Editor’s Note: In addition to following technological developments, our author is also a musical composer (trained at Juilliard). He has provided you with a musical composition to listen to while reading this column. This piece is called “Convergence Column”.
Harvesting Infinity” embodies the concept of limitless innovation and coincides with the abundance mentality that is popular in Silicon Valley. This is my third column on the subject. In Part 1, I put the “Harvesting Infinity” mindset into context and explained how its West Coast supporters used it to outperform the more conservative East Coast tech giants. . In part two, I discussed another application of “Harvesting Infinity”… the infinite possibilities inherent in linking AI to our own streams of consciousness.
Today in part three I want to talk about consciousness and how consciousness can help us understand what we can actually do or be.
As I wrote last week, AI-assisted tools allow us to increase our subconscious awareness. As a result, the freedom we have to define how we use our time and energy increases significantly. But we must apply certain principles of convergence to this freedom, otherwise we will turn around and achieve nothing. Defining one’s own identity is the most rational way to ground these processes. Although it is tempting to use this new information to set new goals, goal setting is counterproductive until a person’s daily behaviors become consistent with what they think they actually are, informed by empirically collected evidence.
This means that it’s not just about who you think you want to be, or even who you think you actually are. Ideas and identities need to be verified by reality. We each need to be in a feedback loop with reality, where there is evidence that what you think you are or might want to be can be achieved at least to some degree objectively. If you can’t do math, you won’t be a physicist. If you’re five feet tall, you won’t be a professional basketball player. There needs to be some moderation in our dreams and AI-driven explorations.
The information provided by fitness trackers and smartwatches is a form of AI-assisted convergence. They can tell you how fit you are, how well you’re sleeping, and even how prepared you are for everyday life by measuring physical variables. If you think you’re ready to do something very physically demanding and your fitness tracker tells you there’s a good chance you’re having a heart attack, then
listen and don’t do it.
Intelligent systems can provide assessments and evaluations in many ways, but what can we compare them to? We need to standardize the measures so that they are realistic and objective. You can’t know the path to follow if you don’t know where you are going. Your behaviors need to be aligned with the identity you want to be in order to progress. AI can provide much more information than you had before. Some of this information may be wrong, useless, or distracting. The only way to know is to apply a convergence force to this new, larger situation that you have created by adding various AI tools.
Knowing what to do also means knowing what not to do. These tools are so powerful that they can be seductive and derail your previous plans. Sometimes this is what you want, and other times it is disastrous. As you spend time with these tools and become more aware of your subconscious knowledge, the size of your world will increase. You must learn to navigate this larger world, which will likely require different skills and tools than you have already acquired.
AI self-assessment tools offer a range of features to help you better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and overall personal growth. For example, Pymetrics uses neuroscience and AI-powered games to assess cognitive and emotional traits, guiding you toward tailored career paths. Receptiviti analyzes the language used in text to assess personality traits, emotional states, and cognitive styles, providing a window into your communication patterns and emotional well-being. Crystal Knows examines your online presence to provide insights into your personality, improving your understanding of your communication style and interactions with others. Similarly, Humantic AI leverages your digital footprint to reveal behavioral trends and offer advice for improving your interpersonal skills.
Additionally, platforms like Lattice, BetterUp, and LUMEN offer comprehensive self-assessment and coaching tools for personal and professional development. Lattice’s AI-powered performance management system includes self-assessment features that help track progress and set achievable goals. BetterUp combines AI and coaching to identify your strengths and areas for improvement, with a focus on holistic development. LUMEN, on the other hand, analyzes your responses to various scenarios to provide insight into your personality, decision-making style and potential career paths. These AI tools collectively enable you to better understand yourself, align your goals with your true identity, and foster continued personal growth.
As you increase your options, try to get a better handle on your desired identity to ensure that the way you spend your time aligns with behaviors consistent with who you are.
