by jcuene

Meta’s Nick Clegg plays down AI’s threat to global democracy | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian

I don’t think this is going to age well…

“But of the major elections which have taken place already this year, in Taiwan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, it is striking how little these tools have been used in a systematic basis to really try to subvert and disrupt the elections.

Source: Meta’s Nick Clegg plays down AI’s threat to global democracy | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian

by jcuene

Who Needs a Guru: GenerativeAI Teaches Dukkha

Why search the web when you can just ask ChatGPT? Why read books when you’ve got mostly-good answers right at your finger tips?

Example below on a super tricky concept at the heart of buddhism. Notoriously difficult to explain without relying too much on the original language. This is surprisingly good and much better than many other explanations i’ve seen.

Everything below this line is from ChatGPT.

The next 20 years are going to be crazy interesting.

The Prompt: You are a college professor explaining a philosophical topic to smart, well educated college students. Without using the words “suffering”, “suffer” or unsatisfactory, explain what the concept of Dukkha is

The Answer: Dukkha is a fundamental concept in Buddhist philosophy, often translated as “suffering,” but its meaning is far more nuanced and encompasses a broader range of experiences. At its core, Dukkha signifies a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction or discomfort that arises from the inherent impermanence and insubstantiality of life and all phenomena.

To understand Dukkha, we can break it down into three primary categories:

  1. The Dukkha of Ordinary Experience: This category includes the physical and emotional discomforts that are part of the human condition, such as illness, aging, and emotional distress. It recognizes that these experiences are inevitable and a natural part of existence.
  2. The Dukkha of Change: This form of Dukkha arises from the understanding that all things are transient. It reflects the realization that even pleasant experiences cannot provide lasting contentment because they are subject to change and will eventually cease.
  3. The Dukkha of Conditioned States: This is the most subtle form of Dukkha. It refers to a deep-seated sense of unease or restlessness that pervades even in the absence of acute discomfort or change. It’s linked to the idea that our attachment to the notion of a permanent, unchanging self, or to any external phenomena, leads to an ongoing state of tension and dissatisfaction.

Dukkha, therefore, is not just about the presence of discomfort but also about the inescapable reality of impermanence and the interdependent nature of existence. It suggests that true contentment or peace cannot be found in clinging to any part of the fleeting, conditional world. Instead, it points towards a path of understanding and accepting the transient nature of all things, leading to a state of equanimity and freedom from these pervasive cycles of dissatisfaction.

Incorporating the concept of Dukkha into everyday life can be profoundly transformative, especially for students navigating the challenges and uncertainties of academic and personal life. Here are some ways students can apply this concept:

  1. Cultivating Mindfulness and Awareness: By being mindful, students can become more aware of the transient nature of their experiences. This awareness helps in recognizing that both pleasant and unpleasant experiences are temporary. For example, during periods of stress, such as exam preparation, mindfulness can help students understand that this stress is temporary and manageable.
  2. Developing Emotional Resilience: Understanding Dukkha can help students recognize that challenges and discomforts are a natural part of life. This recognition fosters emotional resilience, allowing students to face difficulties with a balanced perspective, rather than being overwhelmed by them.
  3. Practicing Non-Attachment: Students often face pressure to achieve high grades, secure job placements, or maintain social relationships. Recognizing the concept of Dukkha encourages a healthy detachment from these outcomes. This doesn’t mean not caring about results, but rather not getting overly attached to them, understanding that they are not the sole determinants of self-worth or happiness.
  4. Embracing Change and Uncertainty: The understanding that life is impermanent and ever-changing can help students become more adaptable and open to change. Whether it’s changing majors, ending relationships, or moving to new places, students can learn to embrace these changes as part of the natural flow of life.
  5. Finding Peace in the Present Moment: Dukkha teaches that longing for the future or dwelling on the past can be sources of discontent. Students can practice being present and finding contentment in the current moment, whether they are studying, spending time with friends, or engaging in hobbies.
  6. Compassion and Empathy: Understanding that Dukkha is a universal experience can foster a sense of empathy and compassion. Recognizing that others also face difficulties, students can cultivate a more compassionate attitude towards both themselves and others.
  7. Personal Growth and Self-Reflection: Acknowledging the presence of Dukkha can be a catalyst for personal growth. It can lead students to explore deeper questions about their values, aspirations, and the kind of life they want to lead.

