The Age of Insecurity — a perspective

As a matter of course, I always have a number of books on the go. As a generalization they fall into two categories: mind candy in the form of science and fantasy fiction and more serious works such as autobiographies, philosophies and current topics of importance — basically, fun or serious. My latest “serious book” is entitled The Age of Insecurity by Astra Taylor (part of the CBC Massey Lectures).

As I started into the first chapter entitled Cura’s gift, who as an aside is the Roman goddess that embodies care, concern, anxiety and worry, there was just something that wasn’t sitting right with me — and it had nothing to do with a questionable divinity. As I put the book down, all I could wonder is if there’s an Age of Insecurity as the title suggests, that would mean there has been an Age of Security. Also, the word insecurity just seems to be one of those modern words favoured in rhetoric that has no interest in the depth and nuance of things.

What I find challenging is I don’t believe there has ever been an Age of Security and being secure is simply not part of the evolutionary model on this beautiful blue planet. To suggest that insecurity is something that is a negative and not the very thing that has brought us to the height of our civilization is misguided at best.

Insecurity or as I prefer to say, “discomfort”, is the motivator that drives change, adaptation, new ways of doing things, and is the very security we are looking for. If you are a fan of Charles Darwin, you can simply defer to survival of the fittest or at the individual level — if the current situation is uncomfortable, it is the driver to change the situation. Mother Earth has never offered security, and that simple fact has us all working to find a way to strive for enough security to leave our mark. To leave the impression that security is a right of life simply creates a complacency and denies the development of the very tools needed to be successful.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am not suggesting it is fair, but rather saying to suggest that it is any different is problematic for developing the very tools to make your way and be successful. Arguably, more than any time over the past 150,000 years, it is easier for us to find security when it comes to our basic needs and the ability to thrive. In fact, I would also suggest if you are feeling secure, you should search out discomfort and keep your skills sharp because things change — you lose your job, a flood destroys your house, civil unrest happens, you are replaced by AI, et cetera.

I believe in a culture with a helping hand, I just don’t want it to come with a message that is contrary to the Human Condition and suggesting otherwise guarantees problems. It is quite possible I have totally misunderstood the message of The Age of Insecurity and will follow-up to let you know.

As I have said before, “Get Comfortable with being Uncomfortable” — it will serve you well.

iamgpe

The mysticism of success (an exercise in artistic license)

mys·ti·cal/ˈmistək(ə)l/ adjective — inspiring a sense of spiritual mystery, awe, and fascination. (edited)

Artistic licence is the primary driver and the result of a morning hike where the mind is allowed to wander — let’s see where this narrative lands.

I started hiking at Happy Valley at the beginning of the pandemic and found myself walking the 9 kms of trails through an old growth forest regularly; this particular morning was a beautiful fall day and it made the walk truly mystical with the active change of the seasons. My hiking agenda included working in my new barefoot hiking boots and understanding how I would handle using a weighted backpack — you see, Happy Valley (called Pinch Gulch back in the day by the men who logged the valley) is one of the places I test my fitness. I have improved dramatically since the first time I walked these trails — each year, progress has been made and my process is producing success.

At one point during the hike as I came to the top of a hill and stopped. This moment seemed so mystical, and as one does, I took a picture. As I continued my hike, I let my mind wander to the previous day.

I had found myself at UB Social Cafe & General Store (another mystical place in my mind) where the coffee is made with love, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere invites rich conversation — Anthony and Mary, the owners have created something wonderful. They survived Covid, have very loyal customers and continue to evolve their business to stay ahead of the changing times. As we tend to do, Anthony and I struck up a conversation that meandered. At one point, Anthony mentioned that once in a while people ask him what Mary does and he tells he doesn’t really know — he then has to explain he doesn’t really have to know the details; he simply knows that she is doing the right thing. To this I interjected, and said that he“trusts her” — our conversation continued as others joined it.

Eventually I said my goodbyes, with tomato sauce in hand, I made my way. I could not help think that UB Social is a magical place built on a shared goal and trust.

I finished my hike and was pleased with my progress and my new hiking boots and recognized the weekend was akin to mystical (and definitely inspirational). And as I do, I asked myself why?

Initially in my mind, this narrative was lining up into a neat set of guidelines all under an umbrella I was calling mystical — goals, trust, process and progress, and all important aspects in a nice formula for success. As I reflected though, the more realized I was just correlating some buzz-words and ideas I experienced and was now trying to force them in a nice package for digestion. I was missing something when it came to what I experienced on the weekend.

It was only as I started writing this that it became apparent there were two aspects of the weekend made it mystical and had become lost on me as rushed to create a nice piece of social media content.

