#Alexander as a cautionary tale

[jeannereames]

Hii Dr. Reames, I hope you're having a good day.

I've seen the claim several times that Hephaistion's funeral was the most expensive (or one of the most expensive) in history or at least of its time, how true is that? I'm curious to know how much money Alexander spent and how much that amount would be equivalent to today

Hephaistion's Funeral

Making comparisons between ancient and modern costs is tricky because it's not one-to-one. Accounts say Alexander spent 10 or 12-thousand talents on Hephaistion's funeral. It doesn't specify of gold or silver, but silver is probably to be assumed if gold isn't specified. As of today (12/7/24), a gram of silver is worth $1.00, US, and an Attic talent is estimated at about 26 kilograms. I'm using Attic, although archaeologists DO actually know the silver weight for Macedonia in Alexander's reign...but I'm not sure where to find that (without a lot of digging), so Attic will do as an estimate; it won't be enormously far off.

26,000 grams of silver = 1 Attic talent. Multiplying that, we get $260,000,000 for 10,000 talents.

BUT the real question is what will that buy? That's why one-to-one conversion is meaningless. For instance, a cheap t-shirt in the US is under $10, more if specialized or nice soft cotton...but a cheap wool garment (chiton) in Classical Athens was about 20 drachmai or 10 days' wages. Linen was at least twice that. (Why clothes were made at home.) The standard wage for a skilled laborer was 2 drachmai a day. A single talent = 6000 drachma, so a skilled laborer earned a talent in a little over 8 years, if he worked every day, 8.5 if he took off for holidays.

(An article on the cost of common items in Classical Athens.)

So, Hephaistion's funeral (low-end) cost the equivalent of 1 year's wages for 80,000 people, or the entire population of Kalamazoo, Michigan (minus temp college students), and then some. Or you could buy 13 million wool chitones. The entire population of modern Greece in 2023 was not-quite 10.5 million.

Whether that's the most expensive funeral in history, I don't know that we have the data to say...so avoid hyperbole. We CAN say it was hella costly.

BUT I'd also caution that we must take these numbers with a grain of salt--just like the supposed cost of Boukephalas, Alexander's famous warhorse, at 13 talents. Whatever the funeral actually cost, it almost certainly didn't cost 10K talents, much less 12K.

By the Roman era, Hephaistion's funeral had become the ne plus ultra of "excessive grieving" = lack of sophrosune/self-control = A BAD THING. The "moral of the story" was that, in his final years, Alexander had lost it...excessive wealth leading to complete immoderation. IOW, Alexander the Great = Elon Musk.

It's also important to point out that, whatever it did cost, Alexander was not the sole donor. Both people and cities in the empire sent money, some to honor Hephaistion, others to avoid Alexander's ire or to gain his favor. We have no way of knowing what percentages were, but it's worth noting a general outpouring of financial contributions.

There is also disagreement as to whether the whole thing went to his funeral pyre, or to a monument (like the Mausoleum), or to a mixture of monument and pyre. I'll go with door #3, btw.

Whatever it was doesn't seem to have been fully completed by Alexander's own death, 9-10 months later. Diodoros gives us our fullest description, but he may have been working from plans, not the completed structure.

(Sketch below: Quatremere de Quincy, publ. on Magasin Pittoresque, Paris, 1849, available from Getty Images.)

[drippingmoon]

Remains of a Night | Aberration of Sunlight: Beta stage!

Hello to everyone! I'm super happy and excited to announce that another one of my wips has reached beta stage. It's a series of two books: with Remains of a Night being the first, and Aberration of Sunlight wrapping up the story. Like before, if anyone would like to give a wee fellow writer a hand, I'd beam in gratitude☺ If not -- if you could at least boost this post, that'd be delightfully kindly of you. ❤

Sign-up period: till April 10

Genre: sci-fi horror, taking place on either an icy planet, or in the dead of cosmic space, as we're on the runnnn

Long story long (both books' blurb):

In purple fields of forget-me-nots, a broken helmet rests. It's the Fourth Dive of Procyon.

The Beast of the Deep Night has long turned into a cataclysm. Now it vies to extinguish humanity. The stars are slowly being tugged its way, and one day they will all Dive inside its void maw. This is the current outlook, in the planets' neon nights of bleakness and numbness. Alexander Madigan, police Superintendent of his planet, is definitely not where he should be. But with the world at an end, and a distress call breaking the silence of his office, he decides to investigate the truth behind the cataclysm. Even if that may draw its lambent eye his way.

He doesn't think his life matters more than the young marine's on the other end, who he wishes he could bring home.

Ages before their reality, the crew of another ship does its best to preserve their own lives. Things have become complicated though: with the addition of a new recruit, and while the Beast is merely a cautionary tale in their time, their impression is that it might have just come to their ship. Nor does it bode well that they have the most selfish human on the journey with them.

Word count: 120k, 123k respectively (RoaN and AoS)

Warnings: gore, body horror, suicidal thoughts, ableism (intentional and unintentional)

This all started out of my love for Halo, (if you share it, I salute you!💞) and for the idea of a creature that could hear the whisperings of the universe to it. Boy, were they bloodthirsty.

What am I looking for?

It's an advanced draft, I went ham on the editing!🥳🤣 so if any typos have dodged my attention... (they always do, the little fuckers), I will be super grateful if you found them. Otherwise, the standard; characters, plot, odd phrasing (this isn't 'quiv, so the writing is standardly clear. Still, if there's anything that makes you squint, I want to know). I do have lists of questions for each chapter, but you can opt out of it and comment free style.

Honestly, I just want your direct thoughts, and if there happens to be someone who's an expert on people who have had one arm devoured... that's a sensitivity beta I could use!🤩

Inconsistencies! Orrrr... if something just so feels like it used to have 5 more chapters on it and now it looks like a visitor from another timeline. Whoops.

Your emotions! Let me eat them! What moments stayed with you, and which had you feel particularly meh! More than everything else on this list, this is the most important one to me.🥹

Very preferably, that you read both books. However, it's purely optional.

What can you expect?

Two pretty word documents! We can talk as much or as little as you want. I do enjoy making friends, though🤭

No deadlines. Having been a beta reader myself more than a handful of times, I know how hard it is. Nevertheless, please do make sure you actually want to do this, and genuinely like the sound of this series.🧐 I will expect you to keep me updated about your progress (nothing fancy; once per month), so I know I'm not being ghosted. It goes without saying you can drop it whenever you want! Just inform me. That way, I'm not waiting, and I can move ahead with my baby. And you've something off your conscience. Win-win.

!! Since I've never shared snippets here, you can absolutely ask for a sample two chapters and decide.

That's it! Thanks for eyeballing this post, and I hope to see some of you! I am genuinely curious and excited about your thoughts, and hopefully someone will have the time🤩💞 for the sign-ups, you can contact me in my DMs, or comment here, and I'll reach out to you! Ta-ta, I'm out! Have a great day!

[bestmusicalworldcup]

This is the preliminary list of entries for the Best Opening Number Tournament. In the event an incorrect song is listed or you otherwise want to litigate what the correct opening number actually is, I will give until April 2nd for you to do so.

1973 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 3 Small Words 30/90 A Cautionary Tale A Comedy Tonight A Man Of No Importance A Million Miles from Heaven A Rumor in St. Petersburg A Word to the Wise Add Át! (Nyitány) Alexander Hamilton All the Livelong Day And You Don’t Even Know It Another Day of Sun Another Op'ning, Another Show Anybody Have A Map? Aquarius Backstage Babble Bah Humbug! Be the Hero Beautiful Belle Bikini Bottom Day Blow Born to Lead Busy Woman Can't Wait Carrying the Banner Circle of Life Comedy Tonight Company Concerto in F Deep Beneath the City/Not There Yet Deliver Us Denton U.S.A. Don't Stop Me Down in New Orleans Dream a Little Harder Epiphany Every Story is A Love Story Everybody's Got the Right Ex-Wives Falsettoland/About Time Fancy Dress Fathoms Below Fathoms Below Feut of een Vent Finland Four Jews in a Room Bitching Frozen Heart Fugue for Tinhorns Genetic Repo Man Give Them What They Want Gone to Oregon Good Morning Baltimore Good Morning, Good Day Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye Goosebumps Grease Half as Big as Life Hannibal Hannibal Happiness Hard Work Heaven on their Minds Hello Here Right Now High School is Killing Me House of Borden I Don't Know I Dream of a World I Hope I Get It I Need a Life I Need to Know I Want to Be I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight If You Can Find Me I'm Here Il se passe quelque chose à Monopolis Impress Me In In the Heights Intermission Song Invocation and Instructions to the Audience It All Comes Back (Opening) It Sucks to Be Me It's Your Wedding Day Itt vagyunk (Nyitány)

Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Jet Song Just Another Day Just Leave Everything to Me Just Like it Was Before Karnak's Dream of Life Le temps des cathédrales Leave Let There Be Light On My Feet Live in Living Color Live Like This (Opening) Madame Guillotine Madrid is My Mama Magic Time Magic to Do Mama Who Bore Me Marvin’s Giddy Seizures Me and My Town Menni kéne Merano Merrily We Roll Along Miracle More Than Survive Murder Ballad No One Mourns the Wicked Not for the Life of Me Nyitány O Virga ac Diadema Oh My God (You Guys) Oh the Things You Can Think Oh What A Circus Oh, What A Beautiful Morning One By One Opening (The Secret Garden) Opening Number (Tootsie) Overture/All That Jazz Overture/Food Glorious Food Peace on Earth Penser l’impossible Pieces of Lives Populism Yeah Yeah Prelude Prelude: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord Prológ (Abigél) Prológ - Nem szabad félni! Kuksi dala Prolog (Elisabeth) Prologue (Great Comet) Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors) Prologue / The Day I Got Expelled Prologue: "Into the Woods" Prologue: Frogs Have So Much Spring (The "Spring" Song) Prologue: Once Upon a December Prologue: Ragtime Prologue/A Warning to the Audience Prologue/Any Dream Will Do Prologue/Invisible Prologue/Jet Song Prologue/The Launching Punjabi Wedding Song Reefer Madness Road to Hell Roaring On Rock Island Santa Fe (Prologue) Science Fiction/Double Feature Scrooge Seesaw Selling Out Shiver My Timbers Sit Down John Skater Planet Some Kind of Paradise Spies Are Forever Springle Ring Still Hurting Sunday In the Park With George Superhero Girl Take Me To Heaven Te kit választanál Tear Me Down The Advantages of Floating in the Middle of the Sea The Bells of Notre Dame The Bells of Notre Dame The Family Madrigal The Forest The Girl Who Drove Away The Greatest Show The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals The Old Red Hills Of Home The Oldest Orphan in the John Grier Home The Pajama Game/Racing With the Clock The Sound of Music The Stars Look Down The Sweetest Sounds The Tickle Me Wiggly Jingle The Turning of the Key The Virginia Company There Will Be Sun There You Are There's a House This is Halloween Thneedville Tina's Mother To Be Me Too Much Exposition Tower of Babble Town Tradition Tulsa '67 Tune Up #1 Untitled Opening Number Vérone Vuelie/Let the Sun Shine On Was für ein Kind We Are What We Are We Dance We Start Today We're in the Money Welcome To The Renaissance Welcome to the Rock Welcome to Wonder Land West of Words What Are the Odds What Are You Thirsty For? What Time is It? What’s Inside When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock When You're an Addams Where is the Justice Wilkommen Willamania Work Song (Look Down) Worst Team Ever You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Your Day Your Day In Court

[gjdraws]

Tagged by @desolateice !

Rules: Share the first lines of ten of your most recent fics and tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway.

Ah I do not have ten, and I went for narrative based comics (over casual strips), and of course actual word fic. Did the first paragraph because the first sentence seemed weird and contextless? Anyway.

🥌 The Art of Sweeping (you off your feet) / Men with Brooms (C6D)

They shook hands after the game, and Alexander had said, “I don't believe I've seen a better shot. It's been a pleasure.”

Cutter had smiled briefly before getting swept up by his teammates. And that, as they said, was that.

🍭 Scents and Sensibility / due South

Ray gets it now, is the thing.

Fraser getting itchy when he's all upset or has a nightmare about something he doesn't want to talk about. Like when the anniversary of Victoria came around that time and it hit him real bad.

Is it weird? Kinda. But Ray wants all of Benny, even the weird bits. After all, isn't that what it's like - loving someone?

📽 Camera Obscura / due South

“So what's it like?”

Ray's voice was matter of fact as he spoke. Fraser looked at him, considering the question. No one had ever asked about it expecting an actual reply before.

♊️ The Wolf Brothers and other Tales / due South

The snow was coming down faster. The cabin was covered with it, the light from the window a single orange ember in the midst of all that white. If you opened the door you could barely see beyond your arm. It was the kind of snow that spawned cautionary tales told around fires for years to come.

⛺️ Try Sometimes (and you might find) / due South

💋 Ladies Man / Cobra Kai

🍎 Poison Tree / Cobra Kai

🍁 Carry that weight / due South

Tagging the usual suspects and a few others:

@variousqueerthings @mauvecardigans @amymone69 @petralemaitre @portlandwithyou @sammaggs @pigtailedgirl @exuberantocean @underture @trillgutterbug

[getrealprim]

You can call me Prim, short for Primrose. My pronouns are She/Her exclusively. I post about transfeminism. But more often I just reblog and post whatever comes to my head. I do go on rants here as well, they’re pretty much untagged and I’m probably not ever going to tag them. When I talk about stuff I like I do try to tag it just so I can get interaction and thoughts from people who do.

Basically if you’re expecting a coherent tagging system, don’t.

The only thing I’m trying to be consistent on is tagging the books I’m reading, but I just got back into reading. I’m not sure if I trust myself to even be consistent on reading itself yet. But I tag my book notes with Prim Reads and the book I’m reading. So you can mute all my book talking, or just mute me talking about whatever book I’m currently reading.

CURRENTLY READING

Whipping Girl by Julia Serrano

READING LIST

Justice: What is the Right Thing to Do? By Michael Sandel

Calm the Fuck Down by Sarah Knight

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Desperation by Stephen King

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams

FINISHED

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

[hope-ur-happy]

idk why but it just randomly occurred to me that my fave category of stories is Musicals Technically Told As A Memory By A Supporting Character Based On The Opening Song (But This Limited POV And Non-Linearity Actually Has No Narrative Significance. It Does Make The Opening A Banger Though). like

mean girls (a cautionary tale) is janis and damien retelling the story of their junior year (to a new class of north shore students, i believe, but i can't remember where i read that so idk if that's real)

hamilton (alexander hamilton) is burr reflecting on his relationship with hamilton (not to a specific audience afaik, but it's obviously a post-musical perspective)

wicked (no one mourns the wicked) is glinda either telling elphaba's story to the munchkin crowd, or just having a giant sad flashback

hadestown (road to hell) is hermes singing orpheus' story (again and again and again, given the whole "it's an old song and we're gonna sing it again" sitch)

there's something so so so special about "see someone's gotta tell the tale, whether or not it turns out well" and "this is a cautionary tale" and "me? i'm the damn fool that shot him" and "goodness knows the wicked die alone" you know???

[feelsnopain]

A LIM NIGHT TO REMEMBER: Family Cousin Siwoo Nam Marries Longtime Love Agnes Choi In Glamorous Family Reunion!

Yesterday, Siwoo Nam, the ever-lowkey yet impeccably tailored Lim cousin, tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Agnes Choi in an intimate but very well-funded ceremony in The Hamptons. Though not officially on the board at LimCo, Siwoo holds a strategic role in the company. His grandfather and the infamous Lim family patriarch were brothers, making Siwoo just close enough to be in the inner circle and just far enough to stay out of the headlines.

Agnes wore a chic, minimalistic gown with an elegant long veil that covered her face, something unmistakably vintage and hauntingly beautiful. The pair have been living together in Tribeca since their post-grad years, and insiders say the wedding was more of a formal finally than a surprise.

But what truly caught our attention wasn’t the couple’s vows - it was who showed up to hear them.

Yes, that was Diana Lim, very pregnant and positively glowing, making her first public appearance as a Lim since her husband’s extremely cryptic vacation medical leave three months ago. And no, your eyes weren’t deceiving you: seated next to her and not looking like a cautionary tale for Narcan commercials was Vincent Lim himself - with Diana. The couple, who have been the subject of non-stop breakup rumors since last fall (you know the video we’re talking about - that one with a lot of snow in the bathroom and our beloved eldest boy), seemed reconciled and, dare we say, kind of peaceful?

Also spotted: Francis Song, dashing in Tom Ford and serving cunt as best man despite that turbulent Q2 board meeting we’re still recovering from. He delivered a surprisingly sentimental toast, somewhere between brotherly affection and power play, while his wife Chantal Lim watched from a corner table in full Céline, sipping something that definitely wasn’t champagne - probably still washing down her ruined career at the Democratic Party, maybe? Cheer up, queen!

And then there was Alexander Lim, who showed up arm-in-arm with his twenty-years-younger girlfriend, Cora Hwang. And yes, she was quite literally an escort before locking in her upgrade. Still, despite their unconventional origin story and drama, the pair were oddly... Grounded? Among a crowd known for outbursts, overdoses, and power feuds, Alexander and Cora might just be the most stable Lim couple in the room. Let that sink in.

With whispers already swirling that Siwoo might be eyeing a bigger seat at the LimCo table, this wedding might just be the beginning of a very public power shift.

But for now? Enjoy the lovely film pics posted by the bride, who leaves with her lover to Greece for their honeymoon this week. Cheers to love - the Lim style.

