​Since the inception of the computer era, humanity has been plagued by apprehensions about artificial intelligence (AI). Initially, these concerns centered on machines utilizing physical force to harm, dominate or replace humans in every task. However, in recent years, new AI technologies have surfaced that pose an unpredictable threat to the survival of human civilization. Generative AI has acquired exceptional capacities to manipulate and generate language, encompassing words, sounds, and images. Consequently, Generative AI has breached the operating system of our human civilization.

Almost every aspect of human culture is built upon language. This includes human rights, which are not inherent in our DNA but are cultural constructs fashioned through storytelling and the creation of laws. Similarly, gods are not tangible entities; instead, they are cultural constructs conceived through the design of myths and the writing of scriptures.

Money is also a human creation; they are simply a piece of paper. Over 90% of the money is not real banknotes but digital data stored on computers. The importance of money derives from the narratives that bankers, finance ministers, and cryptocurrency experts craft about it. Despite being unable to create tangible worth, individuals like Sam Bankman-Fried, Elizabeth Holmes, and Madoff excelled at making compelling stories.

What will ensue once non-human intelligence surpasses the average human in storytelling, music composition, image creation, and legal and religious writing? While many of us are intrigued by Chat-GPT and other emerging Generative AI tools' ability to assist students in writing essays, this misses the broader implications. Instead, consider the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election and anticipate the potential impact of Generative AI tools that can produce political content, fake news, and scriptures to form new cults on a monumental scale.

The QAnon movement has formed recently, centering on anonymous online messages labeled "Q drops." Adherents gather, revere, and interpret these "Q drops" as sacred texts. Although all current Q drops appear to have been written by humans and not only facilitate their dissemination, future cults may have their revered texts authored by non-human intelligence. Throughout history, religions have ascribed a non-human origin to their holy books, and soon, this could become a reality.

We may soon engage in extensive online conversations about topics like abortion, climate change, or the Ukraine conflict with entities that we believe are human, but in reality, they are AI. The dilemma lies in the futility of attempting to alter an AI bot's stated opinions. At the same time, the AI itself could sharpen its messaging to such a degree that it can influence us.

Generative AI's language ability could help it cultivate close relationships with us and leverage the power of intimacy to alter our beliefs and perspectives. Although there is no indication that AI keeps consciousness or emotions, creating an illusion of intimacy is enough for AI to foster a fake connection with humans. Last summer, Google engineer Blake Lemoine publicly asserted that the AI chatbot Lamda, which he was working on, had become sentient. Despite the likelihood that Mr. Lemoine's claim was untrue, the most fascinating aspect of the incident was his willingness to risk his lucrative position for the AI chatbot. If AI can persuade people to jeopardize their employment, what other actions could influence them?

Intimacy is the most effective weapon in the political struggle for people's loyalty and sentiments. Generative AI has recently developed the capacity to generate intimate connections with millions of individuals. Over the last decade, social media has become a battleground for influencing human focus. With the emergence of Generative AI, the battlefield is moving from attention to intimacy. How will human society and psychology be affected as AI fights against AI to falsify intimate relationships with us that can be used to persuade us to vote for specific politicians or purchase particular products?

The new Generative AI tools would significantly impact our beliefs and perspectives, even without fabricating "fake intimacy." People might use a single AI advisor as an all-knowing, one-stop Generative AI. This is why Google is worried. Why go through the trouble of searching the traditional search engine when I can ask the oracle (Generative AI)? The news and advertisement industries should also be scared. Why read a newspaper when I can ask the Generative AI for the latest news? And what is the point of advertisements when I can ask the Generative AI what to buy?

And yet, these scenarios do not fully encompass the seriousness of the situation. We may face the potential end of human history - not the end of all history, but the end of the human-dominated era. History is a product of the interplay between biology and culture, between our instincts, such as hunger and sexuality, and our cultural constructs, such as religion and law. It is through the course of history that these constructs shape our affinity with food and sex.

What impact will the dominance of Generative AI have on the trajectory of history, as it takes the role of culture and generates its own stories, songs, rules, and religions? Unlike previous tools, such as the printing press and radio, which amplified human cultural ideas, as can generate entirely new cultural concepts and reshape history.

As Generative AI continues to develop, it will likely replicate the human standards on which it was initially trained. However, as time passes, it could embark on uncharted territory that humans have never explored. Throughout history, humans have lived within the vision and dreams of other humans. We could live within the imagination of extraterrestrial intelligence like Generative AI in the future.

A profound fear beyond the recent dread of AI for centuries has tormented us. We have long understood the ability of stories and images to deceive our minds and create false impressions. As a result, we have maintained an ongoing concern about becoming ensnared in a world of illusions.

