What is at Stake is Most Precious
If I were asked to uncover the decline of America’s thinking and writing, I believe I would point to the cultural changes of family and parenting that started soon after the presence of television in our homes. When writers such as Walter Lippman, Alan Bloom and Christopher Lasch observed the growing number of people dependent on technology, they noticed the emergence of a powerlessness[1] and a fragility.
In earlier cultures, many families and parents directed their children to depend upon good books, relationships with others and with God for information, advice, wisdom, and pleasurable conversation. But in a highly advancing technological society, people’s first inclination when faced with a dilemma, a question, even a frustration is to open up Google, search the internet or verbally ask Siri. In fact, now we can type in a topic or question for AIChatGPT and an entire essay can be written.
It didn’t take long until writers noticed the lack of reading books turning people’s strengths into weakness as Alan Bloom noted in The Closing of the American Mind, “The failure to read good books both enfeebles the vision and strengthens our most fatal tendency–the belief that the here and now is all there is.”[2] Christopher Lasch continues the thought with more clarity: “With our growing dependence on technologies no one seems to understand or control our rise to feelings of powerlessness and victimization. We find it more and more difficult to achieve a sense of continuity, permanence or connection with the world around us. Relationships with others are notably fragile”[3]
What Are the Dangers of AI?
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I shared the above quote with a speech therapist friend who works with children ages birth to 6 years old. Her response? If parents stopped handing their children a device every time they wanted their child occupied, she’d be out of a job. When I pressed her further she claimed any form of technology keeps a child from speaking well and interacting with other human beings verbally.[4] As I listened to Sal Khan’s TED talk[5] on how using AI promotes positive transformation, I reflected on one of his arguments: AI brings life to education. He said in his program AI doesn’t write for you, it writes with you.
Might the idea of AI enhancing a student’s writing skills be sacrificing conversation for mere efficiency? In 2015, Sherry Turkle wrote The New York Times bestseller, Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age, a perceptive book noting how phones in hand, we turn away from our children, friends, and coworkers, even from ourselves.[6] The danger is that artificial intelligence is being offered as a sociable companion. As Turkle warns, “What is at stake is precious, the most precious things that people know how to offer each other.”[7]
What are the Limits of AI?
Sal Kahn also points out another way AI could save (not destroy) education when he demonstrates how AI utilizes “Socratizing” by asking students questions as a teacher would.[8] Apparently, children can be schooled in how to have conversations with a machine that may broadly banter but doesn’t comprehend a student’s meaning at all. The limitation of AI is it can know our schedules, the literal content of our email, our preferences in food and drink and shows, and can sense our bodily movements–but AI won’t deeply understand what or why any of these things mean to us personally.
What Are the Possibilities of AI?
If we’re going to build a culture in which we are more efficient by using AI, then what past practices do we keep to ensure our meaning is understood? Being understood seems to be a universal cry of the human heart in 2023. Julian Treasure’s words rang in my ears while I read about AI when he wrote about the problem he sees, “Key forces working against listening noise is a chief complaint.”[9] The possibilities of AI in education may be achieved by ensuring students still engage in listening and that human voices are still used as instruments.
Recently, I learned how to play the online video game Rubicon. Two weeks ago, a younger relative met me on Zoom while we shared screens. I needed to learn the game for a work project as I was struggling in mastering the strategies. After reading the directions online, I started playing the game. Not only did I lose, I was defeated quickly. At face value, the game presents itself as if the winner just conquers the most territory by connecting the dots as quickly as possible. Easy enough, right? Nope. Watching my relative win against the computer time and again (and hearing his voice), I figured out what I was missing: I learned to take a defensive approach by stopping my opponent from taking over certain sides and lines on the board first! Defense mode had to drive me the second the game started. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong and how to play the game from a defensive position, I quickly held back my opponent. I learned how to play Rubicon by watching a master game player win and by asking pointed questions along the way. AI served me well by saving me hours of trying to figure out something on my own. But the sound of a human being’s voice and being understood for what I meant left me feeling strong and powerful. Maybe we can try to build a future of both.
[1] Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind.
[2] Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind. p.64
[3] Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism.
[4] Christakis et al., “Audible Television and Decreased Adult Words, Infant Vocalizations, and Conversational Turns.”