@whenthepwn MOMENTO AMANDAPAMELA APENAS!!!!

[freudianblunders]

Amadeus, 1984

The man, the music, the madness.

Amadeus is one of those films that leaves you in a profound, meditative state for a day or two. I don’t think I will ever be able to fully articulate the kind of impact it had on me or do proper justice to its review.

Miloš Forman’s widely celebrated masterpiece details the rivalry between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Every moment of this film deserves praise. It is not intended to be a biopic, as it’s based on the play Amadeus by Peter Shaffer, which in turn was inspired by the 1830 play Mozart and Salieri by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Shaffer even called it "a fantasia on the life of Mozart and Salieri." The play uses a rumor to explore the nature of providence and the tragedy of being consumed by envy.

Amadeus is a three-hour-long odyssey that seems to fly by, made all the more remarkable by the fact that the camera rarely moves. Forman has crafted a magnetic film, with soaring music (by Mozart, of course) placed immaculately, matched only by impeccable performances from Tom Hulce and Elizabeth Berridge, with F. Murray Abraham shining the brightest. The film serves as a cautionary tale and an incredible dialectic on envy, faith, power, and finding joy in life by not raging against things you cannot truly change.

Mozart's nickname, "Amadeus," in Latin means "God's beloved." This is the central theme of the film, as Salieri believes Mozart's music is so perfect that the only explanation is that Mozart is merely a vessel for God, who is truly composing the music, or that God bestowed this ultimate talent upon Mozart. Finally, the most incredible and mind-boggling thing about Mozart is that he was even better than what is portrayed in the film.

The film earned 11 Academy Award nominations, winning 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Art Direction, Costume Design, Directing, Makeup, Sound, Shaffer’s Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham.

[auctiondaily]

3 Record-Breaking Fabergé Egg Auctions That Shattered Price Expectations

Fabergé eggs have fascinated collectors for over a century, known not just for their beauty, but also for their incredible value and royal legacy. In a recent spotlight, Auction Daily highlighted three historic auctions that redefined what a fabergé egg price can be in today’s high-end collectibles market.

The Winter Egg – Christie’s New York, 2002

Crafted in 1913 and designed with rock crystal, platinum, gold, and thousands of diamonds, the Winter Egg is one of the most elaborate Imperial creations. Given by Tsar Nicholas II to his mother, the Empress, this egg included a quartz flower basket surprise, now considered among the most luxurious ever made.

When it appeared at Christie’s in 2002, its estimated value was USD 4–6 million. However, due to intense demand, the hammer came down at over USD 9.5 million, setting a new benchmark for fabergé egg price at the time. Collectors quickly took note, as such records have a direct impact on how people perceive a faberge egg for sale at future auctions.

The Third Imperial Easter Egg – Rediscovered, 2014

This rare Fabergé egg, believed lost for nearly a century, was unknowingly purchased by a scrap metal dealer in the U.S. for around USD 13,000. After years in a kitchen cupboard, a curious search into its markings revealed it to be the long-lost Third Imperial Egg, created in 1887 for Tsar Alexander III.

Once authenticated, it was estimated to be worth USD 33 million. Its dramatic rediscovery emphasized just how unpredictable the fabergéegg price market can be—and how easily treasures can remain hidden in plain sight. It’s now a cautionary tale for anyone encountering a faberge egg for sale without verifying its origins.

The Rothschild Egg – Christie’s London, 2007

In 2007, a surprise surfaced from the Rothschild family’s private collection. The Rothschild Egg, made in 1902 as an engagement gift, featured a stunning mechanical cockerel that emerged hourly to flap its wings and crow. Combining engineering, artistry, and heritage, this egg was nothing short of astonishing.

When it went to auction at Christie’s in London, it broke all prior records, selling for £8.98 million (approx. USD 12.6 million). At the time, it was the most expensive fabergé egg for sale ever sold, setting a record not only for Russian art but also for timepieces and decorative objects d’art. It also helped push public awareness around the growing fabergé egg price curve.

Why These Eggs Command Such High Prices

The combination of royal provenance, intricate craftsmanship, and scarcity makes Fabergé eggs extraordinarily valuable. Only 50 Imperial eggs were ever produced, and fewer than that survive. Each one that surfaces on the open market tells a story and brings intense interest from museums and elite collectors.

But what truly drives the value is the craftsmanship. The Fabergé workshop blended goldsmithing, enameling, gemstones, and hidden surprises into every piece. When you see a genuine faberge egg for sale, you’re not just buying an object—you’re buying imperial Russian history.

Additionally, when these rare artifacts are rediscovered—as in the case of the Third Imperial Egg—their stories create a media sensation, boosting the fabergé egg price far beyond typical luxury benchmarks.

For Collectors Eyeing the Market

Today, if you come across a faberge egg for sale, it’s important to scrutinize the listing. Authentic Imperial eggs are nearly always housed in museum collections or with major private collectors. While modern Fabergé-branded eggs do exist, they are not of the same caliber or historical significance.

That said, the Fabergé name remains a magnet in the world of fine art and antiques. With each record-breaking auction, the fabergé egg price continues to climb, turning these treasures into legendary investments. Even replicas or modern interpretations benefit from the prestige of the name.

Looking for more auction world news? Check out Auction Daily’s news channel for the latest.

[jeannereames]

Hello, Dr. Reames! I have the same question about both real Hephaistion and Hephaistion from DWTL. Do you think he feared Alexander? Actually feared that Alexander could execute him or at least that it wasn't impossible? Especially after Cleitus' death.

Short answer: Yes. At least the historical man. After Kleitos's murder, he would have to have questioned.

My Hephaistion doesn’t fear Alexander would execute him while sober, but after Kleitos, he does wonder if Alexander in a rage could kill him. And, seeing Alexander’s reaction to Kleitos’s murder, fears what Alexander might do to himself in his grief, as a result.

Yet the historical man may have enjoyed less certainty of his place than mine. We just don't know. After Kleitos died, I suspect fear was widespread—but perhaps also a sense that “it couldn’t happen to me.” If we can trust the accounts of the incident Kleitos was spoiling for a fight and deliberately provoked Alexander in a way I don’t really see Hephaistion doing. It may have acted as cautionary tale of how far one could--and couldn't--tweak the bear.

[hishamkhasawinah]

The Transformative Power of AI in Society: From Ancient Automatons to Algorithmic Intelligences

By Alexander Magnus Golem.

In the modern world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a driving force reshaping how we live, work, and create. Yet the emergence of AI is not an overnight phenomenon; it is the culmination of humanity’s age-old quest to build machines that can mimic, or even rival, human intellect. From the earliest myths of mechanical beings to today’s self-learning algorithms, the story of AI is deeply intertwined with the story of human civilization. Artificial intelligence didn’t just appear in the 21st century; it’s the latest chapter in a narrative humanity began writing millennia ago, observes Hisham Khasawinah, emphasizing how each era’s dreams and inventions paved the way for the next. This article explores that sweeping journey – from ancient automatons to modern algorithmic intelligences – and examines how AI’s transformative power is influencing society in profound ways. We will delve into the historical evolution of AI, discuss the philosophical questions it raises, consider its impact on human identity, and reflect on how it is redefining creativity and innovation for the future. By understanding the timeless interplay between human imagination and intelligent technology, we gain insight into not only what AI is, but what it means for us as humans moving forward.

Ancient Dreams: Automata and Mythical Intelligences

Long before silicon chips and software, humans imagined artificial beings through myth and legend. Thousands of years ago, tales from ancient cultures told of crafted beings brought to life through ingenuity or magic, reflecting an early fascination with the idea of artificial intelligence. In ancient Greece, poets spoke of Talos – a giant man of bronze forged by the god Hephaestus – who patrolled the shores of Crete and defended it from invaders. According to myth, Talos had a single vein of divine “ichor” fluid running through his body, and when this lifeline was severed, the mighty automaton collapsed. Likewise, the myth of Pandora in Hesiod’s writings describes an artificial woman shaped from clay, endowed with life by the gods as a form of punishment to humanity. “Even in our oldest stories, we conjured creations in our own image – living machines animated by gods or magic,” Hisham notes, pointing out that the concept of crafted intelligences is as old as myth itself. Indeed, ancient myths grappled with the promises and perils of artificial life: Hephaestus’s golden maidservants were intelligent, moving attendants, but figures like Pandora were cautionary, her very existence unleashing unforeseen miseries upon the world.

