[ExI] The Real Threat of Artificial Intelligence

[Stuart LaForge]

Bill W wrote:
> On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 12:48 AM, Stuart LaForge <avant at sollegro.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> It is preposterous to think that flipping burgers or waiting tables
>> gives people purpose. I would instead warrant that the majority who work
>> such menial jobs do so because they must and not necessarily because
>> they want to.
>>
>> ?I strongly disagree.  I have worked as a waiter, ditchdigger, farm
>> worker, soda jerk, roofer and more.  I took pride in everything I did.
>> "Look that that ditch.  Is it not a thing of beauty?"  Ok, so that's a
>> bit much, but I think that the attitude that manual laborers are not
>> enjoying their jobs is just mistaken, and the idea that they can't get
>> some meaning out of it is patronizing.  You are saying that if manual
>> labor is all a person is capable of, then they do not have and cannot
>> have a meaningful life.  Just wrong.

I think you are misunderstanding me, Bill. I am not saying that a person
cannot find meaning in doing manual labor. And I am not saying a person
cannot take pride in a job well done. I am saying that there is nothing
inherent in a job, any job, that *gives* them that meaning except in so
far as they *choose* to find it there. If any of the jobs you listed were
truly the purpose of your life, you would still be doing that job.

Now to this hypothetical, and somewhat far-fetched, person you mention who
is incapable of anything other than manual labor. I never said he or she
does not have or cannot have  a meaningful life. He will just have to find
a purpose or meaning apart from getting paid for his manual labor.

He could, for example, live off of his subsistence check every month and
volunteer his manual labor to his community for free. He could dig ditches
and landscape his neighbor's backyard. He could become a weight lifter or
body builder. He could become a personal fitness trainer. In short, there
are many things he could do to live a meaningful life as long as he
chooses to find meaning in what he does.

My point is that the purpose and meaning of human life are not values that
can be externally assigned to someone by God, society, or the labor
market. They have to found from within by the individual in question. And
maybe asking yourself what you would spend your time doing, if all your
bills were taken care of, might be a good place to start.

Stuart LaForge