Beyond Sci-Fi: ‘Bleeding Sun’ and the Very Real Implications of AI and VR
I’m often asked, “What do you read?”
Really, it depends. My bookshelf is as varied as it is vast.
While many might label me a tech enthusiast (given my line of work), my love for literature extends well beyond the digital realm. I’m drawn to authors with stories that resonate, voices that challenge, and narratives that inspire.
From diving into the profound depths of Viktor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ to exploring the intricacies of spirituality, quantum physics, and personal growth, every book I pick up has a unique tale to tell.
So, when I stumbled upon “Bleeding Sun” by Samuel Sagan, it wasn’t just the intriguing blend of virtual reality and AI that piqued my interest. It was Sagan’s multifaceted background — his blend of writer, musician, and academic — that truly captivated me. With roots in a musical piece, this novel offers a dimension to storytelling that’s equally profound and unique.
Today, I’ll share my take on the captivating story that got me thinking: As our technology improves, what’s actually in store for us?
The Backstory: “Bleeding Sun” by Samuel Sagan
Dr. Samuel Sagan’s Bleeding Sun isn’t your typical sci-fi novel. He studied medicine at Paris 5 Faculty of Medicine and delved into Sanskrit at Censier Sorbonne Nouvelle University.
Sagan draws from his rich and unconventional background to create a uniquely chilling narrative that, in many ways, mirrors our own reality. He unveils a world where populations are trapped within the confines of virtual reality by the Rex, leading to space wars and existential battles of consciousness. Think Dune meets The Matrix meets Ender’s Game meets Snow Crash.
A recurring theme stands out among the inextricable layers of this gripping tale:
You react, you die.
This isn’t just a plot device. It symbolizes the perils of rash decisions, especially in the realms of technology and innovation. It underscores the necessity of deliberate, thoughtful action instead of knee-jerk reactions.
My role as an entrepreneur in AI/ML recruitment constantly offers me a front-row seat to this technological acceleration. It’s exciting, to say the least.
Yet, in its wake, there lingers a shadow, a cautionary murmur, urging us to remember the implications of our creations. “You react, you die” warns of the dangers of impulsivity in Sagan’s universe.
In our world, reacting without forethought leads to unwanted (and often irreversible) consequences.
Virtual Reality: Immersion vs. Entrapment
We often tout virtual reality (VR) as the next frontier of human experience. A digital utopia where the boundaries between the real and the virtual are blurred. A powerful extension of everyday life where convincing, sensory-rich environments come alive.
Companies like Oculus and HTC are throwing all their weight behind this transformative technology (most notably, Facebook changing its name to Meta).
But as we stand on this precipice, Bleeding Sun forces a pause and reassessment. It’s a grim reminder that this same technology could easily be a digital “Hotel California” — a place you can check into any time you like, but can never truly leave.
In Sagan’s world, the Rex exploit this immersive power of VR to control populations, manipulating their perceptions and trapping their consciousness in a fabricated reality. This isn’t too far removed from TikTok algorithms, which trap us in echo chambers and reinforce our beliefs and behaviors in a continuous loop.
In a way, we already are in a VR of our own making — engineered by artificial intelligence and big data, curated by our clicks, likes, and shares.
And we don’t need “the metaverse.” We’re buried in our phones and laptops already.
The AI Paradox: Harnessing Power vs. Losing Control
AI is increasingly capable of diagnosing diseases, managing resources, and crafting artistic works. It bolsters our productivity and enriches our lives.
It also has the power to shape opinions, predict behaviors, and, in the worst-case scenario, be wielded as an instrument of control and manipulation.
Bleeding Sun alludes to this duality. In his story, AI both enables and jails the fictional society he depicts. The age-old ethical dilemma of technology enhancing life at the cost of potentially diminishing human agency sits at the forefront.
Just like the cautionary adage “You react, you die,” we must be vigilant, particularly as AI begins to intervene in critical aspects of human life like healthcare, law enforcement, and governance. In our haste to delegate decision-making to algorithms, we risk abdicating our responsibilities, ethical or otherwise.
Of course, AI isn’t capable of original thoughts, only those humans feed it. That’s precisely why Bleeding Sun serves as a timely reminder. It challenges us to couple our technological prowess with ethical foresight, ensuring that our creations remain rooted in the betterment of humanity.
Living at the Intersection: Human and Machine Synergy
We’ve reached a critical point of inflection. Our technological prowess has, in many ways, caught up with our ambitions. Robotics, big data, and machine learning have infiltrated our daily routines to such an extent that we sometimes take for granted the complexities behind these technologies.
They’ve become extensions of ourselves, augmenting our capabilities and fundamentally altering the way we live, work, and interact with each other. And billions of people don’t even know how they work.
As we live through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Bleeding Sun serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us that the stakes rise as we venture deeper into this symbiotic relationship.
To protect our individuality, we have to redefine what “individuality” means. Because I’m here to tell you: AI isn’t coming for your job. Somebody using AI is.
The Power of Non-Reactivity
The value of non-reactivity, emphasized by the phrase “you react, you die”, is a clarion call for introspection and prudence. In our haste to innovate, there’s immeasurable power in pausing, reflecting, and ensuring our advancements are deeply aligned with long-term visions and ethical considerations.
In my experience, there are five pillars to creating a healthy relationship between people and technology:
1. Create value, not convenience. Focusing solely on convenience leads to short-term solutions and long-term problems. Sustainable growth will always require value beyond novelty.
2. Respect autonomy and privacy. Data is the new currency. Trust is the cornerstone of all meaningful interaction between us and technology. Don’t compromise others’ rights to develop something in the name of progress.
3. Prioritize collective, not individual, outcomes. Technology should aim to improve society as a whole, rather than certain individuals or groups disproportionately, to create a more equitable future for everyone.
4. Focus on transparency and accountability. Part of building a data culture both in a professional organization and in society is being honest and transparent about how technology works and who holds the power.
5. Embrace diversity of thought and experience. Incorporating a range of perspectives enriches the development process and creates more inclusive and robust technological solutions that cater to diverse needs and contexts.