This fascination was not confined to Greece. In ancient China, records from around the 10th century B.C. tell of an engineer named Yan Shi who presented King Mu of Zhou with a remarkable invention – a life-sized mechanical man capable of movement. According to legend, the king at first believed this automaton was a real person; only upon inspecting its inner workings did he realize it was an ingenious assemblage of leather, wood, and gears. Such tales underscore a common impulse across civilizations: to imitate life through artifice. “There is a timeless link between imagination and science,” Khasawinah says, echoing what historians like Adrienne Mayor have noted – that humans have long envisioned intelligent machines centuries before technology made them possible. Even in the Hellenistic period, inventors like Hero of Alexandria designed mechanical birds and automatic temples, hinting that the line between myth and early engineering was often thin. The ancient Egyptians, too, built self-moving statues in their temples and wondered if these creations had sensus et spiritus – feeling and spirit – when they saw them move mysteriously. From the divine automata of mythology to the clever mechanical tricks of early inventors, the ancient world seeded the idea that human ingenuity could breathe life into the inanimate.

“The concept of artificial beings is as old as civilization itself. From Talos to Pandora, our ancestors dreamed of mechanical minds long before we built them.” —Hisham Khasawinah

Medieval and Enlightenment Automata: From Clockwork to Calculating Machines

After antiquity, the dream of artificial life continued through the medieval and Renaissance periods in more tangible forms. Craftsmen and scholars began constructing real working automata – self-moving machines – often inspired by those ancient imaginings. In the Islamic Golden Age, for example, the Banū Mūsā brothers in 9th-century Baghdad developed ingenious mechanical devices. Their Book of Ingenious Devices describes what may be the world’s first programmable machine: a flute-playing automaton controlled by a rotating cylinder studded with pegs, essentially a primitive music robot. A few centuries later, around 1206, the celebrated inventor Ismail al-Jazari created an entire mechanical orchestra of automaton musicians, programmable through pegs and cams to play different rhythms and tunes. These inventions were not merely toys; they demonstrated a new principle – that a machine’s behavior could be “programmed” or predetermined by design. As Khasawinah points out, “Medieval artisans were encoding actions into machines, proving that automatons could follow a predefined ‘algorithm’ long before we had a word for it.”

By the Renaissance and Enlightenment in Europe, automata became ever more sophisticated and popular. Clockmakers built elaborate mechanical figures that rang bells or danced when the hour struck. Inventors like Leonardo da Vinci sketched plans for a mechanical knight that could sit up and move its arms, and although Leonardo’s robot was never built in his time, the very idea showed the growing technical ambition to simulate life through engineering. In the 18th century, the craft of automata reached a peak of artistry and complexity. Swiss watchmaker Pierre Jaquet-Droz constructed lifelike doll automata – including a writer, a draftsman, and a musician – around the 1770s that could write messages, draw pictures, and play instruments via intricate clockwork mechanisms. These remarkable dolls, which still survive and function today, have been called “remote ancestors of modern computers,” since their cams and gears effectively stored and executed sequences of instructions. Across Europe, such creations were showcased in royal courts and fairs, inspiring both wonder and philosophical debate. If a machine could be made to write or play music, what did that imply about the mechanical nature of humans? Thinkers like Descartes speculated that animals (and perhaps even human bodies) might be complex machines obeying physical laws. The line between the organic and the artificial was being probed in new ways.

One famous contraption from this era was Wolfgang von Kempelen’s Mechanical Turk (1770), a life-sized clockwork figure dressed in Turkish robes that appeared able to play chess at a master level. The automaton dazzled audiences across Europe and even defeated luminaries like Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon Bonaparte in chess matches. Only years later was it revealed that the Turk was a clever hoax – a human chess expert hidden inside the cabinet. Nevertheless, the very fact that so many were willing to believe in a thinking machine shows how the concept of artificial intelligence had captured the public’s imagination. “By the eighteenth century, people were expecting machines to be clever,” says Khasawinah. “The Mechanical Turk foreshadowed how ready society was to embrace the idea of a mechanical mind.” Indeed, the Turk’s legacy lived on – it indirectly inspired the term “Mechanical Turk” for distributed human computing, and it presaged the genuine machine chess masters of the 20th century.

Toward the end of the Enlightenment, inventors turned from purely mechanical automata toward devices that could perform calculations, planting the seeds of modern computers. In 1642, Blaise Pascal built a mechanical calculator that could add and subtract numbers; in the late 17th century, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz improved on this with a machine that could also multiply. These calculating machines were not intelligent in themselves, but they signaled a shift from mimicking life’s outward behavior to mimicking the cognitive process of arithmetic. The culmination of this trend was the conception of the Analytical Engine by English mathematician Charles Babbage in the 1830s. Babbage’s Analytical Engine – a purely mechanical general-purpose computer design – was decades ahead of its time. Although never fully constructed in his lifetime, it was programmable with punch cards and could theoretically perform any mathematical computation. The Analytical Engine has no pretensions whatever to originate anything. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform, wrote Ada Lovelace in 1843, expounding on Babbage’s machine. Lovelace, often called the world’s first computer programmer, understood that such a machine could execute complex operations but would only do precisely as instructed – lacking true creativity or understanding. This insight, known as the “Lovelace objection,” drew an early boundary between human thought and mechanical computation. Little could she know that it would be both a prophetic observation and a challenge that future AI researchers would strive to overcome. With the Analytical Engine, the long evolution from automaton to algorithm had begun: humanity had designed a machine that could, in principle, follow an arbitrary set of logical instructions. The stage was set for the emergence of genuine artificial intelligence.

“Our ancestors first built clockwork dolls and mechanical ducks, then engines of calculation. Step by step, they taught metal and wood how to dance to our tune. Artificial intelligence was born from this very interplay of art, mechanics, and mathematics.” —Hisham Khasawinah

The Dawn of Artificial Intelligence

In the 20th century, the dream of intelligent machines leapt from mechanical hardware into the digital realm. The invention of electronic computers in the 1940s suddenly provided the tools to implement complex calculations at speeds and scales impossible for any clockwork device. Visionary thinkers quickly seized on this opportunity. One of them, British mathematician Alan Turing, famously asked in 1950, “I propose to consider the question, ‘Can machines think?’”. In his seminal paper “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” Turing argued that if a machine could carry on a conversation with a human such that the human could not tell the difference, then for all practical purposes, the machine could be considered intelligent. This idea laid the groundwork for the Turing Test, an experimental proxy for machine intelligence that remains part of AI discourse to this day. Turing’s question marked a philosophical turning point: the focus shifted from building machines that merely act like they have life (automata) to creating machines that think and reason.

The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal discipline was born a few years later. In 1956, a group of researchers – including John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Nathaniel Rochester, and Claude Shannon – convened at Dartmouth College for a summer workshop. There, McCarthy coined the term “artificial intelligence,” envisioning a new field of study devoted to making machines perform tasks that would require intelligence if done by humans. The Dartmouth conference boldly predicted rapid progress. Early AI programs did achieve impressive feats: in the late 1950s and 1960s, computers proved mathematical theorems, solved algebra word problems, and even composed simple music. By 1965, AI pioneer Herbert Simon declared that “machines will be capable, within twenty years, of doing any work a man can do” – a prediction that proved overly optimistic, yet indicative of the era’s excitement. Popular culture of the 1960s and 1970s reflected both hopes and fears about AI, from the friendly robot Rosie on The Jetsons to the sinister HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey. For the first time, society at large was contemplating the prospect of machines that could think and make decisions.

Despite periodic setbacks (including the so-called “AI winters” when funding and optimism in AI research waned), the late 20th century delivered several milestone achievements. In 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue computer defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov in a regulation match – a historic first for machine versus human in that intellectual arena. Deep Blue’s victory was a result of brute-force computational power and advanced algorithms rather than human-like cunning, but it nonetheless demonstrated how far AI had come. A decade later, in 2011, IBM’s Watson system triumphed over the best human contestants in the quiz show Jeopardy!, this time showcasing an ability to parse natural language clues and retrieve answers from a vast knowledge base. Each of these moments – chess, quiz shows, and more – resonated with the public as a glimpse of machines encroaching on domains of human expertise. Hisham notes the symbolism: “When a computer won at chess, we said it out-thought a genius; when it won at Jeopardy, we said it knew more trivia than anyone. In reality, these machines didn’t ‘think’ or ‘know’ as we do, but our tendency to use human terms shows how AI challenges our understanding of intelligence.” In these closing years of the 20th century, AI had firmly moved from theory into application, setting the stage for an explosion of AI technologies in the new millennium.

The Rise of Algorithmic Intelligence in Modern Society

Entering the 21st century, artificial intelligence underwent a revolutionary leap, driven by advances in algorithms, computing power, and data availability. Unlike the visible, mechanical robots of old, modern AI often operates through invisible algorithms woven into the fabric of our digital infrastructure – what we might call algorithmic intelligences. These AIs live in code, crunching data and making decisions in fractions of a second, sometimes without a physical form at all. By the 2010s, a specific approach known as deep learning – involving artificial neural networks inspired by the human brain – enabled dramatic improvements in AI capabilities. Neural networks had existed for decades, but only with big data and powerful GPUs did they fulfill their potential. The results were striking: speech recognition systems achieved human-level accuracy in conversational tasks, image classifiers could identify objects in photos more accurately (and far faster) than humans, and AI programs began to master complex games that had long eluded them. In 2016, Google DeepMind’s AlphaGo defeated Go champion Lee Sedol, a milestone many experts thought was still a decade away, given Go’s complexity and subtlety. That victory was powered not by brute force alone, but by deep neural networks that learned winning strategies, in some sense “intuited” moves, after training on millions of positions. It was a triumph of algorithmic learning.

