Siri’s good for turning my iPhone light on and off. She also does quite well with pulling up websites with the information I need. I’ve decided not to fear AI any longer, but to learn to use it for spreading the gospel.
God gave it to us. It can do immense good. If the evil beings decide to come after me…well, I’ll cross that bridge with Jesus when I come to it.
Siri’s good for turning my iPhone light on and off. She also does quite well with pulling up websites with the information I need. I’ve decided not to fear AI any longer, but to learn to use it for spreading the gospel.
God gave it to us. It can do immense good. If the evil beings decide to come after me…well, I’ll cross that bridge with Jesus when I come to it.
Interesting take. I say that about all technologies—they can be good or bad depending on how you use them. Like fire—it can warm you and cook your food, or it can burn your house down or kill you.
And it depends on choices for how to use them. If I didn’t hear reports, I would have no idea about evil things on the internet. Just like in real life, I don’t go to those places.
In general I agree but I believe there are areas forbidden to man like technology creating man/animal hybrids, manipulating genetic material that “enhance human function” (Can’t be done but they still try) cloning human beings, building a Tower to reach Heaven, etc. It’s like man wants to be God even from the beginning.
I totally agree with you there. I think trying to genetically modify what God has made can be very evil.
But I think if bad genes could be replaced with good ones to heal conditions, that might be viewed as very beneficial to mankind. I’m thinking of one, not handicapping, just disfiguring that I’ve had since preadolescence. One bad, bad gene. That I unfortunately passed on to some of my children and grandchildren and it really makes me sad.
I don’t give it a thought. If the feds decided they wanted me, they could take me. If they want to persecute or prosecute me for living my life as a free child of God and that’s in God’s plan for me, it’ll happen.
In the meantime I know at least half the human population must have cell phones now. And I know there’s some massive storage places collecting all our texts and calls. And I picture that scene at the end of Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark, where the Ark is stored, swallowed up in this massive warehouse. And you just think, well, that’s never gonna see the light of day again.
And given the level of proven incompetence in our government, I wonder if they really can manage such a universe of communications. Or are they exaggerating to frighten us into complacency? I’m sure they can do some specific targeting, but can they really watch us all all the time?
I think that’s what I’m realizing. My old geezer friends love their political groups and somebody is always trying to get me to go to meetings. Finally someone I can’t say no to asked me and I went to one. And it’s a marvelous socializing and small scale networking activity, but I can’t see it saving the nation.
I tell them I’m a keypad warrior. They do their part, but I feel called to influence a bigger field.
I think it’s all about you and what you personally do on line. The internet can’t reach out and pull me into anything. I know my Master’s voice and I’m heaven-bent on following it.
You are made of stern stuff, WS. I know that for me, I can end up wasting too much precious time perseverating on things over which I have absolutely no control. Twitter too often becomes a "near occasion of sin" for me tempting me to indulge in my anger. My husband gave up all internet for Lent and hasn't gone back (and he was already quite limited in his use getting most of his news from The Babylon Bee :)). All I know is I was happier and more productive before I began consuming events through Twitter. I honestly can't point to any person in my life who uses social media or the internet in ways that aren't problematic (I particularly reset the ways my children are affected and we held out long past most in even giving them access - but once granted, it is like a black hole).
I have said so many times, I am so glad I’m not having to raise my children in this age of social media.
For my grandchildren, they did not and will not get cell phones until they’re in high school. None of this 10 year old with a phone stuff. They all try ‘all my friends have a phone’ and ‘what if I have an emergency?’ Well, if all your friends have phones and there’s an emergency ask to borrow one.
Mostly they’ve had to get jobs and buy their own.
I know that’s tough, but you’re the boss. You make the rules. If you want to take possession of the phones from say 10:00 p.m. till 7:00 a,m. do it.
All true, WS. In our house we did not give cell phones to kids until they were 16. With kid #5 he was literally the only student in his grade without a cell phone (other students were going to chip in an buy him a phone). Plus, we have pretty strict control over his use but even when it is in his possession, it is total immersion. And, sad to say, my older kids who are in their twenties, aren't much better. It takes enormous self-discipline the likes of which I don't think many people possess.
I agree, but it can be a greater or lesser struggle depending on the person. I find it easy to dive into reading or watching stuff and lose track of time, and it's taken me quite a while to build discipline over it (and still not perfect!). I know others who can't resist arguing all night when "someone is wrong on the internet"; and of course, knowing that p*rn can be found easily is a temptation for some too... or instant gratification of online shopping.
On the other hand, I find a lot of positives out of it, educationally for example - lots of great videos explaining technology, theology, economics etc - or in connecting with like-minded people such as here on C&C. So as I said, I agree, but as with all things in life it's a matter for wisdom and self-control.
I know. I’m well into senior hood and hope I’m older and wiser. The things of this world don’t matter to me that much anymore. When I was younger, I made many bad choices.
And I’m so glad I’m not raising kids now. It was hard enough back in the day.
But I know this to be true from personal experience:
Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I have stories about a faithful God, who has the answer to everything.
Siri’s good for turning my iPhone light on and off. She also does quite well with pulling up websites with the information I need. I’ve decided not to fear AI any longer, but to learn to use it for spreading the gospel.
God gave it to us. It can do immense good. If the evil beings decide to come after me…well, I’ll cross that bridge with Jesus when I come to it.
