What does that look like? It feels as if we’re Diverging from what it means to be human, a part of Nature, and therefore the natural order of things. My question is… Is this evolution? Is this devolution? Or is this simply us playing God? The thing that we’ve always wanted… …and never needed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit weareinterconnected.substack.com