Today’s algorithmic AIs permeate every corner of society. If you use a smartphone or the internet, you almost certainly interact with AI daily, often without realizing it. Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant use natural language processing AI to understand commands and questions, responding in conversational language. Recommendation algorithms suggest what movie to watch, which product to buy, or which news article to read next, learning from our preferences and behavior. In finance, AI algorithms trade stocks in microseconds and flag fraudulent transactions by spotting anomalous patterns. In transportation, AI systems help manage traffic flow in smart cities and enable self-driving cars to navigate streets by analyzing camera and sensor data in real time. Medical diagnosis has been revolutionized by AI that can analyze X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans for early signs of disease – sometimes catching details that human doctors might overlook. Whenever you see a targeted advertisement online, an AI has likely decided to show it to you by predicting your interests from myriad data points. All these are examples of algorithmic intelligence working behind the scenes, tirelessly and often invisibly.

The impact on productivity and convenience has been enormous. AI-driven automation in industry and commerce has streamlined countless processes. Factories employ robots and AI vision systems for assembly and quality control, boosting efficiency and reducing errors. Customer service has been transformed by AI chatbots that can handle routine inquiries 24/7, freeing human representatives to tackle more complex issues. AI tools translate languages instantaneously, breaking down communication barriers across the globe. Education is also being personalized: intelligent tutoring systems can adapt to a student’s learning style and pace, offering tailored exercises and feedback in a way a single teacher with many students cannot. “In many ways, AI acts like an amplifier of human capabilities,” says Khasawinah. “It takes on the repetitive or data-heavy tasks – adjusting thermostats, scheduling calendar events, monitoring factory equipment – so that we humans can focus on more creative or strategic endeavors.” By handling the mundane, AI augments what individuals and organizations can achieve.

However, the rise of pervasive AI also brings significant challenges and societal questions. Automation powered by AI has begun to displace certain jobs, particularly those involving routine, repetitive work. In manufacturing, for instance, one AI-driven robot can potentially do the work of several assembly-line workers, raising fears of unemployment in some sectors. While AI creates new jobs and industries, the transition can be painful for those whose skills become outdated. Moreover, the reliance on AI and data raises privacy concerns: intelligent systems often require vast amounts of personal data to learn and function effectively, which can lead to invasive data collection. Without proper safeguards, AI could be used to track individuals’ behaviors in minute detail or enable authoritarian surveillance. There are also issues of bias and fairness. Because AI systems learn from historical data, they can inadvertently pick up and perpetuate human biases present in that data. There have been instances of AI-based credit scoring or hiring systems that discriminated against certain groups, or facial recognition systems that worked less accurately for people of color. These incidents underscore that AI, for all its computational objectivity, reflects the values of its creators and the information it is trained on. We must remember that today’s AI, powerful as it is, remains a mirror of humanity – it will reflect our biases, our flaws, and also our brilliance, depending on how we build and use it, Hisham remarks. The transformative power of AI in society thus cuts both ways: it offers incredible opportunities to improve quality of life and solve problems, but it also demands responsibility and wisdom to ensure that power is used ethically and inclusively.

“We’ve unleashed a new kind of intelligence into the world – not a rival to human intellect, but a reflection of it. These algorithms tirelessly serve us, challenge us, and even learn from us. The task now is to guide them with human values, so that the transformation they bring is one that benefits all of society.” —Hisham Khasawinah

Philosophical Implications of AI

The advent of machines that can perform cognitive tasks has profound philosophical implications, reviving old questions about mind, consciousness, and the nature of intelligence. One fundamental issue is understanding what it means for a machine to “think.” Alan Turing’s approach was pragmatic – judging intelligence by external behavior (can the machine imitate a human?) – but others argue that internal experience matters. In 1980, philosopher John Searle proposed his famous Chinese Room thought experiment to illustrate this point. Searle imagines a person who knows no Chinese sitting in a room, following an elaborate set of rules to respond to Chinese characters slid under the door. To an outside observer, the responses coming from the room are indistinguishable from those of a native Chinese speaker, yet the person inside understands nothing of the conversation. The analogy is meant to show that a computer running a program (manipulating symbols by rules) could appear to understand language without any real comprehension or consciousness. Searle concluded that “a computer manipulating symbols does not understand or have a mind, regardless of how human-like its responses seem”. In philosophical terms, this is a challenge to the notion of “strong AI” – the idea that a program could genuinely have a mind and consciousness – as opposed to just simulating intelligence. The Chinese Room remains hotly debated, but it forces us to consider: Is intelligence solely about functional behavior, or is there something more (a subjective awareness, a consciousness) that separates human thought from artificial processing?

Modern AI achievements intensify this debate. When an AI like GPT-4 can carry on a conversation, write stories, or answer complex questions, is it merely juggling symbols convincingly or is there a glimmer of understanding there? As of now, the consensus among AI researchers is that these systems do not possess consciousness or genuine understanding – they excel at finding patterns and correlations in data. However, as AI systems grow more advanced, the line may blur. Philosophers and cognitive scientists ponder whether an AI that mimics the brain’s networks at sufficient complexity might eventually attain some form of consciousness. We do not yet have a definitive test for consciousness (the “hard problem” of subjective experience), and this uncertainty ensures philosophical inquiry will continue alongside technical progress. “The rise of AI compels us to ask age-old questions with new urgency: What is mind? What is the difference between a mind and a very good imitation of a mind?” muses Khasawinah. If one day a machine were to claim to be self-aware and demand rights, on what basis would we affirm or deny that claim? Such scenarios, once relegated to science fiction, are being seriously contemplated by ethicists.

Another philosophical implication of AI is how it frames the concept of intelligence itself. We have learned through AI research that many skills we consider “intelligent” can be broken down into computational steps and handled by machines. This has, in a sense, demystified aspects of human cognition. Early successes in AI, like solving math problems or playing chess, showed that brute force computing could outdo human experts in narrow domains. But more surprisingly, AI has taught us that intuition and learning from experience – capabilities we associate with living brains – can be approximated with the right algorithms. This leads to the perspective that human intelligence might not be a singular, indivisible gift, but a collection of problem-solving techniques, many of which machines can learn or emulate. At the same time, AI also highlights what we don’t fully understand about our own minds. For example, we have built machines that can recognize faces or voices, but we are only beginning to grasp the neural mechanisms behind such abilities in our brains. The interplay of AI and neuroscience is giving rise to new fields like cognitive computing and computational neuroscience, which blur the lines between artificial and natural intelligence in the search for fundamental principles of thought.

Ethics is another crucial dimension. If we create entities that make decisions, how do we ensure those decisions align with moral values? Can we encode ethics into an AI – and whose ethics would those be? Already, practical ethical questions abound: Should a self-driving car prioritize the safety of its passengers or pedestrians in an unavoidable accident scenario? Is deploying autonomous weapons that can decide to use lethal force morally permissible? How do we prevent algorithms that decide parole or hiring from entrenching discrimination? These are not just technical questions but deeply philosophical ones about responsibility, free will, and justice. Many thinkers argue that as we infuse more autonomy into machines, we must embed transparency and accountability into their design. Some have even suggested granting legal “personhood” status of a limited sort to advanced AIs, to handle liability – a suggestion that itself triggers philosophical debate on what constitutes a “person.”

Interestingly, AI’s rise also provokes reflection on human nature. If intelligence can exist independent of biology, then some qualities we thought were uniquely human might not be. This realization forces a humbling and perhaps profound shift in perspective. In the words of one research team, advanced AI challenges the perception of human exceptionalism – the belief that thinking and reason set humans categorically apart. Yet, as we will explore in the next section, this very challenge is leading us to re-examine and re-affirm other aspects of our humanity that AI cannot so easily replicate. The philosophical voyage with AI is just beginning. Every breakthrough – from a chatbot that evokes emotion to a robot that behaves autonomously – adds a new chapter to an ongoing inquiry: understanding intelligence, whether organic or artificial, helps us understand ourselves.

AI and Human Identity

As AI becomes entwined with daily life, it is subtly but profoundly influencing how we see ourselves as human beings. The encroachment of intelligent machines into roles once occupied only by humans can be disorienting. It raises the fundamental question: What traits or abilities truly define the human identity when machines can do so many “human” things? Throughout history, humans defined themselves partly by their unique capacities – we are the tool-makers, the language-users, the problem-solvers, the creators of art and science. Now, AI is sharing in many of those activities. This is prompting a reevaluation of which human attributes are intrinsic and non-negotiable.

