Much of linguistics-based Human-Level Intelligence (HLI) requires paradigm shift, a parting from artificial intelligence (AI). This may be ego-threatening at first, but can have a wonderful positive outcome.
At this site, you will hopefully find the willingness to discuss the elephant(s) in the kitchen. That’s the clumsy animal right in the center that no one wants to acknowledge or talk about. Elephants smell, can be unpleasant and easily upset the dishes; the dishes are a metaphor for the current-technology status quo.
An “elephant” is often rooted in commonly-held public opinion. The elephant metaphor is a problem “too widespread to fix.”
The elephant may be software code structure, theology, political or local culture. It may touch on the question of where creativity comes from. It may be why an engineer stares at the ground when he walks. Exploring these areas and why we hold the viewpoints we do is liberating. An excitement builds that lets you run towards the enemy rather than a dreaded running from him.
Acknowledging Change
Change happens, with or without us. For example, AI is stuck at the concept of machine learning. It is undergoing change, and part of the changes need several paradigm shifts.
If you want a paradigm shift, first remember there are often elephants in the kitchen. I challenge you to be unafraid to acknowledge and address them for what they are. They do so get in the way!
Machiavelli got this right:
“It ought be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.
Il Principe (The Prince), circa 1505
This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them.”
Niccolò Machiavelli
Examples of Paradigm Shift
A significant portion of the U.S. population suffered some form of significant abuse in their childhood. What was done to them imposes its own view of relationships with people, a “paradigm”. Through no fault of their own, the unwanted paradigm was formed within them. Often it stands in front of every relationship they enter, and is frustrating to both people in the relationship. A shift is needed, often enabled by an uninvolved third party.
Another example relates to creativity. Does creativity come from within or from without? If from within, can you model the process and reproduce it in software? In a blatantly external example, it might be the result of discussion with another person. What if it ‘popped into your head’? Can you take credit for generating the idea? Did it possibly arise through some spiritual back-channel, so to speak?
Your emotional response to those questions may itself internally suggest that you have elephants in your kitchen. If so, the first step to deal with the elephant is to acknowledge it. The area causing emotional havoc may be one that requires a paradigm shift, a change of perspective.
Unwillingness to undergo a paradigm shift does not diminish your personal stature. It does not diminish your abilities, either. However, it may directly effect personal opportunity. Change is a constant.
See the home page and Restarting Intelligence to explore this more.