By integrating the concept of Dukkha into their daily lives, students can develop a more balanced and insightful approach to their experiences, leading to greater emotional well-being and personal growth.

prompt: How can a buddhist balance non-attachment and a sense of ambition?

Answer: Balancing non-attachment and ambition in the context of Buddhist practice is an intriguing challenge, as it involves harmonizing a desire for achievement with an understanding of the impermanent and interdependent nature of existence. Here are some ways to approach this balance:

  1. Redefine Ambition: In Buddhism, ambition doesn’t need to be discarded but can be redirected towards more meaningful and altruistic goals. Instead of solely striving for personal success or material gains, one can channel ambition into endeavors that benefit others, align with ethical principles, and foster personal growth and understanding.
  2. Right Intention: The concept of ‘Right Intention,’ part of the Noble Eightfold Path, emphasizes the importance of intentions rooted in compassion, kindness, and non-harming. When ambition is guided by these intentions, it becomes a vehicle for positive change rather than a source of personal attachment and ego-driven desires.
  3. Mindful Pursuit of Goals: Practicing mindfulness allows one to pursue goals with full awareness and presence. This means being fully engaged in the process rather than fixating on the outcome. It helps in recognizing and accepting the changing nature of circumstances and adapting accordingly.
  4. Understanding the Nature of Success and Failure: In Buddhism, experiences of success and failure are seen as impermanent and not defining of one’s true self. By internalizing this understanding, a Buddhist can pursue ambitions while maintaining a sense of equanimity, not overly elated by success nor devastated by failure.
  5. Non-Attachment to Results: While it’s natural to have goals, non-attachment involves letting go of the fixation on specific outcomes. This doesn’t imply lack of effort or care, but rather an acceptance of whatever results arise from one’s efforts, knowing that these are influenced by a multitude of factors, many of which are beyond individual control.
  6. Engaging in Selfless Service: Ambition can be balanced with the concept of selfless service or ‘Seva’ in Buddhist practice. By focusing on how one’s actions and achievements can serve others and contribute to the greater good, ambition becomes a tool for social and communal improvement.
  7. Continuous Reflection and Adaptation: Regular reflection on one’s motivations and the impact of one’s actions is essential. This reflective practice helps in ensuring that ambition remains aligned with Buddhist principles and does not lead to harmful attachments or ego-centric pursuits.

By integrating these practices into daily life, a Buddhist can maintain a healthy sense of ambition that is in harmony with the principles of non-attachment, compassion, and mindfulness. This approach fosters a balanced and fulfilling path where personal goals are pursued without losing sight of the deeper values and interconnectedness of all life.

by jcuene

Sea of Clickbait  vs Keepers (the Last Lecture Concept)

I stumbled upon a lecture that was recorded as part of Stanfords “Last Lecture” series and, not surprisingly it was quite inspirational (because that was the goal of the whole series!). I wasn’t looking for something like this, specifically. But, the Youtube algorithm has been tuned well, and this particular message connected.

I got lucky, because there’s so much click-bait chum out there that it’s gotten very easy to block out and ignore the hype, yet this one link broke through. And for me, at that moment, it was a keeper. 

But, as the volume of content overall goes up, I know I’m missing some good and useful stuff,  the ideas and inspirational takes and information that might be helpful to me.  We’re overwhelmed with stuff to click on, with ideas to put in our face, courses to take, stuff to subscribe to. 

Like many, i’m “dropping out” in some ways. I’m just not taking the bait when I see the provocative headlines, because I don’t want to provide positive reinforcement  to someone just trying to get my click. 

