“But who is more ignorant? The man who cannot define lightning, or the man who does not respect its awesome power?” -Dan Brown, Angels and Demons
“Indeed, like the men of old, he is engaged in constructing a tower whose apex should pierce heaven,” -Joseph Soloveitchik, The Lonely Man of Faith
It’s not often that mid-20th century Orthodox Jewish teachings end up on the New York Times Bestseller list, but that was indeed the case when David Brooks’ bestseller, The Road to Character, vaulted its way up the charts back in 2015. Throughout the book, Brooks discusses the role in modern society of “Resume virtues” vs “Eulogy virtues”. He describes Resume virtues as the wealth and experiences that would fit in a business bio, while the Eulogy virtues are the stories and traits you would expect to hear celebrated at someone’s funeral. Resume virtues, such as intelligence and success, are defined by creation, competition and domination whereas Eulogy virtues, like kindness and humility, are derived from selflessness, sacrifice, and the depth of one’s relationship with others and the universe.
This framing of Resume vs Eulogy virtues was inspired by an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, Joseph Soloveitchik, one of the most influential American religious thinkers in the 20th century. In his most famous book, The Lonely Man of Faith, he argues the two different stories of the human creation presented in Genesis are in fact intentional, representing the two different purposes God intended for mankind.
In Soloveitchik’s telling, the Adam of the first creation story, Adam 1, is Resume Adam. This Adam is ordered by God, “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.”1 This is the Adam of progress- the one whose purpose is to bend the universe to his control and create greater and greater wonders. To utilize God’s greatest gift to mankind, intelligence, to create a more dignified world. As Soloveitchik puts it, “Man is a dignified being and to be human means to live with dignity” and man acquires dignity by greater mastery over his environment.
Adam 2 of the second creation story is “Redeemed Adam” or what Brooks refers to as “Eulogy Adam”. This Adam asks not “how?” but “why?" The Adam of prayer and reflection, who instead of striving to conquer the world around him, focuses on knowing his creator and loved ones deeper and deeper. This Adam exists in a sacrificial relationship (redemption and love require sacrifice) with his creator and loved ones- understanding that he has done nothing to “deserve” this love. These relationships are not transactional or logical like the worldly relationships that define Adam 1. This is why Soloveitchik describes Adam 2 as “madly in love”- Adam 2 begins where logic and intellect fail. This allows Adam 2 to find his creator at the depths of suffering rather than the heights of dignity, discovering comfort and purpose beyond that provided by society or his own intellect.
To Soloveitchik, these two callings of man were equally important and often in conflict- creating his metaphor of the “Lonely Man of Faith” fated to wander back and forth between these two camps. In his words, “God created two Adams and sanctioned both. Rejection of either aspect of humanity would be tantamount to an act of disapproval of the divine scheme… the majestic (Adam 1) community is willed by God as much as the faith community.”
However, Soloveitchik warns that, in modern society, Adam 1 has rejected Adam 2 as something superfluous and obsolete in his quest to dominate the cosmos. He’s not talking about atheism here. Instead, he sees Western man trying to engage God on transactional terms rather than the humbling relationship at the core of Adam 2 of total sacrifice and capitulation to a greater power. "He seeks not the greatness found in sacrificial action but the convenience one discovers in a comfortable, serene state of mind…. Alas, he wants to be successful even in his adventure with God. If he gives of himself to God, he expects reciprocity.”
Soloveitchik concludes that man has taken such pride in his ability to create and dominate that he sees those as an end in itself- rather than as just a part of what defines his humanity. Modern Man has declared Adam 1 the victor over Adam 2. David Brooks makes a similar conclusion about modern society valuing Resumes over Eulogies in The Road to Character, and I even see strong elements of this argument in my friend Sahil’s recent bestseller, The 5 Types of Wealth.” All argue, at points, that our society has become uniquely focused on progress for progress's sake, and on the achievement of outward dignity/majesty at the expense of wonder, depth, and humility.
I find this passage from Soloveitchik as particularly powerful in examining the challenge Adam 2 has with connecting with Adam 1 in today’s society.
“How staggering this incompatibility is! [Adam 2]’s unique message speaks of defeat instead of success, of accepting a higher will instead of commanding, of giving instead of conquering, or retreating instead of advancing, of acting “irrationally” instead of being always reasonable. Here the tragic event occurs- [Adam 1] rejects his dialectal assignment and, with it, the man of faith.”
In other words, how do you tell a man in a capitalist society that money isn’t the goal? Or a student that grades are not how one should keep score? Or an AI scientist that the frontier does not matter? In a world where man has conquered land, sea, and yes, even space, humility feels less like a virtue and more like a weakness. And that is where tragedy strikes.
For, it is blindingly clear to me that AI will surpass Adam 1. And what does it mean to be Adam 1 and obsolete? For if man only measures himself by what he can dominate and create, what happens when he creates something more intelligent and powerful than himself?
