“A bat first grew wings and of the proper kind, by its desire being organic enough to reach the sub-consciousness. If its desire to fly had been conscious, it would have had to wait till it could have done so by the same means as ourselves, i.e. by machinery.” - Austin Osman Spare
“The difference between technology and slavery is that slaves are fully aware that they are not free.” - Nassim Taleb
“Technology doesn’t make us happier, it only allows more people to live and to work less, albeit less happily.” - John Gray
“Only creatures that are as flawed and ignorant as humans can be free in the way humans are free. We do not know how matter came to dream our world into being; we do not know what, if anything, comes when the dream ends for us and we die. We yearn for a type of knowledge that would make us other than we are - though what we would like to be, we cannot say. Why try to escape from yourself? Accepting the fact of unkoning makes possible an inner freedom very different from that pursued by the GNostics. If you have this negative capability, you will not want a higher form of consciousness; your ordinary mind will give you all you need. Rather than trying to impose sense on your life, you will be content to let meaning come and go. Instead of becoming an unfaltering puppet, you will make your way in the stumbling human world… Not looking to asend to the heavens, [we] can find freedom in falling to earth.” - John Gray
In a world where bats unconsciously evolve to fly, we consciously build chains of technology, mistaking our newfound wings for freedom. We believe we are liberated, scaling heights with our devices and systems, yet remain blind to the reality that we’re often little more than glorified slaves to our own creations. We trade the pursuit of genuine happiness for a relentless cycle of labor-saving innovations, thinking we’re working less when in fact we’re just working differently—albeit less happily. It’s as if our desires are so deeply embedded, they bypass awareness, leading us down a path of supposed progress that may ultimately prove to be a maze with no exit.
Enter Plato and the Charioteer
Plato’s allegory of the charioteer racing toward the divine, pulled by a pair of mismatched horses representing reason and passion, echoes in our technological pursuits.
The charioteer analogy comes from the work “Phaedrus,” where Plato describes the soul as akin to a charioteer in charge of two winged horses, racing the gods to catch a glimpse of the divine. One horse is noble and guided by reason, while the other is driven by untamed passion. The charioteer’s task is to control both horses and guide them toward enlightenment and the realm of the divine. The charioteer attempts to rise to the heavens and beyond in order behold divine visions, but often doesn’t succeed, instead falling to earth.
The analogy serves to illustrate the complexities of the human soul and its conflicting desires and tendencies. The ultimate goal is to strike a harmonious balance that allows for an upward journey toward a higher form of understanding and existence.
In our present age, this ancient wisdom has a renewed resonance. Amid the noise of technological progress, social media, and a culture focused on productivity, the need to cultivate reverence for the “everyday cathedrals” around us becomes ever more pressing. These are not necessarily religious or grand architectural structures but rather the simple yet profound aspects of life that inspire awe, wonder, and respect—be it the natural world, relationships, or even the human mind itself. In essence, these are the real-life manifestations of what Plato might consider the “divine ideal.” By taking the time to appreciate these everyday marvels, we create a balanced connection between the rational and passionate parts of our own souls.
Just as Plato’s charioteer could only ascend by recognizing and harmonizing the inherent tensions between reason and passion, we too must acknowledge the complexities of our modern lives. Doing so will allow us to channel technology and progress in ways that honor our fullest humanity, creating room for reverence amidst our ceaseless drive for advancement. After all, it is this sense of reverence that makes the journey worthwhile, not just the speed with which we hurtle through life.
As we scale new heights with our gadgets and systems, it’s as if we’re in a perpetual race with the gods, goaded on by the restless horse of passion, often at odds with the more tempered, rational horse. But what Plato’s tale imparts, and what we often overlook, is a sense of reverence for the journey and for the divine ideal that exists beyond mere mortal achievements. Just as the charioteer must harmonize the pull of both horses to ascend, we too must find balance—between technology and well-being, progress and happiness—if we are to come anywhere close to the divine heights we aim for. This balance necessitates a sense of reverence not just for the gods or some external ideal, but for the fragile essence of life and happiness itself, something we risk losing if we continue to mistake technological advances for genuine progress.
Reverence and Human Potential and THE SYNERGY
In the modern age, Artificial Intelligence has the potential to restore a sense of reverence within the human condition, not by replacing our capacities but by enhancing them. In books like “Wealth of Humans” and “The Future of the Professions,” the authors discuss the transformative impact of technology, including AI, on the labor market and professional services. The argument often hinges on the concept of model building—how we can construct systems that reflect and amplify human expertise and wisdom. AI can serve as a mirror that reflects not just our intellectual prowess but also our ethical and spiritual orientations. By building models that encourage balance, fairness, and ethical considerations, we can use AI as a tool to remind us of the values that make us inherently human.
