Future of Shared Human Experience

For the past few weeks I have been deeply reflecting on an issue which I found myself surprised to be affected by.

I found myself being extremely concerned about how society will transform given the advancements in technology specifically in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality and neuro-technology. The future seems to be heading towards having at least an additional reality to participate in with the physical reality as we know today becoming less relevant akin to the portrayal of society in the movie Ready Player One.

This topic I suppose, emerged primarily as a result of my exposure to content pertaining to psychology, neurology and technology for the past 6 months which ranged from materials by Dr Jordan Peterson, Dr Richard Haier, Elon Musk, Nicholas Carr and others. 

And this seemed reasonably natural.

However, what I found fascinating is why this issue has lately acutely struck me.

At the outset I thought it is because I know that the transformation has already begun. Culturally as a society we are ever more dependent on our smart devices for digital connectivity to a point where our brains now map our phones as an extension to our biological-selves.

I understood that the regular use of social media and the internet in general – how it is engineered to continually grab our attention in bite sized portions and leveraging on addictive behaviour – would affect my memory and attention span; I realize I transitioned from not reading the entire article to reading only the headlines to reading only parts of headlines and not bother completing them.

But I found that my profound concern on the plausible direction humankind is heading to stems from a recent self awareness of a deeper alteration in my neurological function/faculty: the way I am processing information is reconfiguring. While I am cognizant of the neuroplasticity of our brains, it is something else to be consciously self-aware of such a fundamental change. It is actually frightening. 

I see evidence of this in how I am unable to fully grasp the information I habitually and/or consciously consume from the screen. I could spend an hour flipping through news articles on Facebook and yet the end did not really gain anything out of it. In fact it feels like a complete waste of time. Admittedly I have partly lost that ability to meaningfully consume and synthesize information despite putting in somewhat concentrated effort.

As we welcome and immerse into the virtual world that is approaching, I wonder what other parts of our current selves that would be compromised in this technological venture.

In a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus documented by Platos in 370 BC, they weighed the adoption of writing. Socrates made a reference to a tradition where one of the kings of Egypt, Thamus who was also an inventor of many arts and sciences argued against writing as those who rely on reading for their knowledge will “seem to know much, while for the most part they know nothing.” They will not be “filled with wisdom, but with the conceit of wisdom” and that inscribing and reciting symbols which are resemblances of knowledge prevents us from achieving the emotional and intellectual depth that leads to wisdom and true happiness. 

When we as a species embraced the technology to write and learned to read, we have possibly compromised some capacity to express, appreciate and internalize the spoken word as we previously did. In the same vein, our neurological circuits today are rewired to the technology we interface with, transmuting and sacrificing parts of senses, processes and selfs (intellectual, emotional, physical etc.). We biologically respond to the technology we choose to embrace.

It is in my view that we are at the same cross junction as when the above dialogue took place; likely a more important and crucial one. Today, serious deliberation needs to take place of the role, function and involvement of technology in view of the inevitable continual evolution of the cybernetic AI-infused collective, and its symbiotic interface with ourselves. 

We need to steer this technological machination within the measured course before it redefines reality for us, and moreover consciously and carefully map the next phase of the shared human experience. 

Spheres

Upon my return from a volunteer trip to Indonesia, my Director at my workplace who was previously a social worker asked me, “So what is real? Is that real or is our lives here real?”.

“I believe we exist in different realities”.

In a stride to be better, I’ve taken it upon myself to routinely step out of my personal day to day sphere of reality. I believe that by not taking conscious and continuous effort to forcefully peek my head out of the everyday reality I navigate, it would only reinforce and normalize my perspectives and experiences straying me further away from the realities of others.

While constant reminders of perennial issues such as war and poverty flashes on all forms of media, the messages and images conveyed desensitize quickly over time. Like how we change up our workout regimes when we reach a plateau, I apply the same principle in trying to keep myself grounded, humbled, and reminded of others’ situations and plights wherever I can, and at the same time acknowledge that some issues are extremely remote to empathize with.

