Jonathan Gottschall (What to think about machines that think)

Jonathan Gottschall explores the idea of teaching computers to tell and understand stories, raising questions about the implications of their potential success in storytelling.

He emphasizes that learning to tell stories is a deeply human process that involves immersing oneself in great stories to develop an intuitive understanding of storytelling. Humans learn by embracing the old ways of storytelling and finding innovative ways to make them seem new. While computers have made attempts at storytelling, their efforts have often fallen short of human creativity.

Gottschall acknowledges that machines may eventually become skilled at storytelling through a process of rapid evolution. However, he expresses concern about the rise of art-making machines. Art, he argues, is a defining characteristic of humanity, something that distinguishes us from the rest of creation and makes us proud of ourselves. If machines can create art, it raises questions about the purpose of human existence.

He grapples with the idea that while machines can surpass humans in calculations and other tasks, the prospect of them outpainting, outcomposing, or telling better stories challenges the notion of human uniqueness. If machines can create art that is more gripping and poignant than human-made art, it may suggest that humans are essentially thought machines and art machines, potentially rendering us outdated and inferior.

Ultimately, Gottschall’s reflections touch on the complex intersection of technology, creativity, and the essence of human identity in a world where machines become masterful storytellers and creators of art.

YARPP List

Related posts:

1. Law 17: Seize the Historical Moment (The Laws of Human Nature)
2. Part 2: Isolate the Victim (The Art of Seduction)
3. Chapter 16: The Capitalist Creed (Sapiens)
4. On Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra Summary (8.4/10)