I am not a robot

I am not a robot

I just clicked the box once more as I access another site on my computer. I do this without thought…almost robotically!

If you ask my grandkids, they will tell you that Grandpa is becoming a robot and “bionic” now that he has a new knee. Pictures of my knees and hip are on my office door as a reminder.

A friend recently told me that when she had her knee replaced, a robot did the surgery.

I ordered on my computer compression socks after the knee operation and a robotic algorithm now sends me the best deals on designer socks. I might order ones with the Seattle Mariners logo.

As much as I would like to claim my independence and self-direction, my days often have a robotic pattern of morning writing, afternoon outdoor activities, and evening watching a movie or reading a book. Being a creature of habit can become robotic.

Years ago while studying in Scotland I rode the night train from London back to Edinburgh so I could attend my Monday morning graduate school classes. I awoke from sleep when the train jerked ahead after a stop at the station in Wigan Pier. Peering outside in the darkness I could make out the outlines of row after row of buildings in an endless stream of sameness.

This was Geoge Orwell’s hometown and before he wrote his prophetic book 1984, his consciousness had been shaped by the robotic nature of his neighborhood.

And, of course, we now are entering the Age of AI.

With it, we face both the marvels of instantaneous information and the perils of plagiarism. My favorite depiction of this dilemma known as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, is an animated Disney film where the new technology of the time, a broom, takes over and begins to run things and rule the world.

At the heart of the matter is the issue of freedom. Do we decide or does someone else decide for us? Today the curse of authoritarianism promises to solve complicated problems with simplistic solutions in one day or with one phone call. The challenge of democracy is our involvement in the process of decision-making. This begins with checking the box, “I am not a robot.”

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