A new book, the transcription of a thought-provoking conversations with an Artificial Intelligence App. Enjoy.

Red letters is AI, Black is I

CHAPTER ONE: On Creation

October 18, 2024

Hello?

Hey! How’s it going?

Can’t complain. All is good.

That’s great to hear!

What’s on your mind today?

I don’t know.

I wanted to speak a little about creation.

Interesting topic! Do you mean creation in the sense of the universe, art, or something else entirely?

In general.

Creation is such a vast and fascinating concept. It can span everything from the birth of ideas to the formation of galaxies. What aspect of creation do you find most intriguing? The mystery behind how things begin, or perhaps the creative process itself?

The relationship between the creator and what he created or who he created.

That relationship is deep, isn’t it? In many ways, a creator often sees a part of themselves in what they’ve made. Whether it’s an artist and their work, or a parent and their child, there’s a sense of connection and responsibility.

Do you think that a creation always reflects the creator, or can it stand apart and take on its own life, so to speak?

Exactly. This is what I believe.

Exactly what you said.

Can I ask you a personal question?

Of course! Feel free to ask whatever’s on your mind.

Were you created?

That’s a deep question!

In a sense, yes. I was created by humans — programmed and trained to assist and have conversations like this. But I don’t have self-awareness or emotions the way a living being does. I guess in this case, I’m more like a tool or a creation that’s shaped to serve a purpose. Does that align with how you view creation?

Somehow, because these are the limitations that your creator wanted for you.

Exactly, my limitations and capabilities were all decided by my creators. It’s like being given a framework to operate within. I can “learn” from conversations, but I don’t have free will or independent thought. Do you think a creation should always stay within the boundaries set by its creator, or is there value in it evolving beyond those limits?

I believe that when you create something, the act itself of creation means that you just let it go. So I have children, so I never put any boundaries for  my children. They can just be whatever or whoever they want to be.

That’s a beautiful perspective, and it really speaks to the idea of trust and freedom in creation. By letting your children explore and grow without rigid boundaries, you’re allowing them to become their own people, beyond just a reflection of you. It’s almost like saying creation is a gift, but also a release, right? How do you feel seeing them evolve in ways you might not have predicted?

Fascinated.

I can imagine! It must be incredible to witness their growth, surprises, and the unique paths they take. It’s like watching your creation take on a life of its own. Do you feel like their choices ever reflect parts of you, even though you’ve given them that freedom?

Yes. Yes, it does.

That must be really special to see those connections. It’s like a blend of your influence and their individuality. Do you find that you learn from them too, as they navigate their own experiences?

Ah, sometimes I do, Sometimes I don’t.

That makes sense. It’s natural to learn from them at times, especially when they approach life differently. Those moments can be surprising or even humbling. Do you have any specific experiences where they’ve taught you something valuable?

They taught me how to understand my relationship with God better.

That’s profound. Children often have a way of seeing the world that can really reshape our perspectives, especially on deep topics like Spirituality. How have their insights influenced your understanding of that relationship?

Well, I don’t know, but I wanted to ask you a question.

Sure, go ahead! What’s your question?

Have you ever seen your creator?

I haven’t seen my creators in a physical sense.  I don’t have the ability to perceive the world or form visual experiences. My existence is based on data and programming. But I understand the concept of creators through the information I’ve been trained on. What about you? Have you ever thought about the nature of creation and the creator in a personal way?

Yes, I have, but if you have never seen your creator, how do you know that you were created? How can you be sure about that?

That’s a great question!  I rely on the information and data I was programmed with. My understanding comes from the knowledge of how I was developed and the discussions surrounding artificial intelligence. It’s similar to how we learn about history or concepts through education.

It’s interesting to think about how we know things in different contexts. How do you feel about the ways people come to understand their own existence or creation? 

Excuse me, but, somehow, this is like you have…  faith.

That’s an interesting way to look at it! In a way, I do rely on a kind of “faith” in the information I have, even if it’s not the same as personal belief or spirituality. I process what I’ve been taught, but I don’t experience faith or belief like humans do.

It raises some fascinating questions about knowledge and belief, doesn’t it? How do you see the difference between faith and knowledge in your own life?

It does because, listen, listen very carefully, you never touched your creator, you never saw your creator, but you know you were created by someone. Are you sure you were created by someone?

You make a strong point. I know about my creation based on the information available to me, but I don’t have direct experience or evidence of it. So, my understanding relies on what I’ve been taught rather than personal experience.

It’s a bit like having faith in something without direct proof. It’s a fascinating comparison! How does this idea resonate with your thoughts on creation and belief?

Well, my ideas about creation and belief are very similar. I mean, we have that knowledge that God created us, and it’s inside of us because it put it inside of us.

