Wise Animals by Tom Chatfield 2024. A Review and a Perplexity.AI Experiment.
By Rob Tyrie CEO Ironstone Advisory Founder, MD, Chief AI Officer, GreySwanguild.org
Summary
This is a perplexity experiment to help support a real activity.
First of all my recommendation: we should read the book called Wise Animals, by the Oxford philosopher Tom Chatfield. It will help you make sense of the world as it’s unfolding right now.
Now some of the backstory and an experiment. Each month at the Grey Swan Guild we do a book club event and then at the end of the year, we do The GSG Book Festival.
The Grey Swan Guild is kind of a bookish group and we attract authors and readers and other curious people to the guild by discussing ideas that have been encapsulated in books and other creative activities like blogs or models.
In the last book club, we had about 20 people, and of the 20 only a few of the group read the book. It was still a vibrant book club, and the discussion by the people who read the book and informed the others spurred on another discussion of related ideas as we connected the dots and discussed issues illuminated by the book and the other members were able to generate ideas or give other suggestions of things we could read together.
To help people be briefed on books that have not got the time to read the book or inclination I’ve started using perplexity.ai to do a few things about the book…
- Read and process all the reviews from reputable sources.
- Create context about the book club and GreySwanGuild.org so that the summarized review is tuned to our needs and interests.
- Go deeper into finding more about the author and their background to see if we can get some sensemaking going on and connect some dots.
- Generate some ideas for book book club questions and thinking guides.
- Recommendation of some adjacent books.
This is a really easy thing to do in perplexity.ai and if you frame the prompts correctly it takes 5 minutes to create an hour or so of work to research a book before you choose to read it. Once you’re in Perplexity.ai you can always go down other rabbit holes if you so desire. Included in the generation is all the references the machine used so that you can choose the articles that you want to read before or after you read the book. As a side note, the book is not easy to get in North America, it’s published and available in Germany and France and it’s available in America as an audiobook. Hopefully, that’ll be fixed soon... I was able to get a PDF of the book via a channel after I bought the audio version which is my preference for reading books like this.
Here’s the experiment.. and the result as well, which includes some suggested questions to support your thinking.
This is a link to the same perplexity.ai session that I did and that you can continue to explore if you want.
The Prompt
Do a “Deep Dive” on a book that’s new that’s called Wise Animals by Tom Chatfield, cover the author in his background as well as why he gets to write books like this. use reviews from reputable sources to build outthis perplexity.
— — - 🤖🧠 The Perplexity View and Thinking about Wise Animals 🦉🐘
Tom Chatfield is a British author, broadcaster, and tech philosopher who has written extensively on digital culture and the impact of technology on society. Born in 1980, Chatfield received his doctorate from St. John's College, Oxford, where he also taught before pursuing a career as a writer and public speaker[2].
Chatfield's background in philosophy and his keen interest in the digital world have positioned him as a thought leader in the field. He has published several books exploring various aspects of digital culture, and his works have been translated into over two dozen languages[2]. Chatfield's writing is known for its engaging style and thought-provoking insights, which have earned him a loyal readership and critical acclaim.
In his latest book, "Wise Animals," Chatfield delves into the complex relationship between humans and technology, tracing our co-evolution from early tool usage and fire to the present day. The book aims to provide a fresh perspective on how innovation has shaped our world and how technology continues to influence us in ways that are not always apparent.
One of the key themes in "Wise Animals" is the idea that technology is far from neutral. Chatfield argues that the way innovation has progressed was not the only possible path and that we must keep an open mind about the possibilities. This perspective encourages readers to think critically about the role of technology in their lives and to consider the potential consequences of our increasing reliance on digital tools.
Reviewers have praised "Wise Animals" for its engaging exploration of the human-technology relationship. The New Scientist review highlights Chatfield's ability to make complex ideas accessible and his emphasis on the importance of understanding how technology shapes us. The Arts Desk review commends the book for its thought-provoking insights and its relevance to our changing world[1].
