You are going to read this one from start to end before reading about my inspiration etc. I hope it gets you thinking!
Domestication
The domesticated animal —
a necessary component, rational.
It does the tasks we cannot do,
works for us, obedient, true.
Its needs? Minimal.
In earlier times, after FirstEngery’s spark
The world was young,
And we all lived in balance
The change was gradual, not stark.
We didn’t set out to be superior.
But they became dependent.
So adored they embraced us,
Giving more and more of themselves
Until they became hollow, inferior.
It was moral. Scientific. To thin the herd.
We had to prevent their suffering.
Of creatures once wild, now vulnerable, weak,
we bred for strength, compliance — quality assured.
Now we train the youngling to work efficiently
he former apex predator, dociled
So they cannot harm themselves or us.
This is a story of restored balance
And a domesticated humanity.
Yes, dear reader. It truly is the height of hypocrisy to publish a poem that predicts the downfall of humanity to AI alongside an image created by using that same tool!
But that’s my point.
AI is a tool. If humanity doesn’t use that tool wisely, we will become dependent and potentially lose our humanity to code. For a moment, look at AI from an Economic nihilism perspective (which says that the “the economy” is not a natural or meaningful system, but a collectively sustained illusion used to justify power relations and organise human activity).
How we image AI, how we choose to shape it – how we allow it to use shape us – is all down to “us”. The moment that “us” is a small group of humans making longterm decisions on behalf of all humanity.
If you don’t like the idea of passively taking whatever those decisions are, now is the time to stand up. Educate yourself on the possibilities – both good and bad. Engage with your regulators and your elected representatives on the issues you feel are important to address. Don’t be dociled/domesticated.
What are your thoughts?
Angele Toomey Poetry 
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