Humanity will have to reckon with this existential shift. Will we attempt to compete with our creation? Will we alter our very nature to prioritize survival above all else? Or will we rediscover the wisdom of Adam 2?
I see three possible futures:
Stagnation and Replacement
A Reprioritization towards Existence (Evolution or Devolution)
Resolution with Adam 2
Stagnation and Replacement:
In the 1st creation story, God’s command to mankind was to “fill the earth and subdue it”. But how was man to accomplish that goal? He did not have claws and teeth like a tiger, or the power of a hurricane. In fact, on paper versus the rest of creation, man looks outmatched- with one great exception. Man is intelligent. He can think. And with his mind, he has created weapons that have turned predators into prey and shelters that have rendered even the greatest storms innocuous. In this way, intelligence is humanity’s most formidable tool.
Therefore, I find it logical that humanity has valued intelligence more and more over the centuries. How often have we heard that this or that problem could be solved if we just had a little more data, a little more computing power, a little more time? To the modern man, every problem is like a nail to the hammer of intelligence- the answers outside our grasp are simply due to not having enough “intelligence” at this time. The push into AI is just a natural next step in this never-ending quest for more knowledge.
Now, before delving further, I want to emphasize that I believe the man with AI to be more dignified than the man without. With AI, Adam 1 has furthered his purpose, creating a more majestic existence for humankind. However, I see a fatal flaw in this relationship between Adam 1 and his creation. With AI, I believe Adam 1 has created a partner, a peer, rather than something that can be subdued and controlled. Do we really think we can dominate something that is more intelligent than we are for any significant period of time? I find it highly unlikely.
But then, why can’t Adam 1 have a partner? This goes back to the same problem that Adam 1 has with Adam 2. For an unconstrained Adam 1 is a being of creation and domination. And to truly dominate the universe, in the words of Highlander, “There can only be one”. Therefore, in an existence without Adam 2, I see Adam 1 naturally coming to at odds with his creation, AI. And if we agree that the most formidable tool of humanity is intelligence, what do we think is the natural outcome of a conflict when humanity runs into a more intelligent force?
Now, this statement instantly conjures up apocalyptic images of Terminator and The Matrix. I don’t think this is how it ends. I actually think this conflict is more likely subtle and bloodless and in fact, is occurring as we speak. I think of it as some version of evolutionary Innovator’s Dilemma.2 Over time, we are going to outsource more and more of our thinking and our “dominance over creation” to AI.3 This will only fuel AI to even greater advantage over its human creators, leading to even more tasks being outsourced. At a certain point, this flywheel will become irreversible, and humans will become the ones reliant on AI to dominate creation for them. At that point, who is the master and who is the slave? Once we no longer have a calling to think, create and dominate, what does humanity do?
One path is we stay around for as long as the AI wants us around, and then we fade into the darkness. Just another step on the evolutionary way. But I see another path as well- if you can’t beat them, join them.
Existence Above All
In the series, “Hyperion”, the Technicore is the ultimate outcome of humanity’s creation of AI- an autonomous grouping of intelligences who serve as both an ally and adversary of humanity. When the heroes of the book confront elements of the Technicore over its purpose and reasoning in human affairs, it is revealed that the Technicore sees existence as its ultimate priority. Everything is secondary to the core AIs to the preservation of its own existence.
The same logic could drive humanity. Just as progress has become an end in itself in the modern age, couldn’t mere existence become Adam 1’s ultimate pursuit? Before commanding Adam 1 to dominate and subdue, didn’t God first create him? Therefore, by this logic, domination is contingent on existence, so existence should be considered the greater goal.
However, it has always struck me that existence for existence's sake is a cold and zero-sum existence. Cultures from across the globe are filled with tales of warnings for those who pursue eternal life solely for that purpose.4 In that tragic vein, I see two potential paths for humanity if existence itself becomes the final goal for Adam 1:
Evolution Into Man + Machine
One path is a merging of man and machine in pursuit of higher levels of intelligence. In many ways, this is just a natural extension of what Adam 1 has done over the centuries, melding himself to technology to further his domination and mastery. AI will quickly become humanity’s most intimate friend, pushing dogs off their pedestal. We will see individuals, communities and nations obsessed with tinkering and progressing their AIs- each looking to create something superior in intelligence to their neighbors.
However, this is where an obsession with existence has a dark side. Because throughout humankind, humans were constrained by their own intelligence and lifespan. These provided natural constraints on how much control humans could have over nature and each other. But in AI, humankind has birthed an ally that will shatter both of these constraints. Thanks to an ally that does not need sleep or motivation, the person or nation with the AI advantage should be able to dominate his neighbor indefinitely. Think of a scenario if the US maintained its position as the only nuclear power after WWII. It would have sat an unchallenged master of the globe because it controlled the ultimate weapon. I see the race towards an ultimate intelligence as having similar stakes and rewards.