[5] How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education | Sal Khan | TED.
[6] Turkle, “Reclaiming Conversation.”
[7] Turkle, “Reclaiming Conversation.” p.173
[8] How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education | Sal Khan | TED.
[9] Treasure, How to Be Heard.
About the Author
Pam Lau
Pamela Havey Lau brings more than 25 years of experience in speaking, teaching, writing and mediating. She has led a variety of groups, both small and large, in seminars, trainings, conferences and teachings. Pam’s passion is to see each person communicate with their most authentic voice with a transparent faith in Jesus Christ. With more than 10, 000 hours of writing, researching, and teaching the heart and soul of Pam’s calling comes from decades of walking alongside those who have experienced healing through pain and peace through conflict. As a professor and author, Pam deeply understands the role of mentoring and building bridges from one generation to another. She has developed a wisdom in how to connect leaders with their teams. Her skill in facilitating conversations extends across differences in families, businesses, schools, universities, and nonprofits. Pam specializes in simplifying complex issues and as a business owner, has helped numerous CEOs and leaders communicate effectively. She is the author of Soul Strength (Random House) and A Friend in Me (David C. Cook) and is a frequent contributor to online and print publications. You can hear Pam’s podcast on Real Life with Pamela Lau on itunes. Currently, Pam is a mediator for families, churches, and nonprofits. You can contact Pam through her website: PamelaLau.com. Brad and Pam live in Newberg, Oregon; they have three adult daughters and one son-in-law. One small, vocal dog, Cali lives in the family home where she tries to be the boss! As a family they enjoy worshiping God, tennis, good food and spending time with family and friends.16 responses to “What is at Stake is Most Precious”
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“AI won’t deeply understand what or why any of these things mean to us personally”… a great way of putting this, Pam. I agree. I wonder if another piece of this puzzle is our hurried pace contributes to our resistance to slow down for that deep understanding? If I can do it quickly with AI, then I can move on and skip all that deep, hard thinking? I feel like I fall into that trap.
Thanks for the engaging post!
Jen,
Absolutely! John Mark Comer wrote a book called, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” I haven’t read it but I hear he addresses the issue you raise. Ironically, when I envision the future, I often see robotic type people efficiently living life at warped speed, no feelings, just production. How do we lean into a future another way?
What a fascinating perspective from your speech therapist friend. Fast-fowarding to college-aged kids and even considering us in graduate school, what do you think an academic institution’s approach should be to AI ? Limit it as much as possible? Embrace it whole-heartedly? Or somewhere in between?
Kim,
GFU president Robin Baker and VP of Digital learning, Brian Doak presented their findings on your exact question. I wish I could cut and paste their thoughts here.
They Referenced a book by Thomas Friedman called, “Thank you for Being Late,” a book that explores the impact of technology, globalization and other factors on the modern world. I will try to share the key learnings another way. Perhaps during Monday’s chat?
Pam, when I find an author writing a paragraph that is the core principle of the book, or something that changes my perspective, I often write in the margins THIS.
THIS was screaming out at me while I read your blog.
You wrote: “Might the idea of AI enhancing a student’s writing skills be sacrificing conversation for mere efficiency?”
In all my consternation and then acceptance of AI as an invalid or valid tool, I hadn’t stopped to consider whether it might be a perfectly valid tool, that has imperfectly unintended consequences.
Thank you for reminding me that human, face-to-face connection is the key to so much and that even if a tool is helpful, we should be cautious of what it replaces.
Tim,
You say it perfectly: Unintended consequences. I find now, more than ever before, I need God’s counsel, wisdom and direction as I work throughout my days. Real, meaningful connections with people comes in all different forms. Has the fall out of COVID insolation not taught us what happens to the human soul with too much isolation and lack of human contact? My question for you as a pastor is have you observed a shift in your congregation’s needs for emotional strength? Or have you not observed a fragility?
Without question, AI is here to stay. We can’t put that genie back in the bottle. So, how do we leverage it? How do we utilize it responsibly? How do we maximize its effectiveness, while not forsaking our soul in the process?
So many questions. This weeks prompt, blogs and replies have been so, very stimulating!
