Mind, Incompetence, and the Rise of AI: Navigating Mental Clarity in a Measured World

In our previous blogs, we have covered the aspects of the mind, every person deals with, in their day to day life. As we move on to more general open ended topics/concepts, for a single point of view there may be contrary, supporting and thousand other point of views. That is the way the mind and logic is and the way the discussion should be.

Incompetence and handling it

Competence in simple terms can be defined having the required ability combined with a minimum quality standard, when the either the standard is not met or the ability is missing, it is termed as incompetence.

This is not a blog about do it yourself tips in handling the perceived incompetence. There is no magic wand to handle incompetence. Only solution is to objectively look at what is lacking, the ability or the minimum standard, or both, then get to work on it. Excuses, procrastination are all milestones in the journey towards competence. Good luck !

Opinion is an Opinion - It's neither competence nor incompetence

With all due respect and much more, to all the experts in their specific domains, an expert opinion is still an opinion and that can/should/need to be questioned. That is how progress itself progresses.

As modern society puts strains and new conditioning on the individuals mind, individuals like us should be able to see the external changes and adapt to the new environment. This is one of the competences that each and everyone should look to develop.

Measure, measure and measure - All the way to treasure ?

In the current world where quantification is prime, everything needs quantification, from the amount of rain drops falling, speed of the blowing wind, heat of the shining sun, count of steps taken in a walk, and so on. Agreed the above quoted examples are needed for protection, planning, research and other stuff. Quantification has its limits this has to be clearly understood.

Data and Intelligence - Artificial or Real ?

As a result of this quantification we have data, more data , and lots more data. Human ingenuity has created a science out of it called "Data Sciences" and an actionable intelligence out of it, sleekly referred to as Artificial Intelligence.

With the marketing and sales, assisting the science and intelligence combine, the promise of a new AI era coupled with manifold wealth generation will be sufficient for the corporations and business to jump in.

As the flux happens at a large scale around the world, individuals will be left to themselves to handle consequence of the new shift.

What does Data Science and Artificial Intelligence got to do with Incompetence ?

Try multiplying 456789 x 987654 yourself with in half a minute, if we accept our failure in this calculation, we can safely agree that the calculator is more competent than all people. For those still calculating 451149483006 is the answer.! 

This strikes at the core of the issues we will be addressing in the future, As more and more data is collected and turned into actionable intelligence using powerful chips, advanced statistical models, the one item being left out, in all of this is the Human.

It is not out the realms, in the future, that for any logical activity to be carried out, Humans will be labelled as incompetent and put out of work. Signs are clear and visible.

The prevailing situation is a double edged sword as more and more are labelled incompetent, the social and individual consequences hard to predict, but the overall trajectory is pointing to more control and  resistance at one end of the sword and flowering of creativity on the other.

Where do we stand

If we are sure about being struck by a double edged sword, lets choose the end which is more blunt and less painful, a logical choice indeed. Currently as the calculators laugh at our incompetence, other automated processes, tools and procedures will laugh at our incompetence in future.

So being prepared mentally, for the wave of incompetence to be unleashed by Artificial Intelligence and the new way of doing the logical activities, will key in defining our journey towards crafting a joyful life. 

If this reflection sparked something in you, consider supporting the journey — one coffee at a time