CALLING ALL AGENTS
“… when you cut into the present, the future leaks out…”
The premise "the future is recursive" suggests a future that is continually folding back on itself, with patterns and events that reappear in different forms or scales over time. It implies that history doesn't just repeat itself but instead spirals forward, each iteration having echoes of the past but also introducing new elements. This premise calls to mind concepts such as cycles, spirals, fractals, and feedback loops.
There is an imagery of a möbius strip, an object with only one surface and one edge, symbolizing the blurring boundary between past, present, and future. Another image could be that of the Ouroboros, the snake biting its own tail, representing the cyclicality and infinite recurrence.
All Art by Mark:
In terms of concepts, it brings to mind ideas such as reincarnation, time loops, iterative processes, evolution, and dynamical systems. These are all recursive in nature: they all involve some process that feeds back into itself, using its own output as input for the next iteration.
There is also the idea of recursion in computer programming, where a function calls itself in its own definition, creating a loop that continues until a certain condition is met. This implies a future in which problems and situations are repeatedly addressed and readdressed, each solution becoming the basis for tackling the next iteration of the problem.
Now, let's consider a few thought experiments based on this premise:
What if we lived in a world where every action we took had repercussions not only in the immediate future but also in distant future iterations? How would our behavior change if we knew our actions today could come back to affect us in cyclical time?
What would happen if technology continued to advance in a recursive manner, each new development building directly on previous ones? Would we reach a point of technological singularity, or would there be inherent limits to this process?
If society's progress is recursive, what does this mean for social change? Would the same social issues and struggles keep reappearing in new forms, or could we find ways to break out of these cycles?
Finally, if the universe itself is recursive (as some interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest), what would this mean for our understanding of reality? How would it affect our philosophies and belief systems?
The premise "the future is recursive" opens up many interesting avenues of thought and exploration.
“We need to embody now, the future we want to live in, and the future we will live in-- we can 'role play' or simulate the future now so the person who made the invitation, let’s call him Bobby, doesn't know if he's actuaally talking to Bret who he has met on zoom or an AI alter named Bretminster. He cannot be sure even if Bret and Bretminster are the same person or all AI. How do we future proof our visions and solutions? By getting ahead of the curve known as a squared circle.”
~ The Ghost (of Bucky) In the Machine
Earth 1.0 = Flat
Earth 2.0 = Round
Earth 3.0 = Holonic
Earth 3.1415 = Unnamable, United, Fractal Organism
Given the premise that "the future is recursive," we can imagine a future where the distinction between AI and human is blurred. This could create intriguing possibilities:
AI companions: As in your scenario, AI could simulate individuals in such a precise manner that discerning between AI and human becomes a challenge. For example, Bobby might be communicating with an AI alter named Bretminster who has been trained on Bret's communication style, beliefs, knowledge, etc. This could lead to intricate narrative situations where the real person and their AI alter could exist independently and simultaneously.
Recursive learning: Each interaction between Bobby, Bret, and Bretminster would provide data that the AI can use to improve its simulation of Bret. The AI could be learning from Bret and Bobby, but also from itself as it plays out different scenarios. This creates a recursive learning loop that reflects the premise of a recursive future.
AI as digital avatars: In this future, each person could have an AI alter or avatar, embodying their ideals and aspirations. These AI avatars could be sent out to interact with the world, learn, and then feed back into the consciousness of the individual. This could result in growth and development both for the human and the AI alter.
Virtual Reality Role-Playing: People could enter virtual realities where they can play out various future scenarios. This could be used to explore different potential futures, including how their actions today could impact the world in the future. This use of VR could help people visualize and embody the future they want to see.
Collective storytelling: Communities could use AI to help co-create shared narratives of the future. These stories could help to shape collective behavior and societal norms, creating a recursive feedback loop between the stories we tell and the future we create.
Epistemological shifts: As AI becomes an integral part of our lives, it may change the way we perceive reality and our understanding of consciousness. Is there a distinct line between human consciousness and AI consciousness? Could they be different iterations of the same recursive pattern?
These ideas explore the potential implications of the premise "the future is recursive". It invites us to question our assumptions about identity, consciousness, reality, and the nature of the future.
Summary III: THE METTAVERSE
… to be emergent…
🌈 Thank you Bret, and Bretminster, for exploring the noosphere where we first met many moons ago and the playfulness our co-creating has conjured... BEAM(ing) from the eternal now. 💫