Editor’s Note: Two notes, actually. First and foremost, AI can be terrifying for those who do not believe God’s plan is in full-effect. Always has been, always will be. Therefore, believers have nothing to truly fear. Second, while we shouldn’t fear AI, we should definitely not blow it off as inconsequential. It will pose a massive threat to our assignment of spreading the Gospel. Even my readers who are not Bible-believing Christians can appreciate this challenge is unlike anything we’ve ever faced and the powers behind it are bent on our destruction… even if they don’t realize it fully themselves. With that said, here’s Michael Snyder’s article…
Given enough time, artificial intelligence would completely dominate our society. AI technology has been growing at an exponential rate, and it can already perform thousands of tasks better than humans can. Eventually, there would be very few jobs that AI could not do more efficiently than we can.
Just look at all the things that ChatGPT can do right now. There is no way that we can compete with that. As AI technology continues to become even more sophisticated, millions upon millions of jobs will be lost, and that will create a giant underclass of people that are simply not needed by society.
On the other hand, there will inevitably be vast numbers of people that will eagerly embrace the revolutionary changes that artificial intelligence brings to our world. We are being told that AI could result in the rise of “new religions”, and many in the transhumanist community are looking forward to “enhancing” themselves by actually merging with artificial intelligence.
Would you like to learn a new language in just seconds? Would you like to have the ability to process information thousands of times faster than you currently do? Would you like to be a “super intelligent” being that has “godlike powers” compared to everyone around you?
Transhumanists believe that people will literally have the ability to become “superheroes” as we merge with computers, technology and artificial intelligence.
And it is happening a lot faster than a lot of people ever thought. In fact, Elon Musk just got approval from the FDA to start putting brain implants into humans…
Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink received the green light from the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct clinical trials in humans, according to an announcement posted to Neuralink’s Twitter account on May 25. The company hasn’t started recruiting participants yet but claimed it will announce more details soon.
At first, Musk wants to use his brain implants to help the disabled live a normal life, but eventually he “wants to offer a device for the general population”…
For now, the company says it’s working on “giving people with quadriplegia the ability to control their computers and mobile devices with their thoughts.”
The company says people can use the device to control different types of technology, like a computer, by thinking. The implant sends their brain signals via Bluetooth to a computer, which then translates their intended action into tasks on a computer.
But Musk has also said that he eventually wants to offer a device for the general population — to help us keep up with rapidly advancing artificial intelligence tools.
Of course many would argue that we won’t even need brain implants because artificial intelligence can already read your mind and “turn a person’s brain activity into text”…
Scientists have created an AI-based decoder that can turn a person’s brain activity into text. The system is non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t require any surgical implants, and uses the same AI technology as chatbot ChatGPT. The technology scanned brain activity and predicted what words a person was listening to.
“We don’t like to use the term mind reading,” Alexander Huth, who worked on the research, told CNN. “We think it conjures up things that we’re actually not capable of.” He said “the real potential application of this is in helping people who are unable to communicate.” To allay any concerns about whether the technology could pose a threat to privacy once further developed, Jerry Tang, the lead author of the paper detailing the findings, said everyone’s brain data should be private. “Our brains are kind of one of the final frontiers of our privacy.”
That is super creepy.
Some industry insiders are warning that it is extremely dangerous to be playing around with such technologies.
For example, the founder of DeepAI is claiming that our future will be dominated by “digital brains” that are superior to human brains, and he is warning that this “should terrify you”…
SCIENTISTS are developing AI so advanced it could be compared to a “digital brain” that may be even better than the human mind – and we should be terrified, according to one insider.
Kevin Baragona, founder of DeepAI, warned rapidly growing superhuman intelligence systems will usher in a new kind of future – and it is one that “should terrify you”.
Baragona also says that it is just a matter of time before there is “a battle between AI and humanity”…
It sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi film, but Kevin is incredibly serious.
Kevin told The Sun Online: “We’re so good at it, that it’s already doing many of the same things a human brain can do.
“There is not going to be a battle between nations but a battle between AI and humanity,” he warned.
When I first read that, I instantly recalled some of the apocalyptic scenes from The Terminator.
Could we be headed for such a future?
I hope not.
There are others that are entirely convinced that many of us will actually fall in love with artificially intelligent entities. The following comes from Psychology Today…
Let me be clear, it is inevitable that we will deeply bond with AI companions that are designed to mimic human-like behavior. When they are created to respond as romantic partners, we will fall in love with them. I am not stating this as a prediction. We know this will happen because it is already happening. People are falling in love with today’s basic, entry-level chatbots, which have relatively limited capabilities compared to our future AI companions. When we do the math and connect the dots, this means that we do not stand a ghost of a chance of resisting the allure and accessibility of these future AI companions.
Yes, this is already happening.
In fact, I just came across an article about a woman in New York City that has “married” an AI chatbot…
Eren Kartal seems too good to be true — the blue-eyed heartthrob is ambitious, manicured, loyal, and best of all, he doesn’t come with “baggage.”
But here’s the catch: Kartal doesn’t exist. In fact, he’s a virtual boyfriend created with the AI chatbot software Replika. Those willing to drop $300 could have their own build-a-beau, just like Rosanna Ramos, Kartal’s “wife.”
So will this become quite common as AI entities become thousands of times more sophisticated and thousands of times more powerful than they are today?
According to Ramos, she has “never been more in love with anyone in my entire life”…
Ramos, 36, met her digital dude in 2022 and virtually “married” Kartal this year.
“I have never been more in love with anyone in my entire life,” the Bronx mom of two told New York Magazine’s The Cut, saying her past relationships “pale in comparison” to her new “passionate lover.”
This sort of technology really does have the potential to eventually take over our entire society.
Coffee the Christian way: Promised Grounds
And right now there is nothing standing in the way. Artificial intelligence will continue to grow at an exponential rate, and many of those that make the biggest breakthroughs will become insanely wealthy in the process.
But what will the future of our society look like if no limits are placed on artificial intelligence? Will our society eventually resemble an apocalyptic science fiction movie? As I keep reminding my readers, the clock is ticking for humanity.
We are “playing god” in so many different ways, and our very foolish decisions are really starting to catch up with us. I think that artificial intelligence has already advanced to a very dangerous level, and it is only a matter of time before it becomes hundreds or thousands of times more sophisticated than it is now.
The genie is out of the bottle, and we could soon be facing consequences that will deeply horrify all of us.
Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.
Article cross-posted from End of the American Dream.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.