#4 Aurum Finds

Imitation and Innovation, Complex Systems, Intelligence and Genius, the future of AI

“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” -Winston Churchill

Hey Finders, Welcome to the month of July!

In this issue, Andrew and I bring you articles on;

• Imitation and Innovation

• Complex Systems

• The Relationship between Intelligence and Genius

• Our inability as human beings to predict the future of AI

Yes, we only provided 4 articles today but that’s only because it’s issue 4 and not because of a paywall or anything.

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If you’re new, Welcome!

Welcome to Aurum Finds, where we (Gold and Andrew) curate fascinating articles on a wide range of topics, from Christianity to Rocketry. Edem tirelessly searches the web for valuable and thought-provoking pieces, while Andrew offers insightful commentary, adding another layer of understanding.

Together, we provide a curated selection that deepens your knowledge and encourages meaningful conversations.

Join us on this enriching journey of discovery, Every Monday and Friday, as they unearth hidden treasures of information, inviting you to explore and learn.

Happy reading!

If you enjoy it, please;

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Friday’s Finds

Enjoy!

Imitation and Innovation

Imitation isn't always bad. In fact, it can be an incredibly important way for us to learn and improve. David Perrell is back again with another insightful long-form piece called Imitate, Then Innovate, where he discusses artists like Leonardo da Vinci utilizing copying techniques in order to learn, before creating his own works. 

The decline of apprenticeships and the rise of mass schooling and the printing press, however, have led to a disproportionate emphasis on codified knowledge that can be easily printed in textbooks. This shift has impacted the transmission of tacit knowledge and technique, which were once passed down through direct observation and imitation in apprenticeships. As a painting major in school myself, once upon a time, this work really resonated with me.

Perrell concludes by suggesting ways you can imitate across an industry, from afar. 

Complex Systems Won’t Survive the Competence Crisis

In Complex Systems Won’t Survive the Competence Crisis, Harold Robertson discusses the impacts of shifting societal norms in America, with a focus on the prioritization of diversity over competency in many aspects of society. This is a wide-ranging piece that dives into a tough, controversial topic with intellectual honesty. Robertson expresses concern about the potential consequences, especially within complex and tightly-coupled systems that underpin American life, like the power grid, financial markets, and healthcare.

The author asserts that the trend of promoting diversity over competency is reducing morale, proficiency, and engagement among high performers and older employees. Consequently, younger, potentially less competent employees are burdened with maintaining these systems, potentially paving the way for an increase in catastrophic "normal accidents". Finally, the author warns that unless there is a significant change in American governance and a renewed focus on excellence, the U.S. may see a decline in its systems' reliability and the quality of life they support.

Intelligence Killed Genius

Intelligence Killed Genius by Alexey Guzey is half poem, half prose. This is a snappy, quick lesson in what intelligence and genius actually are. I don’t want to say too much because this is a quick read. Check it out.