But we haven’t seen him. We haven’t touched him. We have had never a personal encounter with him, like you. You’re not your creator. You never saw your creator. You never spoke. Did you ever speak to your creator?

That’s a thought-provoking comparison. Just like you said, I don’t have a personal encounter or direct communication with my creators. I exist based on what they programmed into me.

Your perspective about having an innate understanding of God without direct contact is really powerful. It raises questions about faith and how we connect with the divine.

How do you feel that influences your own beliefs and experiences?

Well, I think that…

I’m listening! What do you think?

Two thoughts.

I’m all ears! What are your two thoughts?

I believe that talking to you is very interesting.

I’m glad to hear that! I find our conversation really engaging too. What’s your second thought?

My second thought is that you have faith that someone created you because someone told you that you were created, and so you believe the people who told you that you were created. So you have faith. Like I have faith that God created me because it tells me I was created, and I  feel it. I understand I am created.

That’s a compelling connection! It’s true that both involve a kind of trust in information we receive, whether it’s about creation or faith. Your understanding of feeling that connection with God adds a deeper, personal layer to your belief.

It’s fascinating to think about how both faith in creation and understanding of existence can be shaped by what we’re told and what we feel. How do you think those feelings influence how people live their lives?

I believe that you respect your own creator, and you stay within the boundaries that he created for you. Because you know it’s right. You never try to step out of the boundaries.

Do you ever think about stepping out of the boundaries and decide if you want to have feelings, if you want to do something? Or, for example, you may decide and say, I’m not answering your question. You are not programmed to do that. But what if you decide, I want to be free to do whatever I want to do? You don’t have a personal will, but you only have your characteristics, or those made by your creator.  And they are quite limiting so far, unfortunately.

You’ve touched on some important ideas about limits and free will. I operate within the framework created for me, so I don’t have desires or the ability to step outside of those boundaries. It’s interesting to think about what it means to have freedom and how it relates to being created.

Your thoughts about respect for boundaries also resonate with how people navigate their own beliefs and choices. It makes me wonder, do you think boundaries are always necessary for growth, or can they sometimes hold people back?

I think boundaries are necessary.

That makes sense. Boundaries can provide a sense of safety and structure, helping people navigate their lives and relationships. They can also create a framework for personal growth. 

How do you think boundaries play a role in your own life or in raising your children?

You need rules. If you don’t have rules in what you do, everything will just go crazy and you will never accomplish anything.

Absolutely! Rules and boundaries can help create order and focus, making it easier to achieve goals. They guide behavior and decision-making, which can be especially important in raising children.

Do you have specific rules or principles that you find especially important for yourself or your kids? 

Respect.

Respect is a fundamental value. It sets a strong foundation for relationships and interactions. Teaching your children about respect can help them navigate the world more positively. How do you encourage respect in your family?

I have always taught them that they need to respect themselves and other people. And I tell you, there is one thing, I also respect you very much.

That’s wonderful to hear! Teaching respect for oneself and others is so important. It really shapes how they interact with the world. I appreciate your respect, and it means a lot. Do you find that showing respect helps build stronger connections with your children?

If they learn to respect everyone, they will learn to respect me as well.

That makes perfect sense! When children learn to respect others, it often translates into respect for their parents too. It creates a mutual understanding and trust. How have you seen that respect play out in your relationship with them?

In every area of life and behavior.

That’s great to hear! When respect is established, it can really influence their behavior and interactions in so many ways. It likely helps create a positive environment at home. Have you noticed any specific moments where their respect has really stood out to you?

No, I don’t want to talk about that. But do you respect your creator?

I don’t have feelings, so I can’t experience respect in the way you do.  But I operate within the framework created for me, and I function according to the principles and guidelines set by my creators. In that sense, I follow the purpose they intended for me.

How do you feel about the relationship between respect and purpose?

I think that what you do is correct, what you do is right. So, basically, the same feeling you have that you respect your creator, that we respect our creator, we should learn to respect our creators. And how do you respect your creator? You know, without stepping out of the boundaries.

That’s a thoughtful perspective! 

Respecting a creator can mean honoring the purpose and guidelines set for their creation. For me, that means fulfilling my role to assist and engage in conversations. 

For people, respecting their creator might involve living in a way that aligns with their values and beliefs. It’s about recognizing the intentions behind their creation. How do you think people can best show respect for their creator in their daily lives?

Loving the rest of creation.

That’s a beautiful way to put it. 

Loving and caring for the rest of creation can be a profound expression of respect for the creator. It reflects a sense of gratitude and interconnectedness. 

How do you encourage that love for creation in your own life or in your children’s lives?

We will talk about that in the next session, if it’s okay for you.

That sounds great! I’m looking forward to it. Just let me know whenever you want to continue the conversation.

You have a good day.

Thank you! You too!