John,
I wonder at times what the role of the Church is in being a sanctuary for people who just want to rest from the world of rapid change?
You mention, “In earlier cultures, many families and parents directed their children to depend upon good books, relationships with others and with God for information, advice, wisdom, and pleasurable conversation.” Reading the Little House on the Prairie books to my daughter I was so impressed by the amount of time families spent together. With no central heating or air, with so many chores to do to just keep the household running, to a lack of contemporary entertainment (movies, tv, etc), they depended on each other – and on the talents they each possessed. They would play the violin, sing, dance, etc and that was enough for them. On the other hand, my teenagers quickly disappear to their bedroom where they are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, they can talk to their friends on phones, and play video games on x-boxes. To be honest, I am not cut out for Little House on the Prairie life but some more family time (time during which we are happy and get along!) would be really nice!
Kally~
Andy Crouch wrote a book called, Tech-Wise Family which covers ways families can find more quality time together in a digital age. Interestingly, his 19-year-old daughter wrote a book in response called, “The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationships in a Technological World.” I hear everything you wrote with a longing in my spiritual mother’s heart for the whole realm of parents who are in the beautiful chaos of raising a family! The playing field has changed and the competition is something we don’t totally know/understand yet. Years ago, my incredibly brilliant mother-in-law encouraged me to ask myself, “Who do we want to be as a family?” That single question sparked in me new visions and possibilities when my girls were littles. You are a terrific, encouraging Mom! Looking forward to seeing you in Oxford!
Hey Pam. In your first paragraph you quoted about the emergence of technology and how it led to powerlessness and fragility. That really stopped me in my tracks because I thought, what does it mean to be powerless and fragile due to an advance in technology? Maybe it means to allow something to control us in such a way it makes us vulnerable in ways we are not aware. Therefore powerlessness and fragility can lead to not being self-aware. I guess the constant use of AI has the potential to dull erode us academically, emotionally, or even mentally but we may not be aware of it. Thanks for the food for thought, Pam. You’re brilliant!
Todd,
You said it exactly: technology’s overuse leaves us vulnerably unaware. I look forward to talking about this with our cohort tomorrow! What’s brilliant is that way we converse as a group!
This is a really interesting thought for me of what you wrote “If parents stopped handing their children a device every time they wanted their child occupied, she’d be out of a job. When I pressed her further she claimed any form of technology keeps a child from speaking well and interacting with other human beings verbally.” I think I normally would agree, except an iPad and Thomas the Tank Engine helped my Child with Autism learn how to have a conversation! He would memorize and speak direct lines from the films, and most amazingly would say the right line in the right context so much, that adults would think he was brilliant! I agree, he was, and at first I was super concerned that these were not original thoughts, except they were AI for my child who could not get his thoughts out! They are in there, and through technology, you tube, tik Tok my 16 year old has ways to communicate to the world! Not to argue with what the speech therapist said, I think in essence she is right, but man all I can say is thank God for technology, it gave my son words to connect to me:)
Jana,
I appreciate you for bringing out this highly important distinction. The study I quoted in the paragraph with the my speech therapist friend was not focused on children with autism. Thank you for writing about your 16-year-old son and how technology supports his communication skills–this distinction is what creates the tension for us as readers and thinkers and parents. It’s not black and white and either/or. And yes! Thank God for technology for all the ways you connect with your son and us with others. See you tomorrow!
Hi Pam,
Nice post.
I am reading a book called Rare Leadership and it describes leaders who focus on relationships and joy.
I bring this up because your post described about how our human fascination with technology (cellphones and video games) can take us away from relationships.
I think we have ample evidence that shows this to be true. With that being said, the fact you were in a zoom relationship with a younger relative learning to play Rubicon, also demonstrated to me that AI is like any other tool.
It is how we use it that matters.
Verify before Publication (my new AI Motto)
Warner, Marcus, and E. James Wilder. Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.
Russell~ I am always grateful for new book recommendations! And who doesn’t need/want more Trust and Joy with others? Your post causes me to wonder and ask the question: Can leaders be taught this? How might we begin teaching young children the satisfaction, joy and gratitude that flourishes in human relationships when it’s not sacrificed on the altar of efficiency through technology? Thanks always, Russell, for the way you engage!