Parshall Partners

The Quicksand of Materialism

    It’s been said that there is a growing conviction everywhere, and especially among thoughtful people, that unless revival comes, other forces will take the field, that will sink us still deeper into the mire of humanism and materialism. I think we are sinking now.

​    AI is no longer the future, it is here – now.  Christians are having to grapple with how this technology will intersect with their lives, if at all.  And, honestly, the people behind the machines know just how to tempt us into a deeper relationship with their technology.  Consider the new gadgets being offered to us, as a way of simplifying and streamlining our lives.  

​    META, Microsoft, OpenAI and Samsung have all introduced new devices.  META has a handheld device powered by its Muse personal AI agent.  

​    First, there is the Plaud NotePin, which is a wearable device, about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide, that can record and transcribe meetings.  Pin it to your clothes, put it on your wrist or wear it as a necklace.  In a world sinking deeper into materialism, clearly, this will become the “must have” accessory of the year.

​    Then there’s Microsoft’s “access badge”, again a portable device that parallel’s your typical work badge.  But this new toy comes with a touchscreen, camera and audio recorder.  Additionally, the device has finger-print based security, and a microphone.  

​    Next, there something from META that sounds like a toy being marketed to 5th graders.  It’s called the Muse Charm that looks like a Tamagotchi handheld digital pet.  In reality, it is a pocket-sized key chain with a 2-inch display and two cameras.  This must have new toy for grownups is designed to declutter your inbox, make dinner reservations or whatever else you would like the new Muse AI personal assistant to assist you with.  Mark Zuckerberg says his new product is “always available to talk to you”.  Sadly, millions have already downloaded the AI agent.  

    And, if you are looking for a new pair of glasses, don’t worry because AI has got you covered. META is using their Muse program for eyewear and posted on a blog that all you have to do is "Ask about a product on a shelf, a flier on a wall, or a long list of school supplies, and Muse can take action" and it comes in over 100 styles.

​    These are just a few of the shiny new things that the giants who live in the Silicon Valley want you to think you can’t live without.  Forget potential violations of your privacy, or the stealing of data you don’t even know is being stole or the corpulent data centers that raise your electric bills and corrupt the landscape.  The evangelists for AI will hard sell you until you buy into the idea that you can’t live without their new gizmo.  Buyer Beware!! Be very careful. The quicksand of materialism is swallowing us up.

​    Those are my thoughts.  I’m Janet Parshall.