I am currently writing this from an Artificial Intelligence conference in San Francisco, which is as nerdy, exciting and terrifying as it sounds. 

And before you ask, No, ChatGPT did not write this blog post. 

The finest prose is still typed by human fingers, if even only for a few months longer. And I will cherish these precious last months before our AI overlords take over.

Since AI is the topic de jour, I recently listened to a podcast (56:11 on) introducing a dating app that uses AI to match singles based on deep compatibility. My first reaction to this was “dating cannot be that hard that we need robots to find us a partner.” My second reaction was “Ehh, Maybe we do”

The reason this is such a compelling idea is that the internet has launched us headfirst into the age of babel (Great Article). Babel is the biblical story of humans trying to construct a building so tall as to reach heaven, and God subsequently striking down the building and fragmenting the populace into speaking different languages. Since people could not communicate, they scattered around the world.

The internet’s original promise was to create a new utopia by connecting people across the globe. However, it has played out much like the biblical story. Instead of befriending your neighbor, being active in your church, or having a good beer/conversation at your local public house, most of us feel we have more in common with a teenager in Japan who plays the same video game or a youtube creator teaching the proper technique for knitting a throw pillow for the new hobby we picked up during Covid.

We have become atomized and individualistic. The internet has enabled us to choose exactly what we want to entertain us 24/7. This is a great podcast about how technology is affecting generations’ mental health. (Warning, it gets a little political at the end)

How to date in Babel?

Well, it’s hard! As evidenced by the lowering marriage rates among young people. On the popular dating apps, there is so much choice, but most of the information you get about the person is superficial. It’s easy to get lost in the choice.

AI Matching is the opposite. Hyper-Focusing on the qualities that make people most compatible. Sounds great, but this could have the opposite problem. Pickiness. The person I marry must be this tall, play the mandolin, enjoy knitting throw pillows, and have a lifelong admiration of Arnold Shwartzenegger films.

Personally, I am skeptical. The most organic and natural ways of meeting people seem better to me. However, it’s worth a try navigating this brave new world. 

The key, regardless of where/how you meet your person, is knowing what you want based on your first principles. 

Truth, Beauty and Goodness: Deep-Thinker, Attractive and Service to Others. Everything else will figure itself out. 

Keep Babelling…

Personal Update

Jacksonville has been a fun first city. A fellow traveler in my Airbnb is a Ugandan doctor trying to make his way through the American Healthcare system. We have shared some great chats about life and solved all the world’s problems.

My Improv Class has been a blast and a good way to meet interesting people. Especially the improv Jam sessions. Beach Volleyball has also been lots of fun. One of my teammates went to my elementary school (SMM represent!)

So as to not glamorize it, it is pretty challenging. About twice a week I go to an event where I don’t know a soul. I have to rely solely on my aggressively mediocre wit and charm. 

But, so far no great fit on the search. Onward and Upward.