I attempt this by physically involving myself in activities that are beyond and far from what I witness daily. This includes participating in activities or travelling to places where the people, their lifestyle and conditions feels alien (it does not have to be done abroad). Genuine experiential engagement in the others’ milieus has been effective in creating that connection.

One of the triggers that pushed me into adopting this mindset was when I realized how foreign I felt with issues that are so important and yet I felt a great disconnect with. I still continue to pop my head in and out of reality spheres of others’; some spheres regularly with hopes to create lasting and meaningful impact, and others to self-educate, self-remind and self-motivate.

 

 

Principles. Values. Beliefs. Faith.

It’s easy to say I believe in this, and I don’t believe in that.

Proclaiming a belief is one thing but to take action on it, to manifest its values and principles is another. To me (just me) even practising (without contest/challenge) is not a true declaration of it. The only way is to be tested.

To put it in another way, what sacrifices have we made to stand by our values?

At what lengths are we willing to standby what we say believe in, and how much pressure and temptation can we sustain until we give in?

Growth.

It’s been 2 years since my last post. After going through that exercise of trying to be a more-practising-Muslim and looking how it affects me and my lifestyle, it has opened up new roads for further development in many areas – not just just spiritually but philosophically.

The biggest takeaway from that exercise was to comfortable in my own skin. Confidence and self-esteem is everything. In terms of lifestyle, everything, even now, revolves around the practice of my religion. When making plans with friends, say for a simple meal, the first question that comes to mind would be where can I do my prayers? As much as possible I’d try to only promise on a timing where I can complete my prayers first – either at home or at mosque or musalla (is an open space outside a mosque, that is mainly used for praying) and then head out to meet the rest. I’d never imagined to reach this level of mindset. It goes to show how much the classes, projects and programmes that I’m taking part in has been effective. Furthermore, the educational structure that I’m pursuing in is rather traditional. Being mainly under one teacher (since I have yet to source out others, nor am ready for more commitment), there’s this pressure to do well as it’s more than just a teacher-student relationship, more of like a mentorship.

In the past 2 years, I have worked hard on living up to and tuning my Totality Philosophy. I’ve taken up several projects that I hope has sharpen and revitalize certain aspects of myself. Much of the focus has been on the creative side of myself as I felt that much of it has been repressed in my teenage years. Immersing myself into creative fields has further broaden up my perspective, appreciation, conversations, and exposure to different people whom I’d never get in contact or build any kind of connection with. Art in general has made me able to connect with some people just like that. Back to the idea of my philosophy, recently I have been introduced to new ideas like Mindfulness and philosophies from my religious class – firstly, to always been in remembrance of God and secondly, to serve the community – and I’ve been looking at ways I can subsume it into my theme. While there are overlaps and conflicts, I have to resolve them and yet to find peace. I mean it’s easy to say yes, I believe in this but when you have act on it, and make sacrifices based on what you say you believe in, it’s only then you realize how much you actually believe in it.

I have also consciously taken bold steps to penetrate social spheres that I know that will not organically join or assimilate into. Given that I purposely gave myself a bit of room for growth by taking 4 modules instead of 5, it was the perfect chance for me to do better, and more in my side projects and pursuits. The coolest thing about diving into social spheres is that you find yourself learning from everything. The people, the environment, the structure, the processes behind these structure etc. Learning from books or listening to lectures cannot replace experiential learning. Being actually involved, and being part of a system allows us not to take perspectives externally, and within. And only we, ourselves are truly aware of our own bias if we consciously choose to deconstruct ourselves. I think these experiences are necessary for me to achieve my long term goal. I need to know the people on the ground. I need to know what conditions are like and what I’m working with.

