Being human together
In the past fifteen years, much has been written about the deleterious impact of social media and now the threats of AI. But Freya brings us a breath of fresh air. We are human and have anatomically been for thousands of years, originating in earlier iterations for 6 to 7 million years. While we recognize that evolution does not stop with the human, we do not have to succumb to socials media’s and AI’s encroaching presence. Certainly not in our lifetimes. I in my 80s for sure, but hopefully not for newborns.
From their origins, humans have giving spoken voice to themselves, derived thoughts, created the written word, developed technology, and lived within its emotional spectrum from joy to hate. At this time, perhaps a turning point in our history, we can choose either to be who we are, to be human together, or give in and allow the digital/AI universe to take over.
As I’ve written in previous posts, teachers in their classrooms can choose to be together without the presence of digital devices and AI and engage in face to face conversation speaking a listening looking one another in the eye. A principle I am not willing to let go.
I interact with my fellow human beings at every opportunity: on the street, in shops, sharing coffee or a meal, volunteering, in a book group or a breakfast group, on the phone, on Zoom, anywhere I am. After all, we humans have been a remarkable species despite our failings. We should not give up being together.
Given that “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward” (Kierkegaard), I write to bring ideas and methods from my life as a teacher in the latter half of the 20th century to help teachers and the public to “live forward” in this century. My latest book, “Teacher in the Rye: Doing It My Way” is available on Amazon. And I welcome comments here on my Blog or by email at frankthoms3@gmail.com.