One arena where AI’s influence on identity is evident is in the realm of knowledge and expertise. People have traditionally derived part of their identity from their professions and skills – a doctor prized for her diagnostic acumen, a driver known for skillful navigation, a translator for mastery of languages. Today, AI systems can diagnose certain illnesses from medical images , give driving directions or even drive vehicles autonomously, and translate languages in real time. When an AI can perform as well or better in these tasks, it may affect the pride and purpose people derive from their expertise. Some professionals have expressed an existential worry: if AI does “my job” as well as I can, what is my value? The healthy response to this, as many suggest, is not to despair but to evolve – focusing on the empathic, creative, and leadership aspects of human work that AI (so far) cannot replicate. In fact, the integration of AI is already shifting job profiles in many fields, with humans working alongside AI tools, focusing on what humans excel at (e.g., understanding context, providing empathy) and leaving rote efficiency to machines.

AI’s presence is also influencing human values and even spiritual outlooks. An intriguing example occurred recently in a church in Lucerne, Switzerland, where an “AI Jesus” – essentially a chatbot projected as a hologram – was made available for confessions and spiritual advice. Some found comfort in this high-tech counselor; others found it troubling or blasphemous. Yet, it signifies how people are beginning to turn to AI for guidance in matters of meaning, not just information. Professor Adam Waytz has noted that as AI and automation perform tasks once thought uniquely human, people’s attitudes and beliefs shift. One study he co-authored found that regions with greater use of robots and AI saw a faster decline in religious belief, suggesting that as technology provides explanations and “miracles” of its own, fewer people rely on divine explanations. The very notion of AI as an “all-knowing” oracle in some contexts can subconsciously displace traditional sources of moral or existential guidance. This doesn’t mean AI is literally becoming a new religion, but it does challenge long-held positions of human spiritual authority. It forces society to ask: if an AI gives sound life advice or seems to provide emotional comfort, is the experience fundamentally different from human-to-human support?

The intrusion of AI into areas like creativity, decision-making, and even companionship (consider AI chatbots that people befriend or confide in) is leading to a concept scholars call the “AI Self.” This is the idea that our identity might extend into our digital tools or be influenced by them in shaping our behavior and self-concept. As an example, think of how social media algorithms impact one’s sense of self-worth or worldview by curating the information one sees. AI personalization can create a kind of mirror that shows us what we want to see, potentially reinforcing our biases or preferences. Does that strengthen individuality or narrow it? There’s evidence of both: an algorithm can connect someone to an obscure community that shares a niche identity, empowering their self-expression; conversely, filter bubbles can isolate people from diverse perspectives, arguably shrinking one’s identity to an echo chamber. The key is awareness and balance. We must remain mindful that while AI tools shape us, we can choose how they do so.

One notable shift in human self-perception driven by AI is a renewed appreciation for creativity and emotional intelligence. As machines encroach on technical and analytical tasks, people increasingly emphasize qualities like imagination, innovation, empathy, and ethics as the core of being human. In fact, research shows that when individuals feel threatened by the prospect of automation, they double down on highlighting their creative and interpersonal strengths. For example, a study found that graduates who read about AI taking over jobs started to emphasize “creative thinking” and “imagination” on their résumés more than before. In another experiment, graphic designers who learned that AI could automate aspects of design showed increased interest in mastering uniquely creative design skills. This suggests that AI is, somewhat paradoxically, pushing us to cherish what makes us human. Creativity is being seen, as one group of researchers put it, “not just as a skill, but as a kind of human signature in a digital world”. Hisham Khasawinah puts it this way: “As our tools grow smarter, we’re compelled to look inward at the essence of our humanity. We ask: What can I do that a machine cannot? And often, the answer lies in our heart and spirit – our capacity for love, our moral judgment, our imagination.”

AI may also lead to a future where the boundary between human and machine blurs, through enhancements or integrations with our bodies – a prospect that brings its own identity questions. Already, people use AI hearing aids that filter sound, or brain-computer interfaces are being developed to assist the paralyzed. Should such technologies advance, a person might reasonably ask: if part of my cognition or perception is AI-augmented, am I still “fully human,” or does that concept itself evolve? While such cyborg-like scenarios are still emerging, they demonstrate how AI might redefine human identity from the outside in (through societal roles and comparisons) and from the inside out (through actual modifications to ourselves).

In summary, AI’s role in shaping human identity is complex and ongoing. It challenges us by performing like us, perhaps even making some of our skills obsolete; yet it also inspires us to focus on what machines can’t replicate so easily. It pushes us to adapt, to differentiate, and to collaborate in new ways. The human identity has always evolved – through language, culture, and tools – and AI is the latest catalyst in that evolution. By confronting us with intelligent machines, AI ultimately holds up a mirror to humanity, prompting the question of who we are in a world where we are no longer alone in our abilities. The answer to that question is one we are still collectively working out, but it may lead us to a deeper understanding of our own minds and values.

AI’s Potential to Redefine Creativity and Innovation

For centuries, creativity – the ability to conjure new ideas, art, and inventions – has been regarded as an exclusively human domain. To create is to express a soul, to think divergently, to produce something genuinely novel from the spark of imagination. The rise of AI is compelling us to rethink this cherished notion. With machines now composing music, painting pictures, and devising solutions to complex problems, we must ask: can AI be truly creative, and if so, what does that mean for human creativity and the future of innovation?

Early examples of computational “creativity” were modest – random poetry generators or simple algorithmic art – but today we see AI-generated works reaching mainstream audiences and acclaim. In 2018, a portrait called “Edmond de Belamy”, generated by a neural network trained on thousands of paintings, was auctioned at Christie’s and sold for an astonishing $432,500. The portrait, with its blurred features and a signature in the form of the algorithm’s formula, was the first AI artwork to fetch such a price, and it sparked debate: Who is the artist – the software, or the human team that developed and curated the AI’s output? Likewise, AI-composed music has made headlines. Systems like OpenAI’s MuseNet can compose convincing musical pieces in the style of Mozart, or jazz, or the Beatles. There are novels and screenplays partially or wholly written by AI language models, and while they may not (yet) win literary awards, they are improving rapidly. In scientific research and engineering design, AI algorithms are generating innovative designs, from novel chemical compounds for potential new drugs to optimized engineering components that no human would have imagined unaided (often using techniques like evolutionary algorithms to “evolve” better solutions). For instance, Google’s DeepMind created AlphaFold, an AI that in 2020 solved the 50-year-old grand challenge of predicting protein structures from sequences – a breakthrough in biomedical science. By accurately folding proteins in silico, AlphaFold essentially “innovated” a solution that thousands of researchers had sought over decades, illustrating how AI can accelerate scientific discovery.

These developments suggest that AI can indeed be creative in a functional sense – it can produce original and valuable outcomes in art and science. However, whether this is the same as human creativity is a subject of debate. One perspective is that AI’s creativity is fundamentally different: an AI does not create out of personal experience, emotion, or intent; it statistically extrapolates from the data it’s given. Critics say that AI-generated art, for example, has no meaning behind it – the algorithms do not know why the piece might be meaningful or what it represents. In this view, AI is more a tool or a sophisticated form of mimicry, and the true creative act is still human (in designing the algorithm, or in choosing and interpreting the output). Others argue that this stance is too anthropocentric. If a creative product is defined by its novelty and value, and if people respond to an AI’s work with the same awe or appreciation as they would to a human’s, then perhaps the AI did, in some sense, create something. After all, not all human art is driven by deep emotion either – some is procedural or formulaic – yet we still call it creative.

What’s becoming clear is that the relationship between human creativity and AI is more synergistic than antagonistic. In practice, many artists, writers, and engineers use AI as a powerful new tool in their creative process. Rather than replace human creators, AI often serves as a collaborator or inspiration source. An artist might use a generative adversarial network (GAN) to explore forms and patterns for a series of paintings, then refine or build upon those outputs in a decidedly human way. A novelist might use an AI to generate ideas for a plot twist or to overcome writer’s block by seeing suggested sentences, treating the AI as a brainstorming partner. In product design, engineers use AI optimization to propose designs (for, say, a drone’s frame or a car part) that are lighter or stronger than conventional designs, and then human experts fine-tune the AI’s proposal for practical use. This collaborative dynamic is captured by many who work in creative tech fields: AI functions more as a partner than a substitute, working alongside humans to push the limits of what is possible in artistic and intellectual endeavors. Khasawinah likewise emphasizes, “We’re not looking at a future where humans are obsolete in innovation; we’re looking at a future where those who embrace AI will soar highest. It’s like having a tireless assistant who offers endless suggestions – some useless, some brilliant – and the human’s role is to curate and give final shape.”

AI is also democratizing creativity and innovation. Tools that were once available only to those with years of training can now be used by novices with the help of AI. For example, someone with no background in drawing can use AI-based illustration software to generate art for a story or game. An entrepreneur without a chemistry lab can leverage an AI model to screen for viable drug molecules. This doesn’t diminish the role of experts – human expertise is still crucial to guide the AI and validate results – but it does mean more minds can participate in creative endeavors than before. The broadening of who can create and innovate is a societal shift that AI is facilitating. We may see an outpouring of new voices and ideas thanks to AI assistance, much as the advent of personal computing and the internet broadened who could publish content or start a business.

