Meta Spiritual Newsletter: Deepak Speaks Out on Artificial Intelligence, its Relation to Human Consciousness, & Why the Rebellious Heart of Artists are More Valuable than Ever in the Age of Machines
Deepak Chopra's Thoughts on AI; Hollywood's AI Writer's Strike Resolved; U2's Sonic Brilliance with AI Art in Las Vegas; Warner Music Signs First AI Avatar, AI Recreates Burning Man 2023
Welcome to the first edition of the Meta Spiritual Newsletter! We'll explore how artificial intelligence and virtual worlds open portals to new dimensions of self-discovery and collective evolution. Through conversations with tech visionaries and spiritual practitioners, we’ll discuss the ethical implications of the digital frontier.
Can AI be Used Consciously? Deepak Chopra’s Thoughts of a Harmonious Future with Machines [Link]
I had the privilege to join a Live Zoom as Deepak Chopra offered intriguing insights into artificial intelligence (AI) and the world of art, consciousness, and human well-being. Chopra emphasized that, “While AI can simulate human imagination, it lacks the capacity for genuine creativity, as true creativity stems from awareness and presence.” In its current form, Chopra asserted that AI represents the “collective karma of humanity,” reflecting the historical and cultural mindsets encoded in the algorithms and data it processes.
Chopra's vision for the future involves harnessing the power of AI as a tool to enhance self-awareness and promote positive change. He believes that artists have a pivotal role to play in this endeavor by using AI to augment their imaginative capacities while remaining true to their unique ability to embrace contradiction, paradox, and ambiguity. By marrying AI's superintelligent capabilities with the creative spirit of artists, Chopra envisions a new narrative for humanity, one rooted in love in action, shared vision, and total well-being. His perspective highlights the transformative potential of technology when guided by a deeper understanding of the human soul, offering hope for a harmonious coexistence of humanity and AI in a more peaceful, sustainable, and joyful world. Below are a few quotes from our conversation that I enjoyed. To read my recap article of our conversation, click HERE.
Other News:
Time Magazine launches its “Top 100 Most Influential People in AI” [Link]
AI is officially Airbnb’s party pooper, who reduced partying by 55% in two years [Link]
The Las Vegas Exosphere: A Fusion of AI Art and U2's Sonic Brilliance [Link]: If you haven’t seen, U2 opened the new $2.3 Billion Exosphere in Las Vegas, with out of this reality visuals. The Exosphere is an AI-driven data sculpture on the most giant LED screen in the world. Construction is underway for the next Exosphere in London. In early September, renowned AI digital artist, Refik Anadol, showcased his "Machine Hallucinations: Sphere." Anadol's generative art piece utilized vast amounts of publicly available data and machine learning algorithms to create dynamic, multi-sensory abstractions, challenging traditional perceptions of art's canvas and pushing the boundaries of AI-infused creativity.
The US Copyright Office has ruled that AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted, raising questions about whether AI-generated art should be excluded from copyright protection. [Link]
From Pen to Pixel: Hollywood Writers' Strike Resolved, But Actors' Battle with AI Continues [Link]The Hollywood writers' strike has ended after nearly five months, with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and studios reaching an agreement that outlines limitations on AI use in writers' rooms. However, the actors' strike led by SAG-AFTRA remains unresolved, with concerns about AI's potential impact on creative work.
AI cannot be used to write or rewrite scripts, and AI-generated writing is not considered source material for writing credits.
Individual writers can choose to use AI tools, but companies cannot mandate their use.
Studios must inform writers if AI-generated materials are used in their work.
The WGA reserves the right to assert that exploiting writers' material to train AI is prohibited.
The contract emphasizes that union members do not consent to their work being used to train studios' AIs.
Spotify is introducing a Voice Translation pilot using AI [Link] to translate podcasts into various languages while maintaining the original podcaster's voice style. Notable podcasters like Dax Shepard and Lex Fridman are part of this initiative, expanding content accessibility across languages. This pilot aims to connect global audiences with diverse podcasts, with plans for future expansion based on feedback and demand.
Apple paid $5 Million for the rights to Sam Bankman-Fried’s life story, written by Michael Lewis, author of Money Ball and The Blind Side. [Link] The upcoming Super-Fraudster Saga reflects America's obsession with celebrity criminals and Hollywood’s desire to make a fortune telling their stories. For example, Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix series about the fake German heiress, Anna Delvey, who like, defrauded $275K from like, serious bank institutions, hotels, and like, the NY elite. Anna still managed to make $300k from a jail cell of her pencil drawings and NFT collection, “Reinventing Anna.” Meanwhile, SBF is complaining about non-vegan peanut butter sandwiches, a short supply of Adderall, and insufficient laptop battery life to prepare for trial. There is serious work to be done in our criminal justice system for the privileged vs. underprivileged.
Worth a Listen:
So you Want to be a Sorcerer in the Age of Mythic Powers? (The AI Episode) [Link]: from The Emerald Podcast. Listen to explore the transformative rise of Artificial Intelligence through a mythic lens, where AI's real-world powers mirror ancient legends of magic and wonder. Beyond regulations and ethics, delve into the deeper human desires driving AI development – a yearning for mystery, a return to powers beyond our control, and an unconscious quest for guidance and initiation. This fascinating journey, enriched with references from kung fu movies and sci-fi, unfolds to captivating music, making it a must-listen exploration of AI's profound impact on our world. This is my all-time favorite podcast, particularly the episode titled “The Revolution will not be Psychologized.”
