Once upon a time not so very long ago, artificial intelligence (AI) was a product of speculative science fiction, especially in films from Metropolis to Blade Runner.

Today, AI has so infiltrated our daily lives, the thought of not having access to Google or other AI-driven apps on our mobile phones and computers scares the crap out of a lot of people. 

Paul continues his investigation into AI with able assistance from author, Silicon Valley survivor and depth psychologist Elizabeth Nelson who explores the wide gulf between human and machine this week on Spirit Gym.

Check out Elizabeth’s essays and individual coaching groups, watch her video presentations and read her essays on her website.

Timestamps

7:54 Defining technology and machines.

12:05 Artificial intelligence, large language models (LLMs) or large language machines?

19:12 “Technology is not neutral.”

23:48 Confusing data and information with real knowledge.

29:50 The intrusion of machine language into our humanity.

37:45 The danger of LLMs emulating humans.

51:23 Exploring the gulf between human and cyborg/machine in books and films like Blade Runner.

57:23 When describing what AI does, calling it making crap up or AI slop is better than hallucinating.

1:08:26 Are we turning an it like AI into a being?

1:14:15 The irony of some people celebrating the end times while others turn to transhumanism.

1:38:18 Can you leave your tech toys at home for a week without feeling anxiety?

1:49:48 Why is it so important for humanity to understand very clearly what reality is?

Resources

Depth Psychology, Myth and Artificial Intelligence: Soul and the Machine, edited by Jason Batt and Jonathan Erickson

The Art of Jungian Couples Therapy: An Introduction by Elizabeth Nelson and Anthony Delmedico

The Art of Inquiry: A Depth Psychology Perspective by Elizabeth Nelson and Joseph Coppin

Psyche’s Knife: Archetypal Explorations of Love and Power by Elizabeth Nelson

Journal of Jungian Scholarly Studies

Understanding Media: The Extension of Man by Marshall McLuhan and Lewis Lapham 

Elizabeth’s Psyche, Soma, Cyborg course at the Pacifica Graduate Institute

The Ship of Theseus (Theseus’s Paradox)

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

Exteroception

Elysium

The work of James Hillman and Edward Edinger

Paul’s podcast conversation with B. Earl

DNA: Pirates of the Sacred Spiral by Leonard Horowitz

Frankenstein: Or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

The Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World’s Religions by Huston Smith

The Social Dilemma on Netflix

Elizabeth’s presentation during the recent Soul and the Machine webinar on the International Society of Mythology website

Find more resources for this episode on our website.

Music Credit: Meet Your Heroes (444Hz), Composed, mixed, mastered and produced by Michael RB Schwartz of Brave Bear Music

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