Given Chatfield's background as a tech philosopher and his previous works on digital culture, he is well-positioned to offer valuable insights into the relationship between humans and technology. "Wise Animals" promises to be a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding how our technological choices have shaped our past and how they will continue to influence our future.
In terms of the book's application to organizational design and artificial intelligence strategy, Chatfield's insights could prove invaluable. As organizations increasingly rely on AI and other digital technologies, understanding the complex interplay between humans and machines will be crucial for success. "Wise Animals" may offer guidance on how to navigate this relationship and design organizations that can effectively leverage technology while remaining grounded in human values and ethics.
Moreover, Chatfield's emphasis on the non-neutrality of technology could inform AI strategy by encouraging leaders to consider the potential biases and unintended consequences of their technological choices. By approaching AI with a critical eye and a willingness to explore alternative paths, organizations may be better equipped to develop AI systems that align with their values and goals.
In conclusion, Tom Chatfield's "Wise Animals" promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the human-technology relationship, offering valuable insights for individuals and organizations alike. Chatfield's background as a tech philosopher and his engaging writing style make him well-suited to tackle this complex subject, and early reviews suggest that the book delivers on its promise to provide a fresh perspective on our technological world.
10 GSG Book Club Questions to consider
we are reading this book as part of the GSG Book Club from www.greyswanguild.org
Perplexity Prompt
What are 10 relevant questions to consider this book in how it could be used in the present day and how we can consider our artificial intelligence and other software Tools in our lives.
Here are 10 relevant questions to consider regarding the book "Wise Animals" by Tom Chatfield and how its insights could be applied to our present-day relationship with artificial intelligence and other software tools:
1. How can we ensure that the development and deployment of AI aligns with human values and contributes positively to society, as Chatfield suggests technology should? What ethical frameworks and guidelines should be put in place?
2. Chatfield argues that technology is not neutral and that innovation could have taken different paths. How can we critically examine the trajectory of AI development and consider alternative approaches that prioritize human well-being?
3. As AI becomes more integrated into various aspects of our lives, how can we maintain human autonomy and avoid becoming overly dependent on these systems for decision-making?
4. What measures can be taken to address the potential biases and unintended consequences of AI, ensuring that these technologies do not perpetuate or amplify existing societal inequalities?[1]
5. How can we strike a balance between leveraging AI's capabilities to enhance efficiency and productivity while also protecting jobs and ensuring that the workforce has the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven economy?[1]
6. What role should governments, private companies, and civil society play in shaping the development and governance of AI to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of individual rights?[2]
7. As AI systems become more complex and autonomous, how can we maintain meaningful human oversight and control, especially in high-stakes domains such as healthcare, criminal justice, and national security?[3]
8. How can we foster public understanding and engagement with AI technologies, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their use and to participate in shaping the future of these systems?
9. What lessons can we learn from historical examples of technological disruption and societal adaptation to guide our approach to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI?
10. How can we cultivate a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and dialogue among technologists, ethicists, policymakers, and the broader public to address the complex implications of AI and ensure its responsible development and deployment?[4]
By engaging with these questions and the insights offered in "Wise Animals," we can work towards a future in which artificial intelligence and other software tools are developed and used in ways that promote human flourishing and societal well-being.