And, I’ve realized I’m just sort of assuming more and more articles and essays and posts are machine generated and won’t hold any real value for me. Low quality content steals my time and attention. I’m afraid I’m losing faith in the internet. 

The “Last Lecture” concept from Stanford got me thinking about where and how to find the “good stuff.” We can’t trust the algorithms anymore because they are core to a business model. There are fewer and fewer actual curators (not to be confused with the traffic chasing instagram influencers who aspire to being “curators”) of great or interesting stories. 

This was a problem from, literally, day one of the internet, but it feels more urgent now for some reason. In the early days of the commercial internet, there was strong representation from the small army of librarians who were organizing what we being generated, making it findable and useful.  I wish there was a library and directory of the timeless, high quality work that was been generated and distributed across the web over the years. 

by jcuene

Workism is Making Us Miserable

This article came out while back, but it’s new to me and it’s coming at the right (or wrong?) time. I’m one of those people (guys) who have invested so much, probably too much, into “work” and all the things work does for us (and, specifically, men): financial reward, identity, intellectual stimulation, some relationships, power, sense of mastery, score-keeping. And, i admit, i’ve found “meaning” in work.

But, Thompson goes a bit further, arguing that work has replaced religion for many of us. Workism is…

the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production, but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose; and the belief that any policy to promote human welfare must always encourage more work.

The American Studies guy in me knows this is a real thing in America. It’s all over the place in culture (but that’s a different post).

And, Thompson weaves in, as a secondary point, that strain of thinking is driven mostly by men, unfortunately but not surprisingly. 

By 2005, the richest 10 percent of married men had the longest average workweek. In that same time, college-educated men reduced their leisure time more than any other group. Today, it is fair to say that elite American men have transformed themselves into the world’s premier workaholics, toiling longer hours than both poorer men in the U.S. and rich men in similarly rich countries.....Today’s rich American men can afford vastly more downtime. But they have used their wealth to buy the strangest of prizes: more work!

Here’s a key quote that gives you the gist of the rest of the article: 

But our desks were never meant to be our altars. The modern labor force evolved to serve the needs of consumers and capitalists, not to satisfy tens of millions of people seeking transcendence at the office. It’s hard to self-actualize on the job if you’re a cashier—one of the most common occupations in the U.S.—and even the best white-collar roles have long periods of stasis, boredom, or busywork. This mismatch between expectations and reality is a recipe for severe disappointment, if not outright misery, and it might explain why rates of depression and anxiety in the U.S. are “substantially higher” than they were in the 1980s, according to a 2014 study.

You might not be surprised to read the whole thing and realize that all that work is making us miserable, that the meaning we might find at work is illusory in the end, that the real value of work is the time we buy along the way and what we do with the outside of work, etc.

by jcuene

Writing is Thinking

Writing is thinking. A valuable essay on the power of writing and the role of writing in a world where AI will do your thinking for you.

Writing is the process by which you realize that you do not understand what you are talking about.

And, the power of editing and revising, the need to “kill your darlings” through deleting and clarifying.

Good quote from Paul Graham:

“A good writer doesn’t just think, and then write down what he thought, as a sort of transcript. A good writer will almost always discover new things in the process of writing.”

And, love this idea:

Many things can be done by tools that write for you, but they won’t help you learn to think, understand deeper, or solve hard problems.

I still think that clarity in thinking and clear communication = a super power.

by jcuene

How to Ask for 100M Euros for a Big Idea

Mistral’s 100Eu Pitch deck – A couple things to point out. AI will be a geopolitical issue. Haven’t been thinking much about this angle, but it’s really sensible if you start to think long long term. Meanwhile, this is another clear argument that clean, quality data will be a differentiator. This is, to a relative outside, a lucid articulation of the need and of the opportunity. I’m not super deep in the space, but I find it as persuasive as many other “big ideas”. Finally, so glad to see the investment pitch coming in memo form vs. powerpoint deck. So much more thoughtful. Makes you wish for the old days of a business plan vs. PPT .

by jcuene

A Hallucination: Kerouac on the power of investing

I asked ChatGPT (JackGPT) to conjure up an imaginary letter to kids about investing.