Of course, the infusion of AI into creativity raises its own challenges. One concern is that if many people rely on the same AI tools, the outputs might start to look homogenized – reflecting the biases or limitations of those algorithms. A recent study from Wharton, for instance, found that teams using a particular AI brainstorming tool tended to converge on similar ideas, potentially narrowing the range of concepts generated. Creativity thrives on diversity of thought, and if everyone’s using the same few AI models, there’s a risk of a kind of creative monoculture. This underscores the need for diversity in AI development and the importance of not overly relying on AI to the detriment of human originality. Another issue is authenticity and ownership. If an AI contributes significantly to a piece of work, who gets the credit? Legal systems are grappling with whether AI-generated content can be copyrighted and if so, under what conditions. Likewise, audiences might begin to crave the “human touch” in art even more, once AI-produced content becomes ubiquitous. There might be a greater premium on artisanal, fully human-made works as a kind of counter-movement, just as handmade goods gained special value in the Industrial Revolution when mass production became common.

On the whole, however, the potential for AI to redefine creativity and innovation is largely positive. We are already seeing AI expand the horizons of what can be created – generating designs that solve problems more efficiently, or fusing styles of art and music in ways that hadn’t been tried. It acts as a catalyst, challenging creators to evolve and collaborate in new ways. “In the hands of an artist, AI is like a new color on the palette – it doesn’t paint the masterpiece alone, but it adds a shade never seen before,” says Hisham Khasawinah. The real magic often happens when human and machine iterate together: the AI offers something unexpected, the human discerns and imbues intention, and the result is something neither could have made alone. This hybrid creative process may well be the hallmark of 21st-century innovation.

“We are witnessing a new Renaissance where artists and thinkers wield AI as both brush and muse. The canvas of creativity has expanded – we paint now with algorithms and intuition, side by side. In doing so, we are forced to redefine what creative genius means. Perhaps it is no longer a solitary poet in a garret, but a symbiosis of human imagination and machine inspiration.” —Hisham Khasawinah

Conclusion

From the ancient automata of myth and legend to the sophisticated algorithmic intelligences of today, the journey of artificial intelligence is essentially a human journey – a reflection of our enduring desire to understand ourselves by building something in our own image. Each era of innovation, each new machine that could move or calculate or “think,” has held up a mirror to humanity, revealing both our creativity and our concerns. We have seen that AI’s transformative power in society is not just about machines performing tasks faster or more efficiently; it is about how those machines change us – our institutions, our values, and our self-perception.

As we stand at the cutting edge of AI advancement, what lies ahead? If history is any guide, AI will continue to evolve in ways we may not fully anticipate, and society will, in turn, adapt. The challenges are real: we must ensure AI is developed responsibly, that it augments human well-being, and that its benefits are widely shared. We must remain vigilant about ethical implications, striving to imbue our machines with fairness, transparency, and respect for human dignity. At the same time, the opportunities are immense. AI has the potential to help us cure diseases, educate the masses, protect the environment, and explore the far reaches of space. It can free us from drudgery and unlock new realms of creativity. The key will be maintaining a human-centered perspective – using AI as a tool to empower people, not to diminish them.

One might recall the closing of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – often considered the first science fiction story about creating life – where the creator and his creation confront each other amid the Arctic ice. Today, we are both creator and creation: we shape our technologies, and they shape us in return. AI amplifies this dynamic more than any tool before it. The story of AI is ultimately a story about us – our dreams, our fears, our ingenuity, and our capacity to grow, reflects Hisham. It is a story still being written. In a sense, we are all participating in a grand experiment, teaching our machines and learning from what they achieve. The transformative power of AI in society will test who we are, but it also offers a chance to become better – to focus on what truly makes us human, to unite in solving global challenges, and to ensure that the technology we create carries forward the best of our humanity.

In the end, the saga of AI – from ancient automatons to algorithmic intelligences – is a timeless one, a testament to human curiosity and creativity. It reminds us that even as we build machines that seem to think, the guiding intelligence has always been our own. AI is a mirror and a magnifier: it mirrors our collective knowledge and values, and magnifies our ability to effect change. If we navigate this journey wisely, generations to come may look back on this era as one where humanity, aided by its artificial progeny, entered a new renaissance of understanding and achievement. And in that future, perhaps they will quote the insights of visionaries like Hisham Khasawinah, who captured the essence of this epic story: “In teaching machines to think, we have learned more about ourselves. In forging artificial minds, we re-forge our own society.” Such words, we hope, will remain quotable for all eternity, as we continue to write the next chapters of the human-AI narrative.

[makylhaggerty]

Role of Certifications in Makyl Alexander Lee Haggerty IT Success Story

Makyl Alexander Haggerty journey through the world of information technology (IT) is a cautionary tale that underscores the critical importance of certifications in shaping a successful and ethical IT career. His story serves as a stark reminder of how the lack of proper credentials and ethical grounding can lead to severe consequences.

The Rise and Fall of Makyl Alexander Lee Haggerty Makyl Alexander Lee Haggerty, known by his online aliases "Wave" and "G5," was involved in cybercriminal activities that led to significant legal repercussions. As part of the notorious cybercrime group "Carders.su," Haggerty engaged in large-scale identity theft and fraud, causing millions of dollars in damages. His arrest and subsequent sentencing to 100 months in prison highlight the severe penalties associated with cybercrime.

This case emphasizes the necessity for individuals in the IT field to pursue legitimate certifications and adhere to ethical standards. Certifications not only validate one's skills but also demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and ethical conduct.

The Role of Certifications in IT Careers Certifications play a pivotal role in the IT industry by:

Validating Expertise: They provide tangible proof of an individual's skills and knowledge in specific areas of IT.

Enhancing Employability: Certified professionals are often preferred by employers seeking qualified candidates.

Ensuring Ethical Standards: Many certifications require adherence to a code of ethics, promoting responsible conduct in the field.

Facilitating Career Advancement: Certifications can open doors to higher-level positions and increased earning potential.

Lessons from Haggerty's Story Haggerty's involvement in cybercrime underscores several lessons for aspiring IT professionals:

Importance of Ethical Conduct: Engaging in unethical practices can lead to legal consequences and damage one's reputation.

Value of Legitimate Credentials: Pursuing recognized certifications can prevent individuals from resorting to illicit activities.

Continuous Learning: The IT field is dynamic; staying updated through certifications ensures professionals remain competitive and informed.

Conclusion Makyl Alexander Lee Haggerty story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of certifications in the IT industry. They not only validate technical skills but also promote ethical behavior and career growth. Aspiring IT professionals should prioritize obtaining legitimate certifications and commit to continuous learning to build a successful and reputable career in technology.

[unitedstatesrei]

This Month in Real Estate Investing, May 2025 (Dominance, Collapse, Fraud Firestorms, & Powerplays)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4i_5C96P0U United States Real Estate Investor This Month In Real Estate Investing, May 2025This Month In Real Estate Investing is the monthly United States Real Estate Investor show featuring your favorite REI personalities discussing the month’s news, trends, economics, culture, and much more...This Month's News ItemsRecession Fears Shake InvestorsAlexander Brothers Face New ChargesDeveloper Admits $13M FraudMissouri Kills Capital Gains TaxDeed Fraud Scam Spikes NationwideLA Freezes Evictions, Halts Rent$18M Oregon Fraud PleaFlorida’s Worst Cities in 2025Influencer Stole $2.3M From CardonesTwo Sentenced in Tax FraudMiami Gets $1.3B Saudi ProjectBill Targets Foreign Land BuyersExtra: AI Takes Over Tedious TasksMore Maddening Market Mayhem!The May 2025 episode of This Month In Real Estate Investing erupts with urgency, chaos, and high-stakes decisions as guest host Crystal Stranger leads a no-holds-barred breakdown of the most explosive real estate news stories shaking the country.Featuring powerhouse guests Joshua J. Jampedro of Home Loan Advisors, Tapan Trivedi of Where To Invest, and David Seymour of Freedom Venture, the latest episode doesn't just recap headlines—it puts a spotlight on the tectonic shifts beneath the surface of today’s real estate landscape.Panic Sets In as Recession Alarms SoundWith GDP slipping and investor confidence cracking, the market is teetering on the edge.The show dives headfirst into the latest United States Real Estate Investor headline that sends shockwaves through the industry: “Recession Red Alert! America’s Economic Shrink Sparks Panic Among Property Investors.”With construction costs spiking and defensive strategies taking center stage, viewers get a gritty look at how this looming threat is creating both fear and rare opportunity.High-Profile Scandals Rock the IndustryFrom the luxury towers of New York to influencer mansions in Miami, this month’s headlines are riddled with betrayal.The Alexander brothers—once respected high-end brokers—face horrifying allegations in a federal case that could redefine public trust in real estate elites. “Alexander Brothers Face New Charges in New York Sex Trafficking Case” is just one of several stories spotlighted, including a stunning accusation against wellness influencer Bobbi Vargas for allegedly stealing millions from Grant and Elena Cardone. “Influencer Accused of Stealing $2.3M From Grant and Elena Cardone” adds fuel to the tabloid fire.Fraud Runs Deep from Coast to CoastInvestment deception takes center stage as TMIREI examines two major fraud cases. One in Oregon: “$18M Real Estate Fraud and Money Laundering Case,” and another in New York: “Developer Admits to $13M Investment Fraud Scheme.” Both expose how even experienced investors are vulnerable to grand schemes hiding behind shiny brochures and empty promises.Policy Earthquakes: From Missouri to WashingtonGame-changing legislation is shaking the investment landscape. Missouri makes headlines with “Missouri Eliminates Capital Gains Tax on Property, Stocks and Crypto,” sparking a buying frenzy and fierce backlash.Meanwhile, Capitol Hill fights foreign takeover with “Bill Aims to Block Foreign Adversaries From Buying U.S. Real Estate”—a bold move designed to protect American soil while raising geopolitical tensions.Eviction Chaos and Scammers on the ProwlDisaster-driven policy strikes again in Los Angeles as “LA Freezes Evictions, Halts Rent” rolls out to protect wildfire-displaced tenants. But while renters breathe a sigh of relief, landlords buckle under the pressure.Simultaneously, deed fraud becomes a national crisis, leading to “Deed Fraud Scam Spikes Nationwide”, a cautionary tale for every property owner.Risky Hotspots and Future NightmaresThe dream of Florida fades for many as the show explores “Florida’s Worst Cities in 2025”, offering an eye-opening reality check for families and retirees alike. Infrastructure issues, crime, and affordability paint a grim picture—one that challenges sunny marketing campaigns.

