2 ms·

I’m thinking of things like the invention of the automobile, typewriters, calculators, even writing. Before those were invented people did things very different

I’m thinking of things like the invention of the automobile, typewriters, calculators, even writing. Before those were invented people did things very differently - they walked or rode a horse, wrote manually, used slide rules or basic arithmetic algorithms like long division, memorized things and persisted them through story telling rather than persisting them in writing. People are still actively acquiring the knowledge to do things the old fashioned way in those areas, a hundred or even thousands (for writing) of years later. But typically they only do it if they need to or find it interesting. It’s hard for me to think of any technological advance (outside entertainment) that actually caused a mean regression in peoples’ effectiveness, or for people as a whole to completely stop acquiring the skills of doing something the old way to deleterious effects. Like, has there been any invention that was so easy to use that people got worse at the task the tool was invented for? In aggregate it may happen if the tool greatly reduces barriers (like training, experience, or study) to entry, but I kind of doubt it happens for specialists. Note by effectiveness I mean the general task, not the specific skill that may have become obsolete. I’m not effective at all with a slide rule but I have a Python shell, the internet, and hardware capable of floating point operations.

pineaux 4y ago
Socrates: You know, Phaedrus, writing shares a strange feature with painting. The offsprings of painting stand there as if they are alive, but if anyone asks them anything, they remain most solemnly silent. The same is true of written words. This time its different... The written word might be able to write back. As a matter of fact, I already use chatgpt to learn new skills. Its a better way of acquiring knowledge. The job of teachers will change within 5 years.
- chatmasta 4y ago
  When I read Harry Potter as a child, I would feel a sort of melancholy when I finished the book and had to go back to a reality without magic. But as the years went by, I started to realize how much our world was starting to look like the magical world... it really is true that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Moving pictures in the newspaper? We have iPhones and tablets and tiny screens with interactive video... Talking to people through the fireplace? We have video calls on our phones. Writing words into a diary and having it write back to you? Well now we've got that too. Now I'm just waiting for the flying broomsticks. Maybe we can do something with magnets inside an electrified metal Quidditch arena...

pineaux 4y ago

Socrates: You know, Phaedrus, writing shares a strange feature with painting. The offsprings of painting stand there as if they are alive, but if anyone asks them anything, they remain most solemnly silent. The same is true of written words. This time its different... The written word might be able to write back. As a matter of fact, I already use chatgpt to learn new skills. Its a better way of acquiring knowledge. The job of teachers will change within 5 years.

chatmasta 4y ago
When I read Harry Potter as a child, I would feel a sort of melancholy when I finished the book and had to go back to a reality without magic. But as the years went by, I started to realize how much our world was starting to look like the magical world... it really is true that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Moving pictures in the newspaper? We have iPhones and tablets and tiny screens with interactive video... Talking to people through the fireplace? We have video calls on our phones. Writing words into a diary and having it write back to you? Well now we've got that too. Now I'm just waiting for the flying broomsticks. Maybe we can do something with magnets inside an electrified metal Quidditch arena...