Sam Altman -- who was the CEO of OpenAI at the time before his recent unceremonial defenestration -- said this recently in an interview with the Wall Street Journal (10/24/23 print edition, online reads slightly different): "The two things that will matter most over the next decade or few decades to improving the human condition are abundant and inexpensive intelligence: the more powerful, the more general, the smarter the better."
I disagree. We aren't going to be able to smart our way out of our various current predicaments. Honestly there are plenty of intelligent people around and if smarts were the issue, we'd be just fine.
For humanity to survive and thrive more of us need to be rowing in the same direction more consistently and acting in a manner that is aligned with what we say we want. Which means we need good leadership and also good listening all up and down society. We can't be sitting around waiting for the next Obama to come inspire us with stunning oratory. Though a few of them wouldn't hurt. Getting our shit together will not ultimately be an intellectual act but a matter of spirit, will and reshaping our notion of what a/the good life is.
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