Nervous System Mastery: In a messy world remember, unlike AI, we are conscious beings
Last year I attended an event at a London based university. A senior lecturer spoke about how the brain can respond to disagreement and strategies for enhancing communication during difficult conversations. I have to admit I left feeling exceptionally disappointed and somewhat concerned. Sadly, their research was driven solely by language, one dimensional intellect, akin to AI.
But why is one dimensional intellect such a problem? Let me explain.
AI is amazing for things like language models and image generation. The tech companies have spent many years harvesting from our global digital life, our text, our images, our sounds, trillions and trillions of pieces of our data. Keep in mind we collectively have never been consulted or compensated for these pieces of ‘memory’ to contribute to the creation of the AI world that now exists. Furthermore AI is only as robust and valid as the information and misinformation it has been fed, or not, by us.
Humans in everyday life process staggering amounts of data, utilising our complex memory capability. Unlike technology, our brains contain living cells with a metabolism. Oxygen and energy are needed to keep them functioning. Every interaction with ‘technology’ such as Instagram, LinkedIn, TiK Tok or AI means we are expending energy. For a moment compare our cognitive load to 10 years ago let alone 100 years ago. It perhaps really is no shock our mental and physical health is taking a collective hit, expressing itself via anxiety, depression and inflammation.
But aside from the importance of energy consumption. AI is not conscious, it is not sensate. Deepseek or ChatGTP has probably read most of the internet but it has no concept of reality. Much like many areas of psychology AI works on surface level cognition. It does not consider our complex multifaceted capabilities, incorporating elements such as: our interoceptive, exteroception and proprioceptive capability, our emotional embodied memories, genetic memories, our energy needs, our interconnected brain-body-movement-system.
If like me you find this world very physically, mentally and emotionally overwhelming at times, you are not alone. Remember AI is the product of incredibly complex mathematical ordering. In contrast, we are made up of a rich historical tapestry of biology and psychology contributing to our sense of self. We need real connection, purpose, movement, community and a sense of safety to thrive. We are part of nature not superior to it.