More and more the presence of Watson, IBM’s famous artificial intelligence (AI) machine that won TV’s ‘Jeopardy’ game show a few years ago, is becoming ubiquitous.
We see its speed and brilliance promoted in various business applications and educational projects as well as, most promisingly, in complex medical disease diagnosis.
Certainly, Watson (logo above) brings enormous advantages, including its ability to hold and continually update in its ‘memory’ information about every illness ever known, each of our (and our ancestors’) genetic and medical histories, and, as long as it’s plugged into the wall, consistent, non-tiring, non-hungry, non-bored, lightning-fast performance capabilities.
We have, at full speed, entered the age of the AI algorithm.
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I believe Siddhartha Gautama, aka the Buddha, was the Watson of his time, in human terms.
The algorithm he created and shared is as relevant today as it was on the Indian subcontinent of 2,500 years ago . . .
1. Sentient beings, those with unenlightened minds, experience perpetual discontent and hardship.
2. This is due to deep, deep misunderstandings of how they and all things truly exist, misunderstandings that lead to self-centered perspectives, desires and attachments.
3. There is a path of study and practice that overcomes the situation.
4. He then laid the path out in eight specific ‘routes’ categorized
in three encircling disciplines: (1) moral conduct, (2) mental discipline and, (3) wisdom.
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There is nothing ‘Artificial’ about Siddhartha’s intelligence, it is both naturally born and deeply penetrating.
For centuries it has been used by many thousands to diagnose and treat our species’ deepest malady . . . the ignorance keeping us from authentic happiness and the wholesomeness that allows it.
Perhaps one day the scientists at IBM will program their Watson with capabilities to help human beings overcome the causes of fearful limitation(s) we allow to contaminate the moments of our lives.
Until then, there is the tasty old-fashioned way . . . The Buddha-Dharma.
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