We are moving into a chapter in human history that is met with extremely rapid change. The rate of increase in the power of technology is still keeping pace with that exponential growth that was predicted by Moore’s Law. However, what was not predicted was the rate of change on society.
Over the past decade, technology has gone from a tool that can transform communication, commerce, and productivity, to the foundation that the entire world relies on. Our lives, for better or worse, are half physical and half digital, depending on who you ask. But the thing that nobody saw coming was the speed at which AI has tipped the scale more towards digital. With everything happening at the speed of thought, information has now become a commodity. All knowledge that has been indexed across our rapidly expanding internet ecosystem is now just a question away. So with the Age of Information essentially coming to a close, what’s next?
I believe that we are moving into what I would call “The Age of Discernment.” We are going into a time where learning the difference between real and not will be a foundational skillset in being able to navigate the world of the future. In some ways, it can be as simple as being able to tell the difference between something that was created by a human vs. a machine. But mostly, it is about developing an internal compass that is uniquely individual.
The minds and individuals that are celebrated the most for their profound thoughts and actions were often people who experienced life with a great wealth of diversity. Sure, we can read the writings of Plato, listen to the talks of Alan Watts, and watch the actions of Steve Jobs. And, we may also find some incredible inspiration and guidance from learning from the greats. But at the same time, to reach our own individual potential, to fulfill what we are all born to do, it has to come from our soul. And there is no map or message from a machine that can figure it out for us. It has to come from moments of challenge, moments of inspiration, moments of bliss, moments of loss, moments of love, moments of joy, moments that shape us and shift our reality.
Experiencing life and the emotions associated with it are what bring us wisdom. Rather than waiting for somebody or something to tell you what you should do, look inwards because you most likely know the answer. Einstein, while considered one of the greatest physicists of all time, spent a lot of his time contemplating his place in the universe and whether or not we actually have free choice in our actions or if the universe is simply doing its thing and we are just along for the ride. Whatever the true answer may be, the reality that we experience is very much a result of the way that we believe that reality to be.
I have always wrestled with the concept of controlling my own destiny versus going along for the ride. My believe has predominately been that I have to drive the outcome or else it doesn’t happen, call it the entrepreneurial mindset or the mindset of a person constantly driven by the fear of failure. However, a shift that has recently been occurring has been simply holding a vision for the future I want to see, knowing the direction I need to go to get there, and then just doing my absolute best along the way, no matter what happens. My thought is that by simply trying my best in every moment, it can’t lead to a bad outcome, right? It seems a bit simplistic but we humans have a remarkable talent in making things more difficult than they need to me, I might be one of the most talented at this.
But there is a very important distinction between the approach of driving the outcome versus holding the vision. The first encourages a mindset around time. It is almost a race to the controlled outcome because the sooner it can be accomplished, the sooner another goal can be obtained. The second encourages a mindset around observation. Taking in the world, day to day, moment by moment, knowing that the end result will be met because it is inevitable. One is rooted in the future, the other is rooted in the present.
The richness of every moment and the way we feel about those moments inevitably are felt on a much deeper level. I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last thing that I looked up using AI. But I can tell you every detail about little moments that shifted my perspective, that filled me with joy, and brought me to tears. That, is wisdom in its truest form. It is what allows us to discern our reality.