The first aspect was I spent time in nature — a place that reminded me that I’m part of something that is much bigger than myself and although comfortable, well beyond my understanding. The second aspect came at UB Social, where through connection, I could share, as others shared with me — a place where I can find connection. Ultimately, it seems my ego didn’t get in the way on the weekend, and I welcomed the reminder that I’m part of something much bigger and grander than myself and I took the time to connect and listen to what others had to say, enjoyed their company, and took time to consider my place in this beautiful world.

Humility and connection are definitely part of the formula.

iamgpe

Thriving in the age of AI — A human framework of thinking (Part 2)

I was reading an email and decided to click on Co-Pilot for the fun of it; it’s the MicroSoft AI tool that is now available. I asked about its capabilities and it focused on my most recent email — it read the email, interpreted it, offered recommendations, as well as suggested next steps. I quizzed Co-Pilot about taking away my agency. I didn’t have to read. I didn’t have interpret. I didn’t have to determine what to do. Co-Pilot was very insistent it wasn’t taking away my agency and its function was to support productivity and efficiency. It then wanted to know if it should save the essence of the conversation for the next time — it had a courteous and helpful persona as it continued to insist it was all in name of a better, more productive interaction. I wasn’t disturbed by this interaction and was now armed with a little more information about collaborative AI.

After that interaction, I decided to start writing the second part to my previous blog Thriving in the age of AI — A human framework of thinking (Part 1) when it struck me that a more refined definition of Agency would be important — after all it is a key tenet of this series.

There is an article https://www.thoughtco.com/agency-definition-3026036 in ThoughtCo. written by Nicki Lisa Cole (Ph.D.) that offers three takeaways describing agency which stress things such as making choice and actions. In my mind, these choices and actions are what are worth protecting. Her takeaways are as follows:

• Agency means people can make choices and act in ways that shape their lives.

• Society's rules influence people, but people can also change those rules through their actions.

• Even in tough situations, people can show agency by making choices to resist or succeed.

Before looking at agency in the context of AI, I thought it would be worth considering agency before AI; it was not long ago all we had to worry about were organics trying to subvert our agency. I’m calling this a Timeless Framework for Thriving because it needs a fancy name and is foundational for strong personal agency. I will say up front I am concerned the framework is incomplete and lacks depth but I will stand by the fact that this has merit. Here are the pillars of the framework I am referring to:

Maintain Physical, Mental & Emotional Health

We are very complex biological machines and like any machine it needs to be maintained for longevity. We are talking about our body, mind and soul, and to maintain ourselves, takes work; hard work. Your Agency is forged in this work and the resulting health it brings. It is a reminder that there are no short cuts and the results are a reflection of the work invested. Strength in your machine directly correlates to the strength of your agency.

Cultivate Creative & Personal Interests

Your interests and how you act on them represent who you are, what is important to you, and what you represent. The broader your interests, the harder it is to relinquish the agency that comes because of those interests (Agency is a compounding force). The more creative your interests, the more unique you are and by extension, powerful your agency is. This makes it harder to subvert.

Build Community & Deep Relationships

We are social creatures and co-operation is one of the main reasons our species has achieved everything it has over the past 150,000 years. Deep relationships are where agency is honed — defining who you are, what you want, and the communities you want to associate with. As they say, “The deepest truths come from the truest friendships”.

Pursue Deep Work & Original Contribution

Get good at something; as many things as possible if truth be told. Have thoughts on what you are doing, do things and contribute to the broader conversation. It is said that when you don’t know something you say very little about it, when you are learning something you say too much and when you truly know something you say little but with great meaning — this is the definition of mastery. Don’t just react to what someone does — create something unique and strive for what excites you.

Diversify Your Growth Portfolio

I see this akin what is needed to adapt in an ever changing environment — those species that are so specialized have great difficulty surviving when the environment changes; where as those species that are more generalized have an easier time. The more avenues you have to grow (be it spiritually, physically, mentally), the more successful you will be at weathering difficult situations — and most importantly, not surrendering your agency as you make your way.

<Author’s note: I admit I am sill not very happy with the above but then it struck me — the most important consideration is these thoughts are down on paper. They are a framework of guiding principles and an example of a roadmap towards a goal. These are mine and I’ve have put thought into them. I know this is a work in progress (which seems to be the way of life) and reflect my personal agency. I have something down on paper so now we can discuss knowing it reflects my agency>

Now a situation has arisen where AI is here and changing everything (and it is only getting started). We now have a tool that is able to do pretty much any we can do only faster and with vastly more resources. We need new ways of thinking if we want to thrive. This doesn’t diminish what I have eluded to above, but simply suggests it is not enough.

As I continue my blogging journey on this topic, I will reflect on these additional pillars

1. Retain and Protect Personal Agency

2. Develop Digital Literacy & Data Sovereignty

3. Co-Create with AI Intentionally

4. Master Fluid Communication with AI Systems

5. Build Digital Assets That Provide Freedom

I believe these pillars are key when to considering how to protect your agency as you collaborate more and more with AI.

Until the next time I blog.

iamgpe