But do these stakes really mean that this merging of man and machine is a zero-sum game? kill or be killed? Again, it depends on humanity’s purpose, and if it truly is just existence, I don’t see a different outcome on this path. It is a giant Prisoner’s dilemma.5 Every interest group has the incentive to create a dominant AI that could dominate their neighbor, because if they don’t, they are doomed to be dominated if one of their neighbors chooses the domination path. This is why the Technicore in Hyperion is naturally parasitic. With existence as their only goal, they were doomed to an eternal arms race against their neighbor, and I believe humanity will suffer the same fate if we make existence our beacon.
Devolution
The other potential path I see if man chooses to prioritize existence is basically a Luddite fantasy, but one you can see elements of in today’s discussion of AI safety. There are many thinkers and regulators who are rightfully concerned with humanity’s ability to control AI over the medium-term. This has been the major driver in the increasing AI regulations that we have seen out of the US and Europe over the last two years- where nations are trying to gain a larger seat at the table of this technological revolution. So, what stops these nations, especially after some sort of great tragedy, from banding together and banning AI in order to preserve human existence.
Now, as discussed above, I see the same great Prisoner’s dilemma here that we observed with nuclear weapons. In a world where AI technology exists, any individual or nation state that possesses AI will have a decisive advantage over its neighbor. Therefore, game theory states the natural equilibrium is that countries will not give up their access to AI willingly, as it would make them very vulnerable to any opposing party.
But let’s assume for a minute that we overcome game theory. The question I think worth thinking about, is what do we think a world where AI is banned looks like in 100 years? AI is one of the great hopes for humanity’s future. We look to be on the verge of massive breakthroughs in multiple spheres, including drug development and battery composition. We are democratizing intelligence across the globe. By banning AI, wouldn’t humanity be dooming itself to a staler existence?
And in a world that is willing to ban AI, what makes us think that we would stop there? Would the computer be next? What about books? Humanity has progressed and gained dignity over the centuries largely thanks to its willingness to risk new technologies and ideas. I don’t think a world that bans AI is an equilibrium that Adam 1 could ultimately accept. As defined above, Adam 1 is created by God to pursue dignity, creation, and domination. Pure existence knowing that something greater could be achieved just feels like an anathema to the human experience. In this way, AI is like the fire from Prometheus. And once one has experience fire’s warmth and power, it is hard to envision a life without it.
Reconciliation with Adam 2
Now to hope. As we have established extensively above, AI will present problems that Adam 1 will not be able to solve. For the first time, we are staring at a creation that is better than we are in the very things modern society has determined our worth out of.
AI will always have a perfect ACT score
AI will diagnose your disease better than any doctor
AI will code faster
AI will write better
AI will build companies where humans will only be needed to man the front desk (or they may just go with robots)6
AI and their robots will build higher, run faster, fight harder
Adam 1 is doomed to be outmatched, and if we humans are obsolete, where does our purpose lie? For the first time in centuries, humanity will be knocked off the heights of dignity into the depths. But the beautiful thing about humanity is part of us is meant to thrive in the depths. Adam 1 does not need to take this AI journey alone. He has Adam 2.
And Adam 2 is made for the AI moment.
This part of us, devalued in modern society, does not find its purpose in accomplishments and intelligence. Adam 2 innately understands that it is not what he creates that makes him human, but that he was created human. That dignity is not wrestled out of nature but instilled by a Creator, that purpose is not achieved but rather experienced, and one falls into love rather than conquers it.
Because he has purpose outside of his intellect, Adam 2 can recognize AI as a partner rather than a competitor. He has the humility to step aside and the wisdom to understand that AI allows him to focus on the things that he believes are most important- his relationship with his God and his loved ones. Now, this does not diminish the dangers that AI can potentially pose. But if we are more than just intellect, a being with greater intellect does not make us obsolete. If we have greater purpose than existence, then we are no longer in a zero-sum trap that results in an endless race or stagnation.
Instead, I have an optimistic view that AI will topple the “intellectual Tower of Babel”7 modern man has built over the last 500 years. Rather than pursuing knowledge for its own sake, we are at the precipice of a world where countless hours- once slavishly devoted to progress- are freed.
And we can ask ourselves: what wonderful future may Adam 1, Adam 2 and AI build together? If we humans are freed to focus on those we love, on the greater questions that begin with why, and on the virtues that define a life well lived- what might we become? How beautiful will our eulogies be?
