Chapter 1: The Dangers of Population Decline

A declining population might seem advantageous, especially for society, but it poses challenges for the wealthy elite.

Before delving deeper, let’s take a moment to discuss the recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI). This topic has sparked considerable debate.

On one side, some view AI merely as a useful tool. They argue that the quality of creative output depends on the human input; if AI produces poor poetry, it’s the fault of the users, not the technology itself. However, others take a starkly different stance.

They liken AI to a weapon designed for harm. In their view, AI is not only potentially perilous but fundamentally so. They advocate for stringent regulations on its use, questioning whether it should be utilized at all.

I find myself somewhere in the middle. The pressing question is: what exactly constitutes this danger? In which contexts is AI harmful, and in which is it relatively harmless?

AI poses the greatest risk when controlled by individuals driven by greed and madness, particularly billionaires. The real danger arises when AI’s creations primarily benefit a select few.

Stories of artists being exploited by AI “thieves” are becoming increasingly common. The root of this issue lies in our existing system, which assigns a price tag to creativity. With the notion of "intellectual property" prevalent, many fear that their ideas could be appropriated by AI.

Under capitalism, every aspect of life is commodified. AI has made creativity significantly cheaper, challenging the traditional monopoly that human creativity once held. The creative process, now influenced by neural networks and dubious data practices, raises concerns about originality and ownership.

We often claim, “We can only write what we know.” But AI has access to an extensive repository of knowledge and shows no regard for the origins of its “inspiration.”

If we do not take steps to curb the current abuses of wealth and power, we may find ourselves in a new capitalist norm: billionaires monopolizing the best AI resources and data, creating products while crediting no