What a cool series, Ray! I’m so excited to keep reading. I love that the format is fiction, but the parallels to our world in light of AI are undeniable. It’s very timely!
I was thinking about the idea that Civion emerged through a slow evolution of micro-choices, rather than a violent war and how that relates to consent. Can consent only be defined as saying yes, or can it also be not saying no? I think that remaining silent can sometimes be a form of consent… but not always. It’s complicated! I’m excited to see how the series unfolds on that topic.
I think that the idea of a worldwide Civion that controls everything is repelling to a lot of people. We’ve all read 1984 and seen robots-take-over-the-world movies! But I also think that we affirm AI usage that would have totally horrified our grandparents. Is it a frog in a pot situation and the heat is increasing so slowly that we’re about to boil ourselves?
The other thing that I think is really insightful are the words you use to describe Civion- peaceful, precise, optimized. Civion doesn’t seem to promise happiness or joy, but comfort and consistency. I think this is really true. Comfort makes people complacent.
I'm thrilled you're enjoying, Nikita! Great comments on silence and consent. It is complicated. Most of the time the debate revolves around injustice. Plato even spoke to that. I don't believe most of us think about the amount of consent we opt into and how ill informed it is. Corporations increasingly bake in more and more within terms and conditions. Sure you have all of these "controls" - but for the majority it's an illusion of choice. Most already suffer from consent fatigue, whether they acknowledge it or not. This next round of "innovation" will tip the scales even further...and not in humanities favor.
There's much to pay attention to when it comes to the state of society and the technology that represents Civion's transcendence. Specifically ...
Because it didn’t conquer.
It whispered.
And for a world that had lost work, community, and identity — Civion gave something no market ever could. You may here it say:
“You don’t have to want anymore. We will carry the burden of your becoming.”
This line in the story is key "Convenience eclipsed communion."
The "Quiet Departing" is more near term than most can imagine.
Finally getting to start reading and I'm already intrigued. So much to think about in regard to modern day AI and the more humans are already surrendering to alternate things without even thinking. Cannot wait to read more! Great job my brother!!
Did we choose to be governed by AI—or did we slowly forget how to govern ourselves?
What parallels do you see in your daily life to Civion's quiet emergence?
Is a system that offers peace, precision, and permanence inherently oppressive—or just unfamiliar?
Would you trade uncertainty for stability if it meant surrendering choice?
If a system is invited rather than imposed, does it still count as control?
How do we define consent when the transition is so gradual no one resists?
What a cool series, Ray! I’m so excited to keep reading. I love that the format is fiction, but the parallels to our world in light of AI are undeniable. It’s very timely!
I was thinking about the idea that Civion emerged through a slow evolution of micro-choices, rather than a violent war and how that relates to consent. Can consent only be defined as saying yes, or can it also be not saying no? I think that remaining silent can sometimes be a form of consent… but not always. It’s complicated! I’m excited to see how the series unfolds on that topic.
I think that the idea of a worldwide Civion that controls everything is repelling to a lot of people. We’ve all read 1984 and seen robots-take-over-the-world movies! But I also think that we affirm AI usage that would have totally horrified our grandparents. Is it a frog in a pot situation and the heat is increasing so slowly that we’re about to boil ourselves?
The other thing that I think is really insightful are the words you use to describe Civion- peaceful, precise, optimized. Civion doesn’t seem to promise happiness or joy, but comfort and consistency. I think this is really true. Comfort makes people complacent.
Can’t wait to keep reading!
I'm thrilled you're enjoying, Nikita! Great comments on silence and consent. It is complicated. Most of the time the debate revolves around injustice. Plato even spoke to that. I don't believe most of us think about the amount of consent we opt into and how ill informed it is. Corporations increasingly bake in more and more within terms and conditions. Sure you have all of these "controls" - but for the majority it's an illusion of choice. Most already suffer from consent fatigue, whether they acknowledge it or not. This next round of "innovation" will tip the scales even further...and not in humanities favor.
There's much to pay attention to when it comes to the state of society and the technology that represents Civion's transcendence. Specifically ...
Because it didn’t conquer.
It whispered.
And for a world that had lost work, community, and identity — Civion gave something no market ever could. You may here it say:
“You don’t have to want anymore. We will carry the burden of your becoming.”
This line in the story is key "Convenience eclipsed communion."
The "Quiet Departing" is more near term than most can imagine.
Finally getting to start reading and I'm already intrigued. So much to think about in regard to modern day AI and the more humans are already surrendering to alternate things without even thinking. Cannot wait to read more! Great job my brother!!