For the past few years I have been struggling to pick up the habit of reading. It was only until about a year ago that I finally picked up the routine to read. For me, it does come down to the genre of the book. I find myself enjoying reading non-fictional books, especially biographies and history. Reading biographies is like getting to know a person. Usually a wise, successful or at least a person with tales to tell and advice to pass on. Maybe it’s something I enjoy because it’s what I have always wanted – kind of a father/mentor figure to guide me, personally in life. Not that I don’t have a great dad but he does it in another manner. In fact my dad is #goals. A man with values, simple living, raise a family, retire and chill. On to reading history, I never thought history would touch me, but it did. Reading history has never been moving until recently, especially when I can specially identify myself with the subjects. Frankly the more history I read, the more saddened and disgusted I am with what and how nations, countries and people have pulled off since God knows when. We have always been at war and it’s just heartbreaking. A point that I have always shared with my friends is that we, at least in the social circles I am a part of, are too detached from what’s happening around the world. We are just happy in our own bubbles.

I have much to expand on the points I’ve made. Feel free to bring up any of it in person.

Cheers 🙂

-TMG

Social Experiment: Being Distinct. Being Muslim.

Growing up, I’ve seen young Muslims who covered up more than others in school. In Islam, as a form of modesty, we are taught that women are to cover their head and most of their body, while men are to cover from the navel to the knees.

I’ve always wondered how those who do are able to carry themselves around so confidently while being different. In the book Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going, written by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, he described how Muslims are distinct and not integrating well with the rest of the community. I’m curious to see if dressing differently affects how I treat others and vice versa.

With the intention of putting myself in the shoes of being a ‘distinct’ Muslim and striving to strike a balance between conviction and integration, I put myself to the test for a year. In this experiment, I’m only looking at the social aspect of how easy or difficult it is to fit in, when dressed differently.

As someone who doesn’t like attention, this social experiment wasn’t an easy one to carry out. On top of covering myself – wearing pants that go below the knees – I grew a beard and a mustache. The experiment officially started when I joined one of the halls in campus at the start of the academic year. Out of hundreds of residents, I only knew 2 or 3 of them. It was the perfect time and place for me to work with a new image.

Some observations and findings from a year of interaction:

1. I would say I was a better person. As much as I wanted to retain my personality and conduct, I find myself more conservative due to how I dress. I was more aware of what I was representing.
2. I took a long time to adjust myself to the new image and fit in with others. It was only when I accepted myself that I was able to live freely without caring for what others think of me.
3. Before this experiment, I thought that this exercise was more about how others would treat me differently because I was different. A year later I realized it was the opposite. It was because I see myself as different that I start to disassociate myself from others. I tend to make myself smaller and avoid attention at all costs. I thought I’d blend in better that way but I guess it was more of me hiding away than blending in. What’s interesting is that instead of the expectation of others ostracizing me, in reality I was the one ostracizing myself.
4. People around me were slightly more cautious of offending me. Walls were tougher to break down.
5. People don’t judge me. People don’t care, and some don’t even notice – especially those who are not in the sports scene.
6. Despite me having a good run of covering myself up for about 4 months, I did once succumb to social pressure; I wore shorts for a takraw session. In the end, it’s all in the mind. It’s up to us to free ourselves from others’ expectations of us.
7. This exercise was more difficult than expected. I thought I had the mental strength, willpower and discipline to do it for a year without failure, but I guess I fell a tad short.
8. I could say that I’m almost fully confident and comfortable with myself. Towards the last few months of the experiment, I did get involved in social activities (camps and outings) at the beach for 4 times, while wearing pants. And yes, I did get puzzled looks and questions haha

There are other drivers/reasons, social factors and learning points with regards to this experiment, but I’d like to keep this post short and to the point. With regards to striving a balance between conviction(in terms of just dressing differently) and integration, yes it can be very difficult but it is definitely possible.

This experiment has allowed me to better empathize with my fellow Muslim sisters who are fighting a tougher ‘fitting-in-with-society’ battle. Wearing a hijab will make you stick out like a sore thumb as compared to us guys who are wearing pants. You ladies have my respect.

