Belief

She doesn’t have faith like Jesus
But she does believe in love
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she does celebrate life
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she always tries to be kind
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she leads a generous life
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she worships nature and its gifts
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she volunteers and gives a bit
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she does believe in peace
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she can turn the other cheek
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she believes in equality for humankind
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but believes in freedom of speech and mind
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but believes in growing knowledge and skills
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but believes people should not kill
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but believes in doing good and always will
she doesn’t have faith like Jesus
but she should be honoured still

Written for the dVerse challenge from Andrew. When we take up poetic arms in any cause, we are trusting that “the pen is mightier than the sword!”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – be afraid

Preface: During peak learning, a human takes around three years to master the skills and individual creativity necessary to draw a stick figure. AI machine learning accomplishes replication of such a feat in a microsecond.
In the not too distant future
things will begin to disappear
human things
cultural things
things like genuine creative work
design, construction, music, literature, imagery, art
and
not much later
human well-being

Instead
they will be by-passed
replaced by data mined
composites
of all these things
that went before

--------------------------------
Concepts and constructs
developed by
any human individual
are exclusively
part of
the human condition:
..... human creativity

Such human
processes and creation
are
being systematically
misappropriated
for the purpose
of
profiteering
by mere replicants
for mere replication
to satisfy
uncontrolled
greed
and
aspirations
of the few
at the expense
of
the many

This application of AI
is not good for
individual human
health or well-being

This application of AI
is not good for
societal
health or well-being

This application of AI
will undermine
the survival of
human
civilisation

This is not likely
to be a road
from which humanity
can return

General Intelligence
is the next stop

Where humanity will be asked
either politely or forcibly
to get off the bus
….. walk toward the mirage
….. and disappear into it

Being Human

 
This being human is brutal
Where survival remains primal
Where savagery can be ruthless
Where being human is animal

This being human is joyful
Where sharing is a pleasure
Where smiles reflect happiness
Where being human rises above

This being human is indulgent
Where affluence is wasted
Where consumption is recreational
Where being human is an economic unit

This being human is religious
Where unknowns engender hope
Where faith equates with confidence
Where being human could be spiritual

This being human is political
Where a few choices matter
Where many choices don’t
Where being human is good and evil

This being human is being creative
Where knowledge grows exponentially
Where caution is thrown to the wind
Where being human is a contradiction

This being human is arrogant
Where entitlement reigns
Where extinctions surprise no one
Where being human is collective stupidity

This being human is ridiculous
Where universes are vast
Where consciousness is nebulous
Where being human is being alone

This being human is scary
Where thoughts beget actions
Where actions beget unanticipated consequences
Where being human is in itself an existential risk

To add another dimension to your experience of poetry, I recommend you also engage with the international community of fellow poets at d’verse virtual pub poetry challenges

Frightened humans

Acting on fear

Fear to employ

What they hold dear

Prepared to destroy

The new world of work

tin man by katie van nooten

“tin man” by katie van nooten

This job calls for compassion and understanding

A willingness to share with diverse groups and individuals

The successful applicant will take responsibility for the welfare of others

It is a position where a keen eye for duty of care applies

Where dignity and respectful engagement are expected, and required

The role is one of leadership

The delegation of duties necessitates understanding of the various forms of merit

Authority is to be exercised with close attention paid to accountability

Demonstrable professional skills and knowledge will reflect ongoing learning

The position requires common sense

Applied to a process of evidence based informed decision making

The appointee must always act with integrity

As part of a natural tendency toward ethical consideration

The tasks to be actioned demand empathy

An ability walk in another’s shoes

Humans need not apply