Core Human Needs
What core human needs are we really trying to meet by creating AGI, using AI, and scrolling or posting on social media?
Everything we do has an intended emotional state of being that we are expecting to experience as a result of the action or thought to reinforce our current belief systems which affirm our identities.
We may imagine that…
On the other side of becoming a billionaire is freedom.
On the other side of having a million followers is acceptance.
On the other side of marriage is safety.
These are emotional states of being that we place as a goal-post beyond ourselves because we believe these emotions of freedom, acceptance, and safety can only be acquired as a result of changing our external circumstances.
Typically these surface level desires just reveal a more truthful, underlying, unmet core human need.
What is the unmet core human need that we are trying to fulfill by creating super intelligence?
What is the surface level desire that our needs hide under?
Does our need for faith in the unknown hide under a compensation for feeling unintelligent?
Does our need for safety make us compete for power and control?
Does our need for freedom to roam and explore new worlds conceal itself as ambition to succeed?
Freedom from the silly and pointless paper pushing and typing that our self-built systems require so we want to hand it off to find deeper purpose?
Is it our fear of being in control, fear of making so much of a disaster ourselves, so we need to create an AI parent, to give control over to a power more capable of fixing our problems than we are?
Is it sloth — We just don’t feel like working anymore so we’d prefer robots and software automate the world?
Technological advancement is deemed as inevitable growth that is required for the sake of humanity.
But is this just a denial of self-awareness.
Nothing is inevitable when we are the creators. The canvas doesn’t force the brush to paint. A human raises their hand to the blank page with an imagination or emotion to be expressed.
So what is the underlying, unmet need of the human collective that we are trying to fulfill by creating AGI?
Extra Thoughts and Notes
Imagine a person who identifies as a creative entrepreneur and thought-leader who is unique and intelligent. They have the belief that their words and creations are positively impacting the world to be more grateful and creative.
During a shadow work workshop, we spoke directly to our demons. Demons in Greek are actually described as our friends and inner genius just neglected with unmet needs. We asked our inner demon three important eye-opening questions.
What do you want?
How will you feel once you get what you want?
What does that feeling reveal that you really need?
For example, one of my demons I had a talk with.
The demon wanted to be applauded and recognized in public and highly desired because of how perfect and unique its creations are.
The demon would feel affirmed, validated, worthy, and safe.
The demon really needed self-love, to create things that were fulfilling to create.
I could share this story and tie it in somehow. What is the conclusion here? A workshop for individuals? Or a global calling?
