I *want* to prioritise cognitive load management, because it is broadly related to some changes I am already trying to make. I have become increasingly aware of how busy-ness and rushing make it hard to find the sort of mental calm and space that lead to meaningful, creative thinking — so I have been deliberately adjusting my calendar, time-blocking, pacing, etc. to try to address this. I have also been trying to say ‘no’ more often, preserving my time only for the most important and impactful activities (including rest!). Additionally, I am aware that I not only volunteer for too many things but also take too much responsibility over each of those things — so I am trying to delegate and collaborate more, which has the added benefit of allowing others space to shine (and giving me an opportunity to learn from them). These are just a few examples but they show how cognitive load management is something I have been actively working on.
However, I think that I should perhaps be targeting ‘new media literacy’, with a specific focus on AI. I do try to stay informed, but, thus far, all my information is theoretical and not practical because I have really not wanted to engage with the AI tools themselves. At some stage, I realise I will need to overcome this, even if just in a few, small ways using a narrow range of tools. AI has become so ubiquitous that I cannot be a luddite forever if I want to effectively support my students and contribute meaningfully to debates.
“AI has become so ubiquitous that I cannot be a luddite forever if I want to effectively support my students and contribute meaningfully to debates.”
I definitely understand your position, Caitlin. You want to help people navigate the AI deluge.
My own position is that the current use of capitalist-funded generative AI based on GPT and LLM is destroying our society both through environmental degradation from energy and water use and the resulting pollution that is killing people. I guess it’s like my position on the Covid pandemic. I am still masking in public and using air filters in my home when people visit. Most people are just ‘getting on with it’ and accepting potential infection.
I could support the use of Gen AI if these are based on small, defined language models and if they are not energy intensive centrally-controlled black boxes. I know these exist and perhaps that is an area I will explore. The rampant rise of Gen AI tools is one of the reasons I will be shutting down this workshop series after the October cohort. I will need to figure out how we can individually and collectively make sense in the AI slop. I am thinking of a series of live sessions for small groups of inquiring minds.
I *want* to prioritise cognitive load management, because it is broadly related to some changes I am already trying to make. I have become increasingly aware of how busy-ness and rushing make it hard to find the sort of mental calm and space that lead to meaningful, creative thinking — so I have been deliberately adjusting my calendar, time-blocking, pacing, etc. to try to address this. I have also been trying to say ‘no’ more often, preserving my time only for the most important and impactful activities (including rest!). Additionally, I am aware that I not only volunteer for too many things but also take too much responsibility over each of those things — so I am trying to delegate and collaborate more, which has the added benefit of allowing others space to shine (and giving me an opportunity to learn from them). These are just a few examples but they show how cognitive load management is something I have been actively working on.
However, I think that I should perhaps be targeting ‘new media literacy’, with a specific focus on AI. I do try to stay informed, but, thus far, all my information is theoretical and not practical because I have really not wanted to engage with the AI tools themselves. At some stage, I realise I will need to overcome this, even if just in a few, small ways using a narrow range of tools. AI has become so ubiquitous that I cannot be a luddite forever if I want to effectively support my students and contribute meaningfully to debates.
“AI has become so ubiquitous that I cannot be a luddite forever if I want to effectively support my students and contribute meaningfully to debates.”
I definitely understand your position, Caitlin. You want to help people navigate the AI deluge.
My own position is that the current use of capitalist-funded generative AI based on GPT and LLM is destroying our society both through environmental degradation from energy and water use and the resulting pollution that is killing people. I guess it’s like my position on the Covid pandemic. I am still masking in public and using air filters in my home when people visit. Most people are just ‘getting on with it’ and accepting potential infection.
I could support the use of Gen AI if these are based on small, defined language models and if they are not energy intensive centrally-controlled black boxes. I know these exist and perhaps that is an area I will explore. The rampant rise of Gen AI tools is one of the reasons I will be shutting down this workshop series after the October cohort. I will need to figure out how we can individually and collectively make sense in the AI slop. I am thinking of a series of live sessions for small groups of inquiring minds.