will "good enough" ever be good enough?
In case you haven't noticed, artificial intelligence and it's potential for destroying humankind has been a hot topic lately. Evidently, we are racing toward the end of life on earth, one iteration at a time.
An argument might be made that we are doing a pretty good job of messing things up without the assistance of AI.
I'm not a "tech" guy. At least not like many of you out here on the small web. I don't code, have my own server, or understand phrases like "static site generator." I certainly won't pretend to know the ins and outs of AI, or big tech. But, my "lurking" in the small web world has increased my awareness, and reticence, regarding big tech and how much information we willingly hand over for the sake of convenience. I'm wondering if we will ever arrive at a point where our technology is "good enough."
For a simplistic example, consider smart phones. Mine allows me to talk, text, video chat, surf the internet, pay bills, listen to the internet, check my bank account, tap to pay at stores, take photos, and a lot more.
What else would I want from my phone?
I'm not sure. A light saber feature would be pretty cool, I guess.
Truly, I don't need to drop a grand for a different color, an "upgraded" camera, or a faster model. My phone is "good enough."
Phones are "low stakes", but I wonder if we are using similar strategies and pushing the limits on more sophisticated technology until our inevitable demise. Virtual climbers who attempt taller and taller "summits" -- without oxygen, as fast as possible, in shorts, Birkenstocks, a t-shirt...while wearing a weighted vest.
Let's create a robot that vacuums. Now, can we make one that runs faster than humans? Give it an AI brain? A gun? Nuclear codes?
Maybe our phones, our internet, our email, our televisions, and our robots are good enough.
I'm going to pause here and let you know that my family has an Amazon Prime account. I own an iPhone. I have Gmail. I recognize that I contribute to the problem, and I certainly benefit from advances in technology.
I don't know how we determine where to push boundaries. I'm not sure how we place ethical limits on the development and use of technology. Maybe we could begin with common sense and a bit of restraint? If we are on the cusp of a breakthrough treatment for a deadly disease, pursue that. If Meta wants you to wear their glasses and become a walking input for Muse, maybe we throw out the caution flag.
I understand that capitalist forces are at work that make limits unattractive. Not a lot of successful business models are built on the "we are good enough" slogan.
However, I lived in a world without the internet, and I could do it again if necessary. It would be less convenient. But, I could go to the post office, use the public library to read books, shop local more often, read a newspaper, pay cash, develop film, and listen to records (or eight tracks, or cassette tapes, or compact discs). I could even use a landline if necessary. It would be okay. In fact, I'd probably benefit from a number of these changes.
But, none of us have to do any of these things. We get to choose how, and when, we use technology. We can set boundaries, and create demand (or stagnation). We can also do all of that stuff (or some of it) even though we have a plethora of digital tools. And...it would probably be good for us.
It's our choice. We have more control than we think we do. Maybe we can settle for "good enough" from time to time.