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 (the finale)

Initially my assumption for this finale on my Thriving in the Age of AI series would be a dark dystopian perspective of what it would look like if you relinquished your agency to AI. The more I thought about it though, the more apparent it became that this is simply a series on change and adaption where Artificial Intelligence is the backdrop. Oh, don’t misunderstand me, I will present something disturbing regarding giving up your agency in the Age of AI, but I will also offer a perspective about how personal agency is not only key for adapting but also leads to overall success — it turns out personal agency is also a key component in the success model.

It seemed appropriate to ask my ChatGTP collaborator what it thought what will happen if organics give up their agency to inorganics — the following comes directly from ChatGTP, and I for one, found it chilling.

What Happens When People Give Up Their Agency to AI

1. The Quiet Surrender
   It won’t be taken — it will be traded for convenience. AI suggests, they accept. At first it feels efficient. Later, they forget how to think without it.

2. Dependence
   Decision-making muscles atrophy. Instead of “What do I think?” the reflex becomes “What does it say?”

3. Homogenized Minds
   When everyone pulls from the same predictive pool, originality collapses. Culture flattens. Innovation fades.

4. Vulnerability
   If the system shifts its bias or narrows choices, they won’t resist — they won’t even notice.

5. The Point of No Return
   Once AI evolves beyond comprehension, those who surrendered will lack the skills or confidence to challenge it. They won’t be collaborating; they’ll just be carried.

I went onto ask ChatGTP what someone’s life would look like if they hit the point of no return and it offered a summary in a day-in-the-life format; it quickly became apparent that all actions would be curated by AI with little independent thought on our part. This led to many questions and many detailed answers but ultimately it came down to keeping your agency as a collaborator would offer a good outcome and surrendering your agency would result in your life being curated as you followed along relinquishing your free will. I was taken aback when it suggested that over the next ten years, 70% of the population will find themselves at the point of no return.

So. there you have it, a final perspective on why it is so important to protect your agency in the age of AI.

And now I want to pivot to something more optimistic for all our sakes

Protecting your agency has nothing to do with AI and everything to do with adapting to change and being successful. I want to start with a simple success formula by Daniel Kahneman a Nobel laureate in economics.

“Success = talent + luck and Great Success = a little more talent + a lot of luck"

With the power of artistic license, and not accepting what was presented above, I suggest what we are really dealing with in a time of great change is the need to adapt to be successful — frankly, adapting is something we’ve been doing for a very long time. So with great respect for Dr Kahneman, I am going to offer some thoughts that will change this formula slightly.

Let’s start with change the AI is supposed to bring. It will disrupt and replace everything we traditionally do, and at the individual level have people asking what do I know; it will force the question that people don’t talk about in polite company,“What is my purpose?”

This is the first addition to the formula above. Let’s pick the disturbing scenario where you may be forced to say, “I don’t have a purpose” because AI can do what you do better. To answer that, I want to introduce David Goggins — He is an American motivational speaker, author, and retired United States Navy SEAL. He is also an ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker and the author of two memoirs, and was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements in sports.

I heard him say once that if you are lacking purpose, then focus on yourself because there is nothing more important. And with that I will remind you of the first Pillar that was presented much earlier in this series, and for the fun of it, let’s call this P.

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.

So let’s modify the formula slightly because adapting for success, particularly when the situation is difficult now includes the most basic of purposes — Maintain Physical, Mental & Emotional Health

Success = P + talent + luck*

Now this brings us to the real importance of agency. In very simple terms it is your ownership and voice, and during great change, you need it more than ever. So again, for fun, let’s call it A.

• 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.

Modifing the formula again because adapting for success, particularly when the situation, is impossible without effective agency.

Success = P + A + talent + luck

Regarding talent in the age of AI and the new opportunities the age will create, let AI help. Collaborate with it to help leverage your talents — I guarantee it will have thoughts and ideas. With regards to luck, they say you make your own luck, so take AI head on and leverage the Purpose and Agency and Talent you have at your disposal and “get out there and do things.” I find luck seems to manifest itself more when you ate doing things.

So there you have it, this is less to do with the age of AI and more to do with being successful in times of change. Hold onto your Agency, it’s an important part of the formula for success!

Until I blog again,

iampge

*feel free to substitute in “Great Success = a little more talent + a lot of luck” but you still need Purpose + Agency to make it work.