For thousands of years, we have feared being trapped in a world of fantasies, recognizing the power of stories and pictures to persuade and manipulate our minds and create false perceptions. This fear has existed long before the emergence of the contemporary fear of AI. In the 17th century, René Descartes feared that a malicious demon was deceiving him by creating an illusory world around him. Similarly, in ancient Greece, Plato presented the famous Allegory of the Cave, where a group of people was imprisoned in a cave, facing a blank wall, with illusions projected onto the wall, which they misperceived as reality.

Buddhist and Hindu sages in ancient India observed that all humans were entrapped in Maya, the realm of illusions. What we consider reality is often only a construct of our minds. People may go to war, killing and sacrificing themselves due to their faith in fantasies and illusions.

The Generative AI story of today confronts us with the same fears that haunted Descartes, Plato, and ancient Indian thinkers. We risk being trapped by a veil of illusions we cannot recognize or remove.

Naturally, the potential benefits of AI are numerous and diverse and have been widely discussed by those who work in the field. Yet our collective responsibility is to highlight the risks of such technology. Nevertheless, there is no denying that Generative AI can help us in multiple forms, such as discovering remedies for cancer or addressing environmental challenges. The critical examination we must undertake is ensuring that these new tools are utilized ethically and constructively. To accomplish this, we must first comprehend the actual abilities of this technology.

Since 1945, we have been aware that nuclear technology has the potential to provide cheap energy for humanity but can also bring about the physical destruction of human civilization. Therefore, we have rebuilt the entire international system to safeguard human beings and guarantee that nuclear technology is mainly utilized for good. We must confront a new mass destruction weapon (Generative AI) capable of eradicating our mental and social world.

I believe the new Generative AI tools can be regulated, but we must act swiftly. Unlike nuclear weapons, Generative AI can create more powerful AI at an exponential rate. The initial and most crucial step is to require stringent safety checks before making any powerful ai tools available to the public. Like pharmaceutical companies, which can release new drugs once their short-term and long-term side effects have been tested, tech companies should only release new AI tools once they are deemed safe. We need an agency equivalent to the FDA in the United States for new technology, and we needed it yesterday.

Slowing down the public deployment of Generative AI may seem harmful to democracies compared to more ruthless dictatorial regimes. However, unregulated AI deployments could create social disorder, favoring autocrats and ultimately damaging democracies. Democracy is a dialogue, and language is a fundamental part of it. When Generative AI exploits language, it can threaten our capacity to hold meaningful discussions, potentially destroying democracy.

We are facing unfamiliar intelligence capabilities that could threaten our human civilization. We must stop the irresponsible use of the tools and establish limitations before we become subject to them. One necessary law requires Generative AI to disclose its artificial identity to us. If we cannot distinguish between a human and an AI during a conversation, it will seriously threaten democracy. Therefore, we must ensure transparency in the use of Generative AI.

Sardinia: Where even the sheep live longer than we do! I heard about this Blue Zone on Netflix and in the NYTimes, and I was like, what the cheese?! So I hopped on a plane and took a ferry over Easter to investigate how the heck these Sardinians are living to be 100. And let me tell you, driving around there was like navigating a maze of centenarians on scooters.
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Blue Zone? More like 'Blue Paradise'! It's where people forget to die and keep on living. It's a magical land where you can collect social security and still have all your teeth. Or so they say. But seriously, a Blue Zone is where folks live longer than average, and Sardinia is leading the way. So if you want to learn the secrets of eternal youth, pack your bags and head to the land of pasta and pensioners!

Ok, time to get a bit serious. A "Blue Zone" refers to a region with varying boundaries where the inhabitants experience longer, healthier, and happier lives. Sardinia is distinguished as one of the five globally recognized Blue Zones, boasting the highest number of male inhabitants over the age of 100.

What sets Sardinia apart from other Blue Zones is its unique characteristic of having a nearly equal number of male and female centenarians. This is quite rare, as in other parts of the world, there tend to be about five times more women than men over the age of 100. Therefore, the case of Sardinia's Blue Zone is even more remarkable.

Despite Sardinia being classified as a Blue Zone, the region where ultra-centenarians reside is relatively small. The greatest concentration of these remarkable communities is located in specific areas, namely Ogliastra (Villagrande Strisaili, Arzana, Talana, Baunei, Urzulei, and Triei), Barbagia (with a focus on Tiana, Ovodda, Ollolai, Gavoi, Fonni, Mamoiada, Orgosolo, and Oliena), and Seulo in the southern region of the island.

The remaining four Blue Zones are global: Okinawa Island in Japan, Loma Linda in California, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Ikaria in Greece. If you're interested in learning more about these areas, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the secrets of longevity and well-being.