Dear Cats and Kittens,

Ah, the road! The open highway, the endless possibilities, and the lure of freedom. That’s what we dig, isn’t it? Living life on our own terms, pursuing the kicks and the thrills that make our souls sing. And what’s more, doing it all while being young and free. But hey, dig this: how about we take a little detour from the usual road trip and venture into the wild world of investing? Yeah, you heard me right. Let’s talk about makin’ some green, baby!

Now, I ain’t no suit-wearing Wall Street cat, nor am I some genius mathematician crunching numbers in a corner office. I’m just a wanderer, a free spirit, sharing a few thoughts on how you can make your money work for you. See, we all want to retire early, don’t we? To say goodbye to the daily grind and embark on endless adventures. Well, my friends, let me drop some pearls of wisdom your way.

First things first, forget the naysayers. They’ll tell you that money is the root of all evil, that chasing riches will consume your soul. But hey, let me tell you a little secret: money is a tool. It’s a means to an end. And if used wisely, it can set you free. So don’t be afraid to dream big and aim high.

Now, investing ain’t no magic potion. It takes a little bit of know-how, some guts, and a whole lot of patience. But trust me, it’s worth it. So here’s my first piece of advice: educate yourself. Read books, listen to podcasts, attend workshops, and learn from the pioneers who came before us. Knowledge is power, my friends, and it’s the first step towards financial independence.

Once you’ve got a good grasp of the basics, it’s time to take action. And boy, do we love action! But remember, investing is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about long-term gains, not quick wins. So resist the urge to jump on every hot stock tip you hear. Instead, focus on building a diversified portfolio. Spread your investments across different asset classes like stocks, bonds, and real estate. This way, if one area takes a hit, you won’t be left high and dry.

Speaking of stocks, let’s dive a little deeper. Now, I’m not gonna pretend I’m some guru who can predict the next Apple or Google. But here’s what I know: invest in what you believe in. Look for companies that align with your values and have a track record of success. And hey, don’t be afraid to take a risk now and then. Some of the greatest fortunes were made by those who dared to go against the grain.

But investing ain’t just about stocks. It’s also about building passive income streams. And let me tell you, my friends, there’s nothing sweeter than money rolling in while you’re sippin’ margaritas on a tropical beach. So consider real estate. Buy a property, rent it out, and let the tenants pay your mortgage. It’s a tried and true method that can provide a steady income for years to come.

Now, I know what you’re thinkin’: “But Jack, I’m young and broke. How can I even think about investing?” Well, my young padawan, let me share a little secret with you. It’s called compounding. It’s the eighth wonder of the world, as Einstein said. Start early, even if it’s just a few bucks a month. Let time work its magic, and watch your investments grow exponentially. Remember, a dollar saved today is worth a lot more than a dollar saved tomorrow.

But hey, life ain’t all about money, is it? It’s about experiences, adventures, and the joy of living. So don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Take risks, follow your passions, and don’t be afraid to fail. Because in the end, it’s the moments we cherish, the memories we create, and the people we love that truly enrich our lives.

So my friends, as you embark on this wild ride called investing, remember this: it’s not just about getting rich quick. It’s about creating a life that’s filled with freedom, joy, and a whole lot of kicks. It’s about retiring early, not to sit in some stuffy retirement home, but to keep living life to the fullest.

Now, go out there, my fellow wanderers, and make your dreams come true. The road is waiting, the possibilities are endless, and the adventure of a lifetime is just around the bend.

Go Go Go Go. Go find the open road,
Jack

image: From Dall-e. Prompt: A black and White image of Jack Kerouac. He’s holding a stack of money in his hands