Chill, Slave or Go Mad

With all the excitement around the renewed buzz of AI from OpenAI Labs through Dall-E and ChatGPT, there is no one better to address the ‘future of professions’ than Sir Issac Asimov.

In this essay titled ‘Whatever You Wish’, Asimov feels that the advancement of technology can have either of three implications on humans:

1. Chill: Every field will be an elective, and the only guide will be ‘whatever you wish’. No longer there will be a need to work in areas of disinterest but individuals can choose what he or she can be best and most willingly do. Humans will do all the other things that make life pleasant and worthwhile

2. Slave: There exists a dystopian world where world aristocracy is supported by the only slaves that can humanely serve in such a post

3. Go Mad: Most of the manual work, all that involves simple and repetitive motions, can be done better and easily by machines leaving lot of empty time in hand. Satan finds mischief for idle hands.

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Summary generated by ChatGPT is much more hopeful and cheerful:

"Whatever You Wish" is an essay written by Isaac Asimov, a renowned science fiction author and biochemist. In the essay, Asimov reflects on the concept of wish fulfillment and how it relates to the human experience. He begins by discussing the idea of "wishing wells," which have long been associated with the idea of making a wish and having it come true. Asimov notes that this concept is deeply ingrained in human culture and is often tied to religious and superstitious beliefs.

Asimov goes on to explore the idea that wishes can be thought of as a form of hope, and that the act of making a wish is a way for humans to express their desire for something to happen. He argues that the act of wishing is an essential part of the human experience and that it is a fundamental aspect of our psychology. Asimov also discusses the role of science and technology in fulfilling wishes, noting that many of the things that people wish for are now possible due to advances in science and technology.

Overall, "Whatever You Wish" is a thought-provoking essay that explores the concept of wish fulfillment and its place in the human experience. Asimov's writing is engaging and insightful, and he presents his ideas in a way that is accessible to readers of all levels of understanding.

Image generated by Dall-E 2