Genesis 1:28
Innovator’s Dilemma: Business maxim introduced by Clayton Christensen where established companies are prone to disruption by smaller companies who focus on lower-margin tasks that the established business is willing to outsource. Eventually, the smaller companies will move up the value chain thanks to their control of the core business/larger company ability to produce atrophies. The Innovator's Dilemma - Wikipedia
The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking: Self-Reported Reductions in Cognitive Effort and Confidence Effects From a Survey of Knowledge Workers - Microsoft Research
From Chat GPT: Many myths and cautionary tales across cultures explore the pursuit of eternal life and the unintended consequences that come with it. These stories often serve as warnings about the dangers of hubris, greed, or misunderstanding the nature of existence. Here are some of the most notable:
Greek Mythology: Tithonus – The Curse of Eternal Life Without Eternal Youth
The Story:
Tithonus, a mortal prince of Troy, was loved by Eos, the goddess of the dawn. She asked Zeus to grant Tithonus immortality, but she forgot to ask for eternal youth. As a result, Tithonus lived forever but continued to age, eventually withering into a fragile, mindless husk.The Lesson:
The myth warns that eternal life, without youth or health, is a curse rather than a blessing. It serves as a reminder to be careful what you wish for, as unintended consequences can be worse than the original problem.
The Epic of Gilgamesh – The Futility of Immortality
The Story:
After the death of his best friend, Enkidu, King Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with avoiding his own mortality. He embarks on a journey to find Utnapishtim, the only man granted immortality by the gods. Utnapishtim tells him that immortality is beyond human reach and tests him to see if he is worthy—Gilgamesh fails. Even after finding a plant that restores youth, he loses it to a serpent, symbolizing the inescapability of death.The Lesson:
The story underscores the inevitability of death and the folly of trying to escape it. Instead, it suggests that true meaning comes from how one lives, not how long one lives.
Christianity: The Wandering Jew – A Curse of Endless Life
The Story:
According to legend, a man mocked Jesus on the way to the crucifixion and was cursed to wander the Earth until the Second Coming. Over the centuries, he watches civilizations rise and fall but can never rest or die.The Lesson:
This tale serves as a warning about arrogance and cruelty. It also reflects the idea that eternal life without an end can be a punishment rather than a reward, especially if one is forced to witness history unfold without personal connection or resolution.
Chinese Mythology: The White Snake – The Price of Defying the Natural Order
The Story:
In one version of this tale, Madame White Snake, a benevolent serpent spirit, seeks immortality through alchemy. However, her pursuit of eternal life causes conflict with a Buddhist monk, who ultimately imprisons her. Her ambition leads to suffering for herself and her loved ones.The Lesson:
The story warns against tampering with the natural order and suggests that seeking eternal life may lead to unintended harm, especially when it conflicts with moral or spiritual balance.
Arthurian Legend: The Holy Grail and the Fisher King
The Story:
In some versions of the Grail legend, the Fisher King is cursed with immortality due to his wounds. He can never heal, and his land suffers with him. Only a worthy knight who understands the meaning of the Grail can bring relief.The Lesson:
This tale suggests that eternal life without purpose or fulfillment can be a form of suffering. The true "grail" is not immortality, but wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.
Norse Mythology: The Apples of Idunn – The Gods’ Dependence on Youth
The Story:
The Norse gods rely on magical apples from the goddess Idunn to maintain their youth. When she is kidnapped, they begin to age rapidly, revealing that even divine beings are not naturally immortal.The Lesson:
The story suggests that even the powerful are vulnerable to time and that external sources of immortality are unreliable. It also warns against complacency, as the gods nearly lose their strength when they take their immortality for granted.
Japanese Folklore: The Tale of Urashima Tarō – A Price for Time
The Story:
A fisherman, Urashima Tarō, saves a turtle and is rewarded with a visit to the Dragon Palace under the sea. He stays for what feels like a few days, but when he returns to the surface, hundreds of years have passed, and everyone he knew is gone. He opens a mysterious box given to him by the princess, only to instantly age and die.The Lesson:
The tale warns against losing touch with the world and the irreversible nature of time. Even if one escapes death temporarily, life moves forward, and there is always a price to pay.
Hindu Mythology: Ravana and His Ten Heads – The Limits of Power
The Story:
Ravana, the demon king, undergoes severe penance to gain near-immortality from the gods. However, his arrogance and unchecked power lead to his downfall at the hands of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu.The Lesson:
This story warns that even those who come close to immortality are still vulnerable. The greater lesson is that morality and righteousness are more important than eternal life.
Common Themes Across These Tales:
Eternal life often comes with unintended consequences (aging, loneliness, or loss of purpose).
Hubris and overreaching ambitions lead to suffering.
True meaning comes not from living forever, but from how one chooses to live.
Mortality gives life meaning—without it, existence can feel hollow.
Would you like more details on any of these?
One of the core puzzles presented in game theory where two parties benefit from cooperating, but do not capture this benefit because their individual incentives tell them to betray their partner. Prisoner's dilemma - Wikipedia
Tower of Babel