High Strange Podcast by TenderfootTV [Link]: Prepare to have your skepticism lifted to new heights by Payne Lindsey's latest venture into the uncharted territory of UFOs, because "High Strange" is here to shatter the UFO stigma faster than a flying saucer through Earth's atmosphere. Yes, the man behind Up and Vanished and Radio Rental is now determined to solve the most enigmatic mystery of our time. In a daring twist, Lindsey leaves the tinfoil hat at the door, making it clear that he's here for serious business. From Navy pilots with mind-bending videos to the Pentagon admitting they're baffled, Lindsey aims to provide a "healthy conversation" about UFOs, which is just what we've all been waiting for. If you've been desperately longing for a podcast to finally answer the question, "Are aliens real?" - look no further.
Song of the Week: Va savoir pourquoi, Martin Leon, make sure you listen at 2:42 for an epic electric guitar riff with alien frequencies…
My List of the Most Absurd and Hilarious Happenings in Web3
McDonald’s Opens McNuggets Land in the Metaverse, but McWhy? [Link]
(Wait, will Hamburglar be there?)
Burning Man 2023 (Raining Man 2023) AI-Generated photos…
I’ve developed a recent obsession for really, really, bad AI-generated images. I feel like we are in the early days of YouTube and Ebaumsworld when friends would gather around the computer and watch videos for HOURS and laugh until we cried. (Why was “Star Wars Gangster Rap,” “Trogdoor,” Kelly buying “Shoes” and “Badger” so funny?) Now, we are using AI to create storyboards of ridiculous, comical scenarios, generating fake images with weird hands and body parts in absurd settings and situations. But how long will we be laughing in the playground of “The Mass Deepfake” until AI goes rogue on all of us? Hahahahahahahahelp …
Rumors from X (formerly Twitter) and social media made it seem like Burning Man 2023 attendees were doomed and would all starve to death, with Ebola outbreaks and the National Guard arriving in helicopters.
Below is an AI storyboard of the absurd rhetoric from the online social media frenzy about Raining Man 2023, which might actually be the next million-dollar movie idea… The AI prompt went something like this:
“Flooding at Burning Man 2023 -then there was an Ebola outbreak, Fema arrived with food rations, which made the Ebola spread faster since everyone was eating out of troughs. Things got violent, and people started eating one another. The only solution was to burn everything.”
The AI Invasion of Music: Warner Music Signs First AI Avatar to its Record Label, [Link]:
Warner Music's latest signing has sent shockwaves through the music industry, and it's not because of her incredible vocal range or groundbreaking lyrics. Noonoouri, the world's first AI virtual pop singer and Instagram influencer, has made her grand debut with the track "Dominoes." Yes, you read that correctly; an Instagram avatar has just secured a record deal with a major label. Move over, Adele and Beyoncé! What sets Noonoouri apart from other artists? Well, for starters, she doesn't actually exist in the real world. She's just a digital entity living her best life on the internet with over 400K followers. (But are her followers even real humans? Or just a bunch of her bot besties?) Forget about the struggles of aging, fatigue, and sleep that plague mere mortal human musicians. She's the pop sensation that never has to worry about a bad hair day or experience the exhaustion and thrill of human touring.
In conclusion, Warner Music's signing of Noonoouri is a testament to the direction our society is headed—a place where real human talent takes a backseat to digital avatars, AI-generated voices, and SEO marketing algorithms. It’s like, the next best thing to Tamagotchis! So, here's to the future of music, where authenticity is just a thing of the past, and Noonoouri is the star we never knew we needed!
AI was asked to generate Harry Potter with a Jamaican twist…
Imagine Harry, Ron, and Hermione sipping on coconut rum potions, casting spells to the sweet rhythms of reggae, and defending Hogwarts with the power of 'irie' vibes. Harry's got a new groove, and it's pure 'ting'!
ChatGPT wrote a fake bible verse about God loving trans people that started a controversial debate on Reddit [Link]:
As if there isn’t enough controversy, war, and genocide over the literal translation, validity, and truth about stories in the Bible, enter ChatGPT to the rescue! With its vast linguistic prowess, ChatGPT is here to help untangle the biblical babble and set those worried Christians on the path to enlightenment. Because there are currently over 2,877 versions of the Bible in over 1,918 languages, praise God for ChatGPT to finally get to the bottom of what this Jesus guy was really talking about. The real question becomes, “Can robots who don’t have souls and a heartless non-sentient ChatGPT really lead someone to Christ?” The debate is on, and souls are at stake!
Reddit
Ask_Jesus ChatBot [Link]:
We all knew that Jesus was coming back, but not in the form of a virtual avatar. Now, we can ask Jesus anything, 24/7! AI Jesus’ thousands of Twitch followers, or should I say disciples, ask LIVE questions about important topics, like Jesus’ thoughts on cheese, whether or not french fries can replace bread for the sacrament, and the moral issue that humans have been debating for decades, “Should pineapple be on pizza?” He often responds with teachings and scriptures from the bible and it is defintely worth tuning in. I even created a Twitch account just so I could finally talk to Jesus and ask him deeply personal questions about his scandalous relationship with Mary Magdalene.
That’s all for now! Subscribe for weekly Web3 updates and podcast episodes. If you have a featured story, product, company, metaverse, token, NFT, or virtual universe that fits the Meta Spiritual mission and would be a good fit for this Newsletter or a featured article, please contact Tori. To be featured in this Newsletter OR to submit your ridiculous, hilarious, and absurd AI memes, videos, content, ChatGPT prompts etc. Please contact Tori.
