Notes for 05/10/25

AI - AI is a tool to augment not supplement. When used properly it facilitates good thinking and good writing. Like the old saying, "Cars don't kill people. It's the nut behind the wheel."

As I have learned more about AI and its utility, I have found it a great asset to my intellectual and writing activities. The big question is "Do I control the AI or does the AI control me?"

Can a person become too dependent on AI and no longer think for themself? Yes.

Is this dependence on AI to the extent that the person loses a basic competence a good thing? No

Could AI take over the world? Yes

Should human beings allow this to happen? No

Is AI a good tool to enhance the performance of a human being? Yes

Will AI ever take over the consciousness of some human beings? Yes

Will AI ever take over the consciousness of all human beings? No

Will a wise human being ever allow AI to do all their thinking? No

Can human beings learn how to use AI to improve their consciousness and performance? Yes.

This has been written by David G. Markham without any assistance from AI.

(David G. Markham post to Allnonfiction list on 05/10/25)

Spirituality - A devout man came to the Baal Shem Tov with a complaint: "I've made an enormous effort to serve the Lord sincerely and honestly, but I haven't noticed any change or improvement. I'm still the same ordinary, ignorant person as before."

The Baal Shem Tov answered: "You've realized you are ordinary and ignorant, and that in itself is a great accomplishment."

There are a lot of good things to be said for giving up the ego.

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Health provider burnout - There are three attributes of physician ‘burnout’—one, lack of sense of accomplishment; two, lack of enthusiasm; and three, cynicism-depersonalization. The studies show that all three are correlated with one and only one variable: the date that the Electronic Medical Record machines came in, and began to take over medicine.” (Samuel Shem, Man’s 4th Best Hospital)

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Growing older gracefully - I am finishing up the two courses I have been auditing this semester at SUNY Brockport: Ageing In America in the Social Work Department, and Gerontology and Health Promotion and Aging in the Health Science Department. I thought I knew all this stuff but I have been humbled because I have learned something new in every class.

Both classes have covered the topic of "Ageism". Exploring this topic has made me much more aware of the myths, prejudices, and discriminatory behaviors towards elders in our society. One professor did a 20 minute riff on sarcastic, snarky, denigrating, and mocking birthday cards. I was already familiar with this genre of "funny" birthday cards, but some of them shocked me now that I am 79. The loss of functioning that comes with older age is not always funny but a serious matter. The question is how resilient is the older person and how willing and able are they to adapt to change?

One of the text book chapters pointed out that most older people can still do the things that they could do when they were younger, but it takes them longer. They are not as fast, not as agile, don't have the same energy levels and so can't perform at the same level in the 70s they could in their 20s but they still can do it. It takes patience, and willingness to continue to function albeit at a slower pace.

I wonder whether "feeling your age" is the same thing as "acting" your age? How is a 75 year old supposed to act? People are different and some people biologically age more quickly than others so I question if chronological age is a good indicator of a person's level of functioning. There are other indicators of functioning more valid than simply chronological age which is true at any stage of human development.

At age 79 having recovered from the quadriceps tendon tears in both legs and 5 months flat on my back in orthopedic rehab I am 90% recovered and up and walking and functioning adequately. Do I feel my age? I don't know. How is a 79 year old supposed to feel?

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Family system dynamics - Yesterday, May 9th was the birthday of 2 of my nine children. Kelly, my third child, turned 56 and Ryan who was killed in a DUI crash at age 8 in 1993 would have been 41. People ask, “How long does it take to get over the death of a child?” The answer is “never.” The parent always wonders what the dead child would have done with their life had they continued to live. In Ryan’s case, I will never know, but had he lived, he would have done great things. I am sure of it. Kelly has done great things and reports that she has a satisfying and fulfilling life. It is always a delight to learn about it, both the good and bad. Nobody talks much about the grief that comes into a parent’s life when their children reach adulthood. Mostly we like to talk about our joys and pride. If an adult child has problems often people are quick to blame the adult child’s problems on their upbringing by the parents, but I don’t often see the connection although sometimes there is one. When adult children fail, the first people they blame for their problems and failures are their parents. This defense mechanism is called “displacement” meaning that rather than take responsibility for their own failures and suffering they displace that responsibility onto someone else. This dynamic is a major contributor to estrangement. (David G. Markham on davidgmarkham.substack.com on 05/10/25)

Psychotherapy - I often point out to clients when it is appropriate that you can either be mad or be sad. I say something like, “When people are depressed, I always think that getting mad is a step in the right direction out of the depression. Anger gives you energy and gumption. When you slam your fist down on the table and say ‘Gosh darn it, I’m not taking his any more’ the person is getting better. (David G. Markham post to Clinicians’ Exchange on 05/10/25)

Volunteerism - People high on the personality traits of extraversion and agreeableness are more likely to be philanthropic. Extraverted people have a higher tendency to volunteer, while agreeable people are more likely to give money to charity. The extraverted are probably attracted to volunteering partly because it gives them a chance to be social, which is highly rewarding to them. Extraverted people also tend to be assertive, enjoying taking charge, which is an important component of volunteering. Agreeable people, meanwhile, tend to be compassionate and polite, focusing on other people’s needs and charitable giving helps express this part of their personality. (Psyblog, 05/10/25)

Do you or have you volunteered or given money to a charitable cause or to a person in need? What motivated you to do it and how satisfied are you with the experience?

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Hour Of The Heart by Irvin Yalom. AI generated podcast made by David G. Markham