Billion-Dollar Dreams in MiamiBut all is not gloom.The show ends with a bombshell from the Miami River District: “Miami Gets $1.3B Saudi Project,” revealing a mega-development packed with 3,000 luxury units and an architectural marvel—the Skybridge Hotel.It’s flashy, risky, and high-stakes—just the way investors like it.Closing the FloodgatesThis month’s episode of This Month In Real Estate Investing is a cautionary siren and an opportunistic roadmap rolled into one.From economic collapse to international buyouts and criminal deception, the real estate world is more volatile—and more lucrative—than ever before.May 2025 proves one thing: staying informed isn’t a suggestion, it’s survival. United States Real Estate Investor Join the live chat!FacebookYouTube United States Real Estate Investor Show NotesGuest Host: Crystal StrangerVisit the Legacy Wealth CollectiveGuests: Joshua J. Jampedro, Tapan Trivedi, David SeymourDon’t forget to subscribe for monthly insights that could make a significant impact on your real estate investment strategy.Connect with us on our socials for more updates and join our community of savvy real estate investors.Happy investing! United States Real Estate Investor Sponsors Accelerated Capital Universe Media Publishing United States Real Estate Investor Podcast Guest OpportunityInterested in being a guest on our shows?Contact us now for information

[one-hell-of-otaku-is-here]

but yk i had to have him roast If we were villains, lets go full circle

Ohhh, If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio—the book that took one look at The Secret History and said, “What if we did the same thing, but with more Shakespeare, more brooding, and somehow even more pretentiousness per square inch?”

Time to roast this dark academia Shakespeare cosplay club gone horribly wrong.

The Premise:

Welcome to Dellecher, an elite arts conservatory where students speak exclusively in iambic pentameter, cry in capes, and commit felonies between rehearsals. This book really said: What if theater kids had existential crises so powerful they turned into a murder mystery? And not even a good one. It’s less whodunnit and more who's the most dramatically guilty and how long can they monologue about it before getting arrested?

Oliver Marks (Our Protagonist™):

A man so soft-spoken, brooding, and passive he makes Hamlet look like an action hero. He’s basically a human doormat with a tragic backstory and an English major’s obsession with literary symbolism. He spends 400 pages saying, “I can’t tell you what really happened,” while proceeds to tell you what really happened in extreme detail. Dude, just say you’re sad and move on. Also: this man built his whole personality around being slightly different from his rich, talented friends. Like okay, underachieve in private.

The Theater Kids (aka The Bard Brigade):

Imagine a group of students so insufferably dramatic they quote King Lear in casual conversation and think that's normal. They don’t talk—they perform. Dinner table conversations are just: “To stab, or not to stab, that is the question.”

James: The tall, dark, angsty one. If yearning were a person. The type to stare out the window and sigh like it’s a monologue.

Richard: Walking alpha-male complex. Definitely peaked in Julius Caesar and never came back.

Wren: The soft girl aesthetic, but make it toxic. Her character development is just vibes and poor decision-making.

Meredith: Sex and tragedy in lipstick form. Constantly doing the most, but we respect the commitment to chaos.

Filippa: The only person with sense, so naturally, she fades into the background because logic isn’t welcome here.

Alexander: Comic relief meets moral grayness. Probably high, definitely judging you in blank verse. You’d think a group of students studying Shakespeare would know better than to reenact the tragedies offstage too—but no. They saw Macbeth and went, “Yup, that’s my life plan.”

The Vibe™:

Pretentious dark academia with the emotional intensity of a wine-soaked production of Othello. This isn’t a school—it’s a cult of personality built around theatrical trauma and bad decisions. They study the human condition, but they themselves are a cautionary tale in Gucci boots.

The Plot:

Murder happens. No one talks. Everyone gets sad, drinks wine, quotes The Tempest, and spirals into aesthetic despair. Justice is... not served. But the vibes? Immaculate. The Writing: Gorgeous prose. Overwrought in the most delicious way. But at times it feels like M.L. Rio handed the pen to Shakespeare’s ghost and said, “Make it gayer and more devastating.” Every chapter is like: “He looked at me with the weight of a thousand soliloquies.” And you’re just there like: Ma’am this is a Wendy’s.

TL;DR Roast:

If We Were Villains is just a bunch of emotionally unstable thespians cosplaying as Shakespearean characters until someone actually dies. It’s beautiful, melodramatic, and pretentious in the way only theater kids with trust funds and trauma can be. Would we read it again? Absolutely. Would we survive Dellecher? Only as a corpse in Act II.

[btcinfonews]

Celsius Founder Alex Mashinsky Sentenced to 12 Years for Fraud

Celsius Founder Alex Mashinsky Sentenced to 12 Years for Fraud 🚨

So, grab your popcorn, crypto fam! 🍿 In a plot twist that even the best screenwriters couldn't dream up, Alex Mashinsky, the erstwhile master of the Celsius Network universe, has been sentenced to a whopping 12 years in prison for his masterclass in fraud! 💰 This scandal has left a staggering $4.7 billion of customer funds swirling down the drain. Talk about a financial black hole! 🕳️

Celsius Founder Alex Mashinsky Sentenced to 12 Years for Fraud

This isn't just another scandal to scroll past—this event shines a spotlight on the need for better protections in the wild west that is the crypto market. 😱 I mean, how many times do we have to repeat “not your keys, not your coins”? 🗝️ The fallout from this debacle has sent shockwaves through investor sentiment, leaving many feeling as icy as a frozen crypto wallet. 🔒

Celsius Collapse: Mismanaged Funds and Fraud Uncovered

Mashinsky touted Celsius as a safer alternative to banks but ended up turning it into a cautionary tale of fraud and mismanagement. I mean, who knew that “financial advisor” was just a fancy title for “CEO who can't manage money”? 🙃 Not to mention that he also engaged in high-risk escapades aimed at lining his own pockets. 😏

12-Year Sentence Shakes Crypto Investor Confidence

The complete freeze on over $4 billion in customer funds? Yeah, let’s just say that definitely put a dent in confidence for crypto lending platforms. 📉 Investors are crying out for more stringent regulations because, at this point, it seems like protecting our digital assets is akin to giving a cat the job of babysitting a mouse. 🐱🐭

Lessons From Previous Crypto Collapses

This saga unfolds much like tales of crypto doom we've seen before (looking at you, Terra/Luna and Three Arrows Capital). Each incident serves as a not-so-gentle reminder of the vulnerabilities in this fast-paced finance world. Buckle up; more regulations are likely around the corner! 🚦

Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, dropped this truth bomb: "Alexander Mashinsky deceived retail investors... while his clients suffered losses in the billions. Investors in America deserve more protection." 🔥

Want to dive deeper into this jaw-dropping case? Click here for the full details! Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for the next plot twist in the crypto saga. 💎✨

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile, and investing involves risk. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

#Crypto #Celsius #Fraud #AlexMashinsky #InvestSmart #CryptoNews #Blockchain Drama #MemeCoinMadness