Unleashing Your Authentic Self: Discovering What You Truly Want in Life Amidst Societal Expectations and AI Revolution
Hatched by Diego Ospina Serna
Mar 01, 2024
4 min read
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Unleashing Your Authentic Self: Discovering What You Truly Want in Life Amidst Societal Expectations and AI Revolution
In Western popular culture, we are often taught from a young age to model and emulate certain behaviors. Family and cultural traditions play a significant role in shaping our expectations and aspirations, particularly among women. The pressure to meet societal benchmarks can lead to anxiety and a fear of deviating from convention. We internalize events like graduating from college or getting married as desirable, and we feel compelled to fit into a predetermined mold or risk alienation.
But what if we shifted our focus from external measurements of success to understanding what truly brings us joy in life? Rather than asking, "What do you want out of life?" which perpetuates the idea of external validation, we should instead ask ourselves, "What do I enjoy about life?" This reframing allows us to explore our genuine interests and desires, free from the influence of societal expectations.
When faced with significant decisions, it is essential to understand the underlying reasons and fears that shape our choices. For example, if you and your partner are contemplating marriage, take a moment to reflect on your views of marriage. Have you witnessed your parents constantly fighting, leading to a fear that your own marriage might be plagued by conflict? Or do you feel pressured to get married because all your friends are doing so, and you fear being left out? By delving into these questions, you can move forward authentically, guided by your own values and aspirations.
Living a life dictated by "shoulds" leaves little room for creativity and spontaneity. When societal norms provide limited roadmaps for the future, we may feel obligated to follow a predetermined path. To uncover the events and activities that truly bring meaning to our lives, we must dig deep into our motivations. Research has shown that people often conform their behaviors to gain acceptance and fit in with others. However, it is crucial to remember that our self-worth should not be measured by validation and acceptance from others.
In the midst of navigating societal expectations, we also find ourselves in the midst of an AI revolution. ChatGPT, an AI language model, has garnered attention for its ability to generate text that resembles human conversation. However, it is important to recognize that the information provided by ChatGPT is not always accurate. While the responses may seem plausible, they are often a collection of ideas that the model believes make sense together. ChatGPT is not infallible and can be a significant source of misinformation. In some cases, it may even tell us what we want to hear.
The battle for AI dominance among tech giants is underway. The first company to master the game of artificial intelligence, particularly semantic search and internet usage, will emerge victorious. ChatGPT operates on a generative model, where it predicts the most likely word to follow in a given text. This concept is similar to the autocorrect feature on our smartphones. In 2017, a breakthrough came with the publication of the research paper "Attention Is All You Need" by Google researchers. This paper introduced a solution that allows for better context retention as we move away from the original text. However, in texts exceeding a thousand words, the meaning can start to diminish. Additionally, the training process for these AI models is not easily parallelizable, posing a significant challenge.
Amidst this backdrop, it becomes increasingly crucial for us to rely on our own critical thinking and discernment. While AI technologies like ChatGPT can provide quick and convenient information, we must exercise caution and verify the accuracy of the information we receive. It is important to cultivate a healthy skepticism and not blindly accept everything presented to us.
In conclusion, discovering what we truly want in life requires introspection and a willingness to challenge societal expectations. By asking ourselves what brings us joy and aligning our decisions with our authentic selves, we can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. In addition, as AI continues to advance, it is essential to remain vigilant and not solely rely on AI-generated information. Here are three actionable pieces of advice to guide you on this journey:
- 1. Reflect on your motivations: Before making significant decisions, take the time to understand the underlying reasons and fears that influence your choices. By identifying these factors, you can make more authentic decisions that align with your values and aspirations.
- 2. Embrace your uniqueness: Society may try to mold us into a predetermined image of success, but true fulfillment comes from embracing our individuality. Cultivate your own interests and passions, even if they deviate from societal norms.
- 3. Verify information: In an era where AI-generated information is readily available, it is crucial to exercise critical thinking and verify the accuracy of the information we encounter. Don't blindly accept everything presented to you; instead, seek multiple sources and evaluate the credibility of the information.
By following these principles, you can navigate the complexities of societal expectations and the AI revolution, ultimately leading a life that is true to yourself. Remember, your journey is unique, and it is up to you to chart your own path towards fulfillment and authenticity.
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