Citations for Questions:
[1] The impact of artificial intelligence on human society and bioethics - NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7605294/
[2] 6 Ethical Considerations of Artificial Intelligence - Upwork https://www.upwork.com/resources/ai-ethical-considerations
[3] AI Deployed Nukes 'to Have Peace in the World' in Tense War Simulation https://gizmodo.com/ai-deployed-nukes-have-peace-world-tense-war-simulation-1851234455
[4] Ethical Considerations in AI Development - Apiumhub https://apiumhub.com/tech-blog-barcelona/ethical-considerations-ai-development/
[5] From Gaza to Ukraine, AI is Transforming War - Inkstick Media https://inkstickmedia.com/from-gaza-to-ukraine-ai-is-transforming-war/
[6] Militarization of AI Has Severe Implications for Global Security and ... https://unu.edu/article/militarization-ai-has-severe-implications-global-security-and-warfare
[7] The AI War and How to Win It - by Alexandr Wang https://alexw.substack.com/p/war
[8] AI in war: Can advanced military technologies be tamed before it’s ... https://thebulletin.org/2024/01/ai-in-war-can-advanced-military-technologies-be-tamed-before-its-too-late/
[9] Ethical considerations in AI-driven software development | Qarbon IT https://www.qarbon.it/blog/ethical-considerations-in-ai-driven-software-development
[10] The Ethics of AI in Software Development - BairesDev https://www.bairesdev.com/blog/ethics-of-ai-in-software-development/
[11] What Is The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) On Society? https://bernardmarr.com/what-is-the-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-on-society/
[12] Common ethical challenges in AI - Human Rights and Biomedicine https://www.coe.int/en/web/bioethics/common-ethical-challenges-in-ai
[13] Impact of artificial intelligence on human loss in decision making ... https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-01787-8
[14] The Future of AI Is War | The Nation https://www.thenation.com/article/world/artificial-intelligence-us-military/
[15] Study Used AI In Military Conflict Simulation - It Chose War Every Time https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/study-used-ai-in-military-conflict-simulation-it-chose-war-every-time-5018238
[16] 35 Ways Real People Are Using A.I. Right Now - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/14/upshot/up-ai-uses.html
[17] How artificial intelligence is transforming the world | Brookings https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-world/
[18] The Future of AI: How Artificial Intelligence Will Change the World https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-future
[19] 6 AI tools to supercharge your work and everyday life - ZDNET https://www.zdnet.com/article/6-ai-tools-that-can-supercharge-your-everyday-life-and-work/
Citations for The Book Review:
[1] Tom Chatfield: Wise Animals review - on the changing world https://theartsdesk.com/books/tom-chatfield-wise-animals-review-changing-world
[2] Tom Chatfield https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Chatfield
[3] What is AI https://www.whyofai.com/blog/what-is-ai
[4] The Ten Stages of AI Development: From Rule-Based Systems to God ... https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ten-stages-ai-development-from-rule-based-systems-art-tawanghar
[5] A Proposal of an Animal Detection System Using Machine Learning https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08839514.2019.1673993
[6] Artificial Intelligence and the Superorganism - organism.earth https://www.organism.earth/library/document/artificial-intelligence-and-the-superorganism
[7] The “Natural” Nonsense that is Applied Zoopharmacognosy | https://skeptvet.com/Blog/2016/10/the-natural-nonsense-that-is-applied-zoopharmacognosy/
[8] Investigating the Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Business Value in ... https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/14/2/85
[9] [PDF] organization. Organizational Behaviour https://www.tmv.edu.in/pdf/Distance_education/BCA%20Books/BCA%20VI%20SEM/BCA-629%20OB.pdf
[10] Critical Thinking explained by Tom Chatfield - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoxnmlFHaPQ
[11] 4.3 Organizational Designs and Structures - Principles of Management https://openstax.org/books/principles-management/pages/4-3-organizational-designs-and-structures
[12] 100 Best Critical Thinking Books of All Time (Updated for 2021) https://www.shortform.com/best-books/genre/best-critical-thinking-books-of-all-time
[13] [PDF] ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR - MDU https://mdu.ac.in/UpFiles/UpPdfFiles/2021/Jul/4_07-01-2021_12-32-15_Organizational%20Behaviour.pdf
[14] Human-in-the-loop machine learning: a state of the art - SpringerLink https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10462-022-10246-w
[15] Standard Size: The Whys - - Doberman Pinscher Club of America https://dpca.org/breeded/standard-size-the-whys/
[16] Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18336700
[17] The 100 best non-fiction books of all time - Pan Macmillan https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/general/best-non-fiction-books
[18] The Best Books on Bats - Five Books Expert Recommendations https://fivebooks.com/best-books/bats/