The biggest takeaway for me is to be comfortable with yourself. You can’t expect others to accept you if you can’t accept youself; that’s it really. It’s one thing to make up a theory by just imagining being in another person’s shoes, but to experience it myself, now that’s something I’ll remember for life.

Now that it’s over, I’m choosing to continue to cover myself up and keep just a beard. Insya’Allah (God willing) I’ll pull through.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

-TMG

The Tendency To Meet Expectations

 

I find it interesting how after some time of interaction, we are able detect others’ expectations of us. As much as we try to control how we want others to perceive us which will subsequently sculpt their expectations of us, there are many other factors at play. I believe that once we detect and identify the expectations that are being set on us, we have a higher tendency to meet it be it good or bad.

Regardless whether the expectation is openly made known or just a vibe caught during a conversation, it will leave a deep scar in the back of your mind. This scar will constantly resonate to remind you of what others think you’re capable of achieving or will achieve. With a positive mindset you’ll tend to feel more motivated and determined to fulfill that goal. It gets stronger either when you consciously take it as a challenge to prove your mettle or when your ego subconsciously takes over refusing you from letting yourself fall short of the expectation.

The most interesting part however is how a negative expectation can have similar effects on us. Though this time the acting forces are pulling in nature. How this works is when a low or degrading expectation of a person is set, emotionally, he will feel discouraged, disheartened and maybe even offended. Depending on the character of the person, he can choose to give in to let that expectation dictate and define who he is – where his actions will subliminally align towards failure – or choose to put in the effort to prove the other party wrong. However, given the circumstance of having a negative expectation being set on you, the pressure by others for you to fail and the pressure you put onto yourself to succeed can be overwhelmingly to the point that it’ll break you. Meaning to say, you’ll likely end up making a mistake or two which could cause your downfall.

The more focused we are into pushing ourselves away from pit of failure, the more likely we are to be sucked in it. It’s the reason why the most common advice given is to do your best. It’s more than just putting in your heart, your time and your effort into your work but to also to disallow psychological binds that others try to put on you.

-TMG

Becoming Self-Aware Through Reflection

I think it’s good that once in a while, we should just sink into our beds, catch our breath and take a step back from everything. Exclude ourselves from our current thoughts and surroundings and reflect. We can learn so much through reflection. Reflection of big events, small actions that we take or just observations of how we ourselves have progressed as a person. It is when we reflect that we start to study who we really are. When we talk, dress and talk, we are actually putting up a show of how we want ourselves to be perceived. However when we are put into situations, we subconsciously forget the character we’re playing and that’s when our true self shows.

I always thought I knew myself well until I made discoveries about myself through reflecting on the smallest of actions. People around me have always seen me as the confident guy who doesn’t give in easily. And it seems that what others think about you also affects how you think about yourself. Then, I was really convinced that I was that guy.

Soon after, I realized I was wrong. Being the avid gamer that I was, my team and I decided to join a competitive league to put our skills to the test. Unfortunately, I saw myself giving in so easily in the early stages of the tournament. I did not see it coming. The confidence and the belief in myself I thought I had was completely shattered. Maybe it didn’t shatter as it was probably non-existent. Even with the moral support of my fellow buddies I just… gave up. Looking back I was disappointed with myself. Disappointed not because I fail, but because I didn’t even choose to convince myself I could do better.

Another one of my self discoveries is when I found myself being afraid to voice out. I’m known to be vocal and opinionated but when a situation demands for it, I find myself cowering. When I look at myself of how I handle situations, I have always been very cautious of what I say and how I phrase it. When making a point, it always comes down to me, sugarcoating my opinions with sweets, chocolates and cherries till the message is lost. I guess was too afraid to be judged, to be the ‘bad guy’. The voice and the courage that I thought I had, was just an illusion.