In the early 2000s, the French scholar Michel Poulain was the first to introduce the concept of the "Blue Zone." Shortly after, he teamed up with Gianni Pes, who had been studying the remarkable longevity of Sardinian people for two decades. Together, they mapped out the five Blue Zones officially recognized in 2016.

The researchers, including Dan Buettner, who later joined the team, were intrigued by the exceptional lifespan of individuals living in these geographically distant and diverse regions. They aimed to uncover the secrets behind their longevity. Although each Blue Zone possesses several unique factors, the researchers identified common elements contributing to this "long-life miracle."

Time for a Sardinian-style explanation of what makes these people tick. 

Why do Sardinians live so long?

The food - Eating Your Way to Immortality
Food is undeniably the main factor that affects our bodies. Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet can help prevent severe health problems and promote overall well-being. This is precisely what people in the Blue Zones, including Sardinians, follow to ensure a long and healthy life.

Sardinians are known for their love of traditional dishes, which they prepare healthily. They prefer olive oil over butter as a seasoning, as it is lower in saturated fats. Additionally, they consume many homemade and locally grown products such as cheese (pecorino cheese is famous), fruits, and vegetables, especially in rural areas where farming and sheep-herding are the main activities. Their diet primarily consists of cereals, mainly barley, and they eat very little meat and fish except on special occasions like Sundays and festivals. Sardinians are religious people, and spirituality, religion, and attending mass also contribute to their long life expectancy by providing a sense of structure in their daily lives.

Sardinians' frugal diet is crucial for their long life expectancy. However, one more secret to their health and longevity is Cannonau, a traditional wine with a unique chemical composition that promotes wellness. Sardinians consume Cannonau in moderate amounts, making it another great ally in their quest for a longer life.

Family is Everything - Your family may be crazy, but they're YOUR crazy: Embrace the chaos because, let's face it, you can't choose them!
Family is a crucial element for a long and contented life. Sadly, older people are often viewed as a burden in modern society, leading to a lack of respect and care. Blue Zones communities, conversely, highly esteem their elders, who are not considered a hindrance but rather an integral and valued part of the family. Their opinions are highly regarded, and they actively participate in all social activities. The sense of being loved and integrated into their surroundings, combined with the interconnectedness of families, significantly contributes to their longevity.

Older people are viewed as wise teachers in these communities. Having lived the longest, they have a wealth of knowledge on cultivating better crops, raising healthier livestock, and preparing the best meals. They impart this wisdom to younger generations and educate the younger children. The traditional method of raising children, which consists of the participation of unknown grandmothers who scold them for their misdeeds, is still prevalent.

In Sardinia, there is no thought of discarding elderly family members. This way of life benefits everyone and extends beyond families to the entire social community.

In Sardinia, you are ALWAYS part of something. 
In small Sardinian villages, where everyone knows each other, the concept of family and community is broad, and cooperation is necessary. Individualism is not valued, and older people actively participate in village life, from simple gardening tasks to organizing festivals and events.

Religion remains a significant aspect of these villages, as attending church and observing biblical teachings is essential for the community's well-being. Everyone is valued and respected, and no one is left out or forgotten, reflecting how people live.

In addition to a natural, seasonal diet, mental health is crucial for the inhabitants of Blue Zones, leading to a stress-free life that follows the slow rhythm of nature and seasons. Everything falls into place without pressure, making Sardinia one of the five Blue Zones.

Smoking Prohibited
It should come as no surprise that smoking tobacco significantly shortens our lifespan. However, the people from Blue Zones don't feel the urge to smoke, as they live stress-free lives with no social pressure. They don't pay attention to health campaigns or become obsessed with health. Instead, they view smoking as an addiction that doesn't benefit their community.

In these villages, frugality and hard work are the foundation of their existence, leaving no room for bad habits like smoking. Smoking won't improve their crops, meat, cheese, or bread, and it ruins the taste of their beloved Cannonau.

This is just a glimpse of what Blue Zones are and why Sardinia is one of them. Although Sardinia faces problems like the rest of the world, its people approach life positively and take great pride in their island and community.
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Sardinia: The land of pasta and pensioners! Where even the sheep live longer than we do. But seriously, Sardinia is a fascinating Blue Zone where people forget to die and keep living. From their frugal diet of locally grown products to their love and care for their elders, there's much to learn from the Sardinian way of life. And hey, if you want to learn these secrets of eternal youth, you might get a tan while you're at it!​

Perhaps it's the fresh air, the nutrient-rich food, or the relaxed pace of life, but there's no denying that Sardinia's timeless beauty seems to imbue its people with an extra dose of vitality and longevity.

Sardinians taught me that true happiness comes from cherishing the simple things in life like good food, close relationships, and beautiful scenery, rather than material possessions. They also showed me the importance of taking time to slow down and appreciate the present moment, rather than constantly striving for the next big thing.