Random Thoughts (3)

Random Thoughts (3)  (Translated from Chinese by ChatGPT,  may not be accurate)

Johnny is interested in a wide array of subjects, ranging from mathematics to humanities, traversing mountains and seas. Along the way, one question he always pondered is the nature of intelligence. This query naturally arises at any stage of life, especially during exhilarating explorations in various knowledge domains, and while experiencing a range of rich and profound emotions. People naturally introspect: What is this? How do we generate these rational and emotional experiences? What is the intrinsic structure of these experiences? In addition, humans naturally crave power, and in hoping to enhance their intellectual and learning capabilities, they naturally turn their focus towards understanding the fundamental principles of intelligence.

Currently, in the field of artificial intelligence, there is a flurry of activity as scholars from various domains contribute their theories. As more people enter the field, competition intensifies, and Johnny's friends in the industry frequently complain about the difficulty of balancing work and life. Johnny personally believes that in the face of rapid industry growth, researchers must not forget their original intentions. Studying intelligence is driven by human nature's innate curiosity and desire to understand oneself, a natural extension of human innate spirituality. Research, like art, when emotional investment and positive emotions are directed towards the subject of study, can perhaps lead to greater advancements.

Reflecting back, one of Johnny's original intentions for writing this article was to explore the integration of science and humanities, and the fusion of all disciplines and fields of human knowledge. Once, a phrase by Mr. Mu Xin (perhaps quoted by him) crossed his mind: "Literature is the study of humans." Literature and rhetoric are outward expressions of human nature. The saying goes, "In the mountains, one's emotions fill the landscape; by the sea, one's thoughts overflow into the ocean." This inspires Johnny to consider that the integration of disciplines might need to be grounded in the human element itself. Humans themselves encompass various fields of human knowledge. Humanities explore human thoughts and emotions, social sciences study relationships among people and between people and society. Natural sciences focus on the environment outside humans, but firstly, humans are part of this environment and thus also subjects of study; secondly, a deeper understanding of the environment humans inhabit is a crucial aspect of human cognitive development, for example, from Thales to Galileo to Einstein, these individuals influenced the direction of thought in their eras; thirdly, the theoretical frameworks and models derived from natural sciences are used to model the human brain and psyche. With the human body as the boundary, on one side is the operation of the universe, and on the other, the flow of the mind, seemingly forming a projection where understanding one seems to invariably deepen understanding of the other.

Furthermore, the purpose of pursuing higher education and engaging in research is not solely to achieve intellectual outcomes but also to strive to become more well-rounded individuals in all aspects. Johnny, who once thought of himself as a child—an observer and learner in society, content to accept the care of others—is now, with age, beginning to wonder what impact he can bring to society. Especially, how can he use the knowledge he has gained to benefit others? (In high school, he copied the closing line of a ritual text used during the Confucian ceremony, "Eternal achievements await my successors!" Only now does he truly feel the power of those words). When he tries to answer this question, he realizes that the abstract theories from books and papers do not directly apply here. Especially with the advancement of artificial intelligence, factual and skill-based knowledge seems to be getting replaced by large language models. The most directly applicable knowledge is his understanding of people (studying mathematics seems to have genuinely deepened his understanding of people, at least through the thinking styles of those who excel in mathematics and the knowledge he gained about them). Only by understanding people is it possible to provide practical and emotional value through concrete actions ("high EQ"?). Sometimes, education, and indeed any interaction with people (like mentoring undergraduates in research), seems like an unfathomably deep subject.

Some philosophies view humans as incarnations of "Dao" ("logos" or truth), and the relationship between humans and "Dao" is synonymous with the relationships among people. Understanding people and understanding "Dao" are inseparable. Humans can promote the "Dao," and the "Dao" can enrich humans.

Related to this are two further reflections:

The first is the impact of emotions on the mind. It seems evident that learning is significantly enhanced under positive emotions. What mechanisms are involved? There is also a "safety net" effect; for example, acrobats perform with high error rates when no safety net is present due to subconscious fear and irritation. With a safety net, their minds relax, and their movements become smooth and natural, making the safety net seem superfluous. How can people regulate their emotions to enable more efficient mental processes? How can one construct an internal "safety net" to make life smooth and calm? What does such a safety net look like? Lastly, this question is also very interesting in the context of machine learning. Is it possible for neural networks to have (positive) emotions? How could this potentially enhance the learning efficiency of neural networks?

Sometimes, when one thinks and feels deeply, such beauty and tranquility emerge that words fail, and all that remains is silence. Humans seem to possess an innate spirituality that allows them to perceive profound truths from the chaotic flow of emotions, sensing the origin of all things.

The second reflection is on transportation modes. Comparatively, Johnny feels that cars represent a more rational lifestyle, while bicycles represent a more emotional one. Cars increase travel efficiency significantly, allowing people to go much farther, expanding their radius of activity several times over that of bicycles. Cars, with their complex and precise structure, are products of high rational thought. Driving requires caution and strict adherence to rules, as even a small mistake can have severe consequences. Bicycles, however, have their advantages: Johnny feels that only by riding a bicycle can one truly interact with the natural environment. It seems only by cycling through a place can one truly understand it: to feel the wind and trees by the road, the details of the streets, the subtle scents and humidity in the air, the sounds in the background, and the near, middle, and far views, slowly savoring the entire environment's emotional impression on him. These are nearly impossible from inside a car. Although biking is less efficient, it offers freedom, relaxation, and poetry.

This ties back to what I mentioned at the end of the second paragraph: the reflection between the external world and the internal mind. Compared to driving, cycling is a process where both the external and internal are in flux. The landscape changes as the self also moves. Physical movement seems to help me digest the external scenery. The wind is on my shoulders, and the stars twinkle above.

The above are immediate records of recent reflections, without further explanation or discussion. My apologies for that. I warmly welcome everyone to discuss and explore these thoughts with me anytime! Have a great weekend.