Interesting take. I say that about all technologies—they can be good or bad depending on how you use them. Like fire—it can warm you and cook your food, or it can burn your house down or kill you.
All things are permitted to us, but not all things are good for us? Some feller said words to that effect, once upon a time.
And it depends on choices for how to use them. If I didn’t hear reports, I would have no idea about evil things on the internet. Just like in real life, I don’t go to those places.
In general I agree but I believe there are areas forbidden to man like technology creating man/animal hybrids, manipulating genetic material that “enhance human function” (Can’t be done but they still try) cloning human beings, building a Tower to reach Heaven, etc. It’s like man wants to be God even from the beginning.
I totally agree with you there. I think trying to genetically modify what God has made can be very evil.
But I think if bad genes could be replaced with good ones to heal conditions, that might be viewed as very beneficial to mankind. I’m thinking of one, not handicapping, just disfiguring that I’ve had since preadolescence. One bad, bad gene. That I unfortunately passed on to some of my children and grandchildren and it really makes me sad.
It is called hubris. The Greek gods hated this in man. What does our God feel about it?
"MY grace is sufficient for you" comes to mind....
True. But in many ways technology always does that in some way. This is just closer.
🗨 Technology is an amplifier. It makes the good better, and the bad worse.
(same Svetski again)
Exactly.
As long as you don't mind your phone always listening in on you.
Well, every once in awhile, I say, “Did you get that FBI? Should I repeat it?”
I don’t give it a thought. If the feds decided they wanted me, they could take me. If they want to persecute or prosecute me for living my life as a free child of God and that’s in God’s plan for me, it’ll happen.
In the meantime I know at least half the human population must have cell phones now. And I know there’s some massive storage places collecting all our texts and calls. And I picture that scene at the end of Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark, where the Ark is stored, swallowed up in this massive warehouse. And you just think, well, that’s never gonna see the light of day again.
And given the level of proven incompetence in our government, I wonder if they really can manage such a universe of communications. Or are they exaggerating to frighten us into complacency? I’m sure they can do some specific targeting, but can they really watch us all all the time?
🗨 AI. It is a tool. It is a technology. It is NOT a new life-form, despite what the lonely nerds like Yudkowski(* so desperately want to believe.
🗨 the only way we can fight black-hat AI is with white-hat AI
(h/t Aleksandar Svetski of authenticintelligence.substack.com)
--
(* of 'nuclear-bomb the server farms' infamy
I think that’s what I’m realizing. My old geezer friends love their political groups and somebody is always trying to get me to go to meetings. Finally someone I can’t say no to asked me and I went to one. And it’s a marvelous socializing and small scale networking activity, but I can’t see it saving the nation.
I tell them I’m a keypad warrior. They do their part, but I feel called to influence a bigger field.
It is getting harder and harder to maintain that technology is morally neutral.
I think it’s all about you and what you personally do on line. The internet can’t reach out and pull me into anything. I know my Master’s voice and I’m heaven-bent on following it.
You are made of stern stuff, WS. I know that for me, I can end up wasting too much precious time perseverating on things over which I have absolutely no control. Twitter too often becomes a "near occasion of sin" for me tempting me to indulge in my anger. My husband gave up all internet for Lent and hasn't gone back (and he was already quite limited in his use getting most of his news from The Babylon Bee :)). All I know is I was happier and more productive before I began consuming events through Twitter. I honestly can't point to any person in my life who uses social media or the internet in ways that aren't problematic (I particularly reset the ways my children are affected and we held out long past most in even giving them access - but once granted, it is like a black hole).
I have said so many times, I am so glad I’m not having to raise my children in this age of social media.
For my grandchildren, they did not and will not get cell phones until they’re in high school. None of this 10 year old with a phone stuff. They all try ‘all my friends have a phone’ and ‘what if I have an emergency?’ Well, if all your friends have phones and there’s an emergency ask to borrow one.
Mostly they’ve had to get jobs and buy their own.
I know that’s tough, but you’re the boss. You make the rules. If you want to take possession of the phones from say 10:00 p.m. till 7:00 a,m. do it.
All true, WS. In our house we did not give cell phones to kids until they were 16. With kid #5 he was literally the only student in his grade without a cell phone (other students were going to chip in an buy him a phone). Plus, we have pretty strict control over his use but even when it is in his possession, it is total immersion. And, sad to say, my older kids who are in their twenties, aren't much better. It takes enormous self-discipline the likes of which I don't think many people possess.
I agree, but it can be a greater or lesser struggle depending on the person. I find it easy to dive into reading or watching stuff and lose track of time, and it's taken me quite a while to build discipline over it (and still not perfect!). I know others who can't resist arguing all night when "someone is wrong on the internet"; and of course, knowing that p*rn can be found easily is a temptation for some too... or instant gratification of online shopping.
On the other hand, I find a lot of positives out of it, educationally for example - lots of great videos explaining technology, theology, economics etc - or in connecting with like-minded people such as here on C&C. So as I said, I agree, but as with all things in life it's a matter for wisdom and self-control.
I know. I’m well into senior hood and hope I’m older and wiser. The things of this world don’t matter to me that much anymore. When I was younger, I made many bad choices.
And I’m so glad I’m not raising kids now. It was hard enough back in the day.
But I know this to be true from personal experience:
Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I have stories about a faithful God, who has the answer to everything.