How do you feel about AI?

I imagine people begrudgingly use it once, and then use it again and again.  Doomsayers warn it will take over humankind.  “Meh,” my buddy shrugged, as he took a photo of our dinner check and asked ChatGPT to calculate his half of the tip.  [Full disclosure:  I write these posts without AI input.]  I read an essay this week by Dan Chiasson, the chair of Wellesley College’s English Department.   He makes a compelling case for how artificial intelligence is negatively and permanently changing the ways human beings tell stories, how we approach the world at the most basic and essential level.  What kind of human beings are we becoming, as “our” intelligence (whatever that is!) is supplanted by something not quite “us”?  Read the essay here, for yourself, if this question interests you.

This got me thinking about Recollections, a volunteer community-service that M+ offers our South Shore community.Recollections is recorded-storytelling:  one person sits down for a lightly-guided conversation with a Volunteer trained in the practice of oral history.  The person shares some of their own stories with someone there just to listen with open minded curiosity.  The story is recorded, and the storyteller can share the recording with their loved ones, as they like.  M+ Volunteers provide this service to local seniors and, coming soon, via a new program with the Cohasset and HIngham Historical Societies, and with the Hingham Unity Council.  

My dad recorded some of his stories last year in a Recollection session, six months before he died.  This recording is a gift beyond measure.  I wouldn’t have it without Recollection volunteer Debi LaRocca.  Debi mindfully listened to my dad’s stories.  She noted the quiet pauses and curious details. She let my dad “just talk” as she skillfully encouraged him to say more.  He shared something deeply moving I’d never heard him say before.   Debi and my dad made this happen, together, in a conversation that was more like a dance.  

At Sunday Reflection, I’ll share more about Recollections, and I’ll invite us to consider what it means, in this time of AI, to share experiences with other human beings that can only happen if human beings are willing to connect with each other.  As always, we will share mindfulness in a beautiful space…enjoy live music ((this week steel pan musician Gabe Labell)...and connect with supportive community

Come, pause from the busyness of the daily grind, and share in some self-care,in the company of others..  Bring a friend!

— Jonathan