The Nomadic Blog

8 Responses

1. What an interesting perspective. This idea was actually introduced to me in a different forum just a day or two ago. As the machines we build not only do our work, but increasingly do that work more efficiently than we can, what will be left for humanity to do?
   The interviewee’s answer was that humanity will be forced to return to our most human characteristics- relationships with God and our fellowmen. And he was quite enthusiastic about it.
   I think there is merit to the idea. AI can produce, analyze, summarize, and communicate at remarkable speed—but it is only as good as its training. The need for cultured minds will become greater.
   People who understand the past and can therefore glimpse the future; who recognize beauty and can distinguish it from mere novelty; who possess good judgment and discerning taste; who can communicate ideas clearly and, most importantly, cultivate meaningful relationships with other people and with God—those may be precisely the qualities that become most valuable in an increasingly automated world.
   I can see how the future could be a kind of “revenge of the humanities.”

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2. I think that literate people are becoming more valuable than ever, and I would encourage teens to read the classics, learn from history. If it was true then it’s true now, perhaps with some modifications, but there are eternal truths that can be found, and when applied will help one greatly.

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3. I think we are going to see a little bit of the economist “k curve.” Those who value humanities and such will continue to increase their studies and understanding more than our current average. On the opposite side, people who do not value or see the good of them will study/know them even less.

   I sure hope they don’t become a lost art however. Society is much better off when we remember to learn from the past.

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4. We noticed that Spotify has started flagging music as AI generated. Although it seems like that sort of product will have a market, it also seems that live performance will become more valuable.

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5. Many professions either outright require continuing education in order to maintain your license. Other professions do not require continuing education, yet in order to maintain relevance must continue to learn in order to keep up with changes in the profession. I spoke with someone who earned a degree in computer programming. At that time she used a card punch to enter code into the computer. She said that none of the computer classes she took then are relevant now, and since then has had to learn on her own in order to keep up. However, she has to write reports and give presentations, so she actually uses, daily, what she learned in Communication and English classes, although no employer has ever asked her if she took those classes.

   I have been subjected to bullying daily by person after person. Everyone does it, so it must be ok and even the correct thing to do. Yes? I would love it if someone was capable of independent thought and action and maybe didn’t just follow along with the bullying, but actually stood up for me/with me. If studying humanities helps with that, it’s got my vote.

   In the materialistic society we live in, unless employers can understand the value of hiring someone with a degree in humanities, then a degree in humanities isn’t going to get you a foot in the door, though those classes may help you once you have been there for a while.

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6. – [ ] I believe they hold a skill set that younger generations won’t have because of AI culture. I think they are “defensive” of literacy in the humanities because they desperately want the world to see the value of knowledge earned by doing the hard, sometimes tedious, work of studying the humanities/classics and all that entails. It’s not as pretty as studying STEM subjects. It’s not flashy. It may not seem relevant to newer generations, who have been raised in school systems that only value STEM and everything that can enhance that focus. I think humanities academics are just trying desperately to get us to see the value in it, before it’s gone completely. Relating to one of my previous posts – having knowledge (earned through diligent study) is not the same thing as being able to gather and regurgitate information. I think AI Culture is the tidal wave. I think it’s inevitable. We are actually being told that colleges are not really impressed by or caring about a High School English class that focuses on the traditional classics/humanities. They would rather see modern “literature” that reflects “diversity and inclusivity” in the course description. I honestly don’t know what to tell someone that’s unsure of what to study – except that you still need to know where we came from, where we are at, where the future looks like it might be going, and understand that being able to communicate with others effectively is relevant no matter what field you are in. At least… I hope it is. But with AI, will they even need to be effective writers? Do they need to have public speaking skills? I am afraid to dig into those questions. I can’t believe we are in this space.

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7. I think that the people who study humanities are doing a little bit of both. Sure, some may be encouraging others to learn how to analyze classic literature because they just want to keep their job, sound smart, or have a job they enjoy. They may also be doing it out of argumentum antiquatem, or the tendency to do things “old school.” However, I think these people are also trying to keep us from the embarrassment and shame of computer programs and artificial intelligence chatbots replacing our own skills and abilities with “efficiency” and the lacking of thoughful work. I will admit, I do not like to think out complex thought questions, but I also do not like using AI to think out those questions, nor do I like the shame of me having to rely on a code of 1’s and 0’s to tell me an answer or tell me what to do.

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8. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to study humanities in school because AI is going to eventually take it over and those types of jobs will fade away. I would encourage anyone to study applied sciences or attend a trade school. AI won’t be able to replace and re-wire a panel box anytime soon.

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