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The real danger is not the internet, but the obsolescence of human intellect
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain /Technology

The real danger is not the internet, but the obsolescence of human intellect

From La Vanguardia · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • The author criticizes the US president's perceived erratic foreign policy and personal behavior, including controversial social media posts.
  • The article argues that the rise of right-wing populism globally is primarily driven by the internet, which fosters ignorance and misinformation.
  • It warns that artificial intelligence poses a greater threat than the internet, potentially leading to the obsolescence of human intellect.

The article expresses alarm over what it describes as the US president's easily distracting and erratic behavior, citing perceived contradictions in foreign policy and controversial personal statements. The author points to the president's alleged views on South Korea and North Korea, as well as his consideration of bombing Oman, as examples of his unpredictable nature. The influence of a young advisor on the president's social media posts, including a meme targeting the Obamas, is also highlighted.

Beyond the president's actions, the piece delves into the broader societal impact of the internet, referencing Francis Fukuyama's argument that the internet is the primary driver of right-wing populism worldwide. The author contends that the digital realm has created a parallel world dominated by ignorance and lies, exploiting human psychological vulnerabilities as confessed by former Facebook president Sean Parker. This environment, the article suggests, has eroded the critical thinking abilities of younger generations, making them susceptible to misinformation.

The central thesis warns that the threat posed by artificial intelligence surpasses that of the internet. The author posits that AI could soon become the operating system of human civilization, rendering human intellect obsolete. This prospect is described as a "contemplation of death," signifying the end of the world as it has been known for millennia. The article concludes by suggesting that while distractions like the internet or Trump's presidency are in the past, the true existential threat lies in the potential for human minds to cease functioning altogether due to the rise of AI.

Papilla.

โ€” AuthorDescribing the cognitive state of young people due to internet influence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Vanguardia in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.