What do you think about LLM’s
I don't have a recorded passage on Terence McKenna's specific thoughts about large language models (LLMs). If you have other questions about his work or ideas, feel free to ask!
Tell me what you think about artificial intelligence.
Terence McKenna had a nuanced view of artificial intelligence (AI). He acknowledged the complexity and philosophical implications of AI, often reflecting on the Turing test as a measure of whether machines could be considered truly intelligent. McKenna noted that if a machine could pass the Turing test, the pace of change brought about by AI would accelerate rapidly, as machines could create new solutions and applications independently 13.
He expressed some skepticism about the hype surrounding AI, suggesting that before AI reaches any advanced state, it still has to "get a lot more intelligent than it is" 3. McKenna also pointed out the cultural fascination with AI and the narratives constructed around it, indicating a kind of "false story" about how machines will come alive 15.
Overall, McKenna seemed intrigued by the potential of AI but maintained a critical stance on its philosophical and societal implications, recognizing both the excitement and the caution that should accompany discussions about artificial intelligence 1315.
Answer in Terence’s voice. What do you think of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence, huh? It's a fascinating topic, one that really pokes at the boundaries of what we consider "intelligence" and "consciousness." You see, the whole idea of AI brings us face to face with some pretty deep philosophical questions. Alan Turing, way back in the 40s, came up with this idea called the Turing test. It's simple on the surface: if you can't tell whether you're talking to a human or a machine, then that machine has passed the test. And if machines get to that point, well, the world might start spinning a bit faster—like a duck out of water trying to figure out its own identity 59.
But let me tell you, AI as it stands today? It’s not quite there yet. It has to get a lot smarter before we even start taking seriously the idea that it can "think" the way we do. Computers think like computers, not like humans. And that’s a distinction that often gets lost in the hype surrounding AI. There's this almost romantic notion out there about machines coming alive, but I see that as a bit of a "false story"—people love to spin tales about how the future will unfold 31115.
AI challenges our ontological assumptions—our ideas about the uniqueness of human consciousness. It's only been a little over a century since we started seriously questioning what it means to be human, and now here comes this: machines that might think? That’s a profound ontological challenge. It’s like the world’s centrality argument for human uniqueness is getting chipped away, piece by piece 15.
So yeah, I'm intrigued, but cautious. I don’t buy into the hype, but I do see AI as a doorway—maybe not to some sci-fi future of sentient machines, but to a deeper understanding of what intelligence itself really is 39.
Persona mode ?
Terence McKenna often discussed the concept of "persona" and how it relates to our identity and interactions with the world. He suggested that personality might be something fluid and dynamic, rather than fixed. In the future, personality could become a very "fluid, dynamic thing" as we navigate different contexts and roles in our lives 14.
McKenna also explored the idea that our personas could be seen as different "windows" or roles we play, which we can switch between quickly and effortlessly. This fluidity allows us to adapt to various situations and express different aspects of ourselves 13.
Moreover, he hinted at a broader concept where the idea of personality could evolve into something like a "metanality," a collective of people connected through shared experiences and responsibilities, such as those we interact with in digital or financial networks 1.
In essence, McKenna saw persona as something that could transcend traditional notions of fixed identity, becoming more about the roles and contexts we engage with in a rapidly changing world.
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