That’s the thing with how our minds are engineered. Our minds are wired to makes ourselves be better in every perspective possible. That’s why we look better in the mirror. Same goes with how we think. Our minds automatically puts ourselves in the good light. That’s why we tend to put the blame on others. It’s like a safety mechanism that’s always on. A self-fulfilling, self satisfying, self praising mechanism. That’s why I think it’s important for us to always take a step back and look at ourselves from a third, forth, fifth perspective. It matters.

The things we can learn about ourselves through reflection alone is amazing. It helps us be self-aware of who we really are. It shows us that we don’t actually know ourselves that well. Who we are and what we are capable of are only put the test when we are put on the spot. From there, we can work towards becoming a better person. Reflecting is just the first step of how we can mold ourselves as a person.

-TMG

 

Totality

I believe in a concept I call totality. It’s about being full, being whole, being complete. It’s not about being the best at one craft nor the best at everything. Rather, it’s about being the jack of all trades with the idea that it will help me appreciate the world around me better. The more I learn, the more I’m able to appreciate. It all comes down to studying and developing multiple disciplines with intention of understanding the things around me at a higher level.

For instance, if a cinematographer were to watch a movie, he won’t be just appreciating the movie on the surface level. As he watches the movie, his disciplined mind as a cinematographer will passively work to critically observe the camera movements, the lighting, the types of shots taken and so on. If he finds the cinematography impressive he’ll not only appreciate the content of the movie but also what goes on behind it.

There are countless examples of how having multiple disciplined minds can help one see, understand and appreciate the world around us better. Therefore I’m putting in the effort to learn as many skills and disciplines as possible. I believe that if I learn enough, you can place me anywhere and I’ll still have something to be amazed by. I really believe the world around us is that amazing but we just don’t see it yet.

Like how I have always wondered how people are fascinated by works of art that seem worthless to me. It’s then when I realize I’m missing out something. There’s something about those works of art that’s brilliant that I just can’t comprehend. Why is that? It’s because I’m not trained in that field to understand what goes behind making those pieces of art. It’s this feeling that makes me want to learn about such stuff. I don’t want to be left behind, missing out on appreciating those works, the same as a boy who’s born blind and not see the world the way we see it.

On top of appreciating the world around us, learning more than one craft is beneficial as we learn to see things from many perspectives. Wouldn’t it be amazing to look at just one object and yet have multiple perspectives of it?

With all this in mind, I strive to learn as much as possible and get as close as possible as I can to being whole. I want to breathe in the world around me. It’s a pity there’s so much amazing stuff around us that we have yet to appreciate.

What a shame.

-TMG

The Comfort Zone

I find life more fulfilling when I start challenging myself to make decisions that I wouldn’t usually make. For the most of my life I’ve been making ‘safe’ decisions. Normal, safe, boring, ‘routined’ decisions. It’s probably cause it’s easier to do something the same way over and over again when you already can expect the process and outcome of it. One of the hardest things to do is to step out of that zone by being bold, daring and adventurous.

I’m not just talking making big decisions and taking on risks but also small decisions we make everyday that make us move like clockwork. I believe it’s good that once in a while, we break out of our daily robotic routines that chain our souls down. It could be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the lift or even going on an impromptu holiday for a couple of days. I believe that even the smallest actions can stimulate our mind and body and that’s healthy for us. Making small changes like this will also open up opportunities around us that we have been missing out all this while. Why should we expect special things to happen to when we choose to expose ourselves to the same situation every single day?

The hardest leap to take is that which concerns our insecurities. Many of us are insecure about going out, having a meal or watching a movie alone. Somehow we feel vulnerable or awkward when we’re alone. Maybe it’s the silence or maybe we’re too concerned with how others may label us. If it’s the former, we should work towards being comfortable alone. If we can’t be comfortable with ourselves, how would we expect others to be comfortable around us? And if it’s the latter, we should work towards not giving a care of what others think about us. I mean why does it even matter? To live a little we should challenge ourselves to do things that we wouldn’t try before. For the sake of trying something new and to learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

Step out of the zone, life’s more fun and unpredictable that way.

-TMG