Post
For those students who have not found the same “university” learning experience as they had envisioned, I would recommend that you visit every professor’s office hours regularly. It is through these office hours and the resulting connections that I have been able to experience the only real learning I’ve ever done.
After an enlightening discussion with one of my professors, “we” arrived at an interesting concept concerning the use of some humans for the advancement of others that seems to be at the source of the problems in our world today. Under what conditions can one human’s abilities be put to use for another’s gain? Our discussion began with the concept of stem cells. I have written my opinion before, but the real issue is not (and will never be) addressed by the media, and that is the application of what could become a life for the advantage of others.
We are all currently “powering” someone else’s ends. If you have a job, your skills are being applied for the advantage of your boss. A student expends their energy to achieve goals initially applied by their guardians. It is difficult to find a person who devotes their resources solely for their own ends (this is not selfishness in the general sense because one’s end could be charity).
The real danger from this situation will arise when those who control realize that humans are the ultimate resources far beyond any fuel.
Archive
-
260.
Conscious Conversation: Philosophy
Daniel Black, author of Erectlocution, was kind enough to chat with me one day and we had a great discussion – have a listen.
-
260.
The Stuff in Between
I’m actually almost normal when not agonizing over robot production details, and quite a bit has happened since I last wrote an update. First, I’ve finally graduated. I had a bit of a...
-
260.
The Ethics of AI: Part Three
Is it ethical (or possible) to constrain intelligent life? This part of the argument involves what we think it means to be human, and whether creating and adjusting those criteria in an AI affects...
-
260.
The Ethics of AI: Part Two
Is it ethical to allow humanity to continue, or to replace our species with machines? This is getting tougher. Why does humanity deserve to exist? The recorded history of the experiences of Homo...
-
260.
The Ethics of AI: Part One
Is it ethical to create consciousness? In this discussion, I will make the assumption that we can be assured these beings are “personally” intelligent (i.e. just like us). As we see in nature,...
-
260.
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
I am beginning a series exploring some ethical concerns associated with the development of artificial intelligence. Neurobiological evidence points firmly to the brain as the source of human...
-
260.
The Atheist's Purpose
As a lot of the content on this site suggests, I’m an atheist. Being an atheist can be a bit contentious, as many find the lack of an explicit purpose or codified moral laws wrong. So, I’d like...
-
260.
Conscious Conversation: Computation
Dr. Rapaport is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo with research interests in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence,...


Comments
It’s not a morale booster to line an executive’s pockets by working harder. That’s why many people are motivated to start their own businesses and work for themselves. Otherwise, we are just selling our services to help our employer, but for money and benefits. So all employees are being “used” to some degree, but employees can “use” their employers back by managing workload, hours, and expectations to some degree. That’s the only saving grace, and the reason that unions were formed.
– Atul
Atul
Mar 14, 01:56 AM #
Come to think of it, maybe it’s better if they don’t :D
Thame
Mar 14, 04:13 PM #
That being said, most companies recognize the value of a highly skilled individual because if that person leaves, he or she is going to be difficult to replace. However, in the case of “less skilled” individuals (i.e. sales clerks), companies will do less to keep these people happy because they are easy to replace in that practically anybody can learn how to be a sales clerk in a relatively short time period, with minimal training.
I don’t think that it is accurate to say that corporations do not recognize the value of ALL their employees, but they certainly do not recognize the potential of those who work lower-level jobs. Most people employed as sales clerks, for example, are capable of doing so much more than many managers may realize. I worked at a waterpark last summer selling waterpark passes, and I know that I am capable of much more than pressing buttons and wristbanding people. I think the challenge for many companies is to transfer their attitudes regarding employees to lower levels of the organization instead of just focussing on the most skilled individuals.Most sales clerks can be much more effective if given just a little more training, room to be creative, and responsibility, since their skill sets are beyond what their jobs actually require.
Colleen
Mar 20, 06:20 PM #
Tee
Tee
Dec 17, 09:35 AM #
managers may realize. I worked at a waterpark last summer selling waterpark passes, and I know that I am capable of much more than pressing buttons and wristbanding people. I think the challenge for many companies is to transfer their attitudes regarding employees to lower levels of the organization instead of just focussing on the most skilled individuals.Most sales clerks can be much more effect
Arron Opo
Mar 23, 03:42 PM #
Add a Comment
Phrase modifiers:
_emphasis_
*strong*
__italic__
**bold**
??citation??
-
deleted text-@code@Block modifiers:
bq. Blockquote
p. Paragraph
Links:
"linktext":http://example.com