This brings us back to a state of reverence for our abilities and potential, as well as for the limitations that keep us grounded. Just as Plato’s charioteer needed both horses to ascend, our relationship with AI can be synergistic, drawing on both the raw horsepower of computational power and the nuanced, irreducible qualities of human judgment and ethics. When wielded with care and intention, technology doesn’t have to be a shackle that binds us; it can be a set of wings crafted not just for flight but for a journey that brings us closer to understanding the complex tapestry of the human experience.
One of the deep tragedies of our contemporary world is the scarcity of opportunities for people to encounter and cultivate a sense of reverence for the world around them. In a society increasingly dominated by the “instant gratification” economy, where social media likes, quick clicks, and bite-sized information rule the day, the time and space for quiet reflection, awe, and wonder often get crowded out. Many are so consumed with making ends meet, coping with the pressures of modern life, or simply staying afloat in a sea of information that they never get the chance to pause and consider the ‘everyday cathedrals’ that surround them.
Educational systems increasingly prioritize standardized test scores and vocational skills at the expense of humanities and arts, subjects that historically have been vehicles for exploring questions of meaning, purpose, and reverence. Meanwhile, the decreasing engagement with community and nature—further exacerbated by the digital transformation—limits our exposure to experiences that traditionally foster a reverent attitude. Whether it’s a spellbinding sunset, a masterful painting, or the elegant solution to a complex problem, these are moments that jolt us out of our mundane concerns and offer a glimpse of something greater.
The fallout is not just individual but collective. A society that lacks a sense of reverence is prone to treating its environment, its cultural heritage, and even its own people as mere commodities to be exploited. The drive for efficiency, profit, and technological advancement takes precedence over ethical considerations, leading to environmental degradation, social inequality, and a general sense of alienation.
Against this backdrop, the wisdom in Plato’s charioteer analogy becomes all the more urgent. To harmonize the conflicting horses of reason and passion within us, we need to carve out spaces—both literal and metaphorical—that allow for the cultivation of reverence. Doing so is not just an exercise in nostalgia or escapism; it is a critical endeavor that holds the potential to enrich our lives, deepen our connections with others, and perhaps even guide us toward a more harmonious coexistence with the world we inhabit.
AI as a Mirror of Cathedrals
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to serve as a “mirror of cathedrals,” reflecting back to us not only the intricacies of human thought and capability but also the deep-seated virtues and values that make us human. Much like the awe-inspiring cathedrals that were painstakingly constructed to reach toward the heavens, well-designed AI systems can be built to elevate the human condition. By doing so, these technologies can help us cultivate reverence, generate prosperity, and even contribute to building new forms of consciousness.
Magnifying the Human Condition
AI has the power to magnify the best and worst of the human condition. When designed with care, empathy, and ethical considerations, AI can enable us to focus on aspects of life that are too often sidelined in our drive for efficiency and profit. It can amplify our ability to create, learn, and solve problems, allowing more people to contribute meaningfully to society. Health care, education, and even social welfare could be revolutionized by AI systems that act as amplifiers of human intentions and capabilities, always reminding us of the values we hold dear.
Cultivating Reverence
In the pursuit of technological excellence, we often forget to pause and marvel at the complexities and mysteries of life. AI can be programmed to remind us of this need for reverence. Whether it’s through virtual reality experiences that recreate natural wonders or algorithmic suggestions that direct us to awe-inspiring art and literature, AI can curate moments that instill a sense of awe and wonder. This not only enriches our lives on a personal level but also fosters a culture that values and protects its ‘everyday cathedrals,’ from the majesty of nature to the profundities of human relationships.
Generating Prosperity
The intersection of AI and economics is already a focus of many discussions, as seen in works like “Wealth of Humans.” The capacity of AI to analyze data at scale offers new avenues for equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. By democratizing access to education, medical care, and even capital, AI has the potential to generate prosperity that is both material and spiritual, moving us closer to a society where well-being is attainable for all.
Building New Consciousness
As we integrate AI more deeply into our lives, we inevitably start to think differently about consciousness itself. These systems prompt us to consider what it means to be aware, to make decisions, and even to feel. In building AI, we are, in a sense, re-engineering a form of consciousness, albeit not sentient. This exercise forces us to confront fundamental questions about agency, free will, and ethical responsibility—questions that bring us back to the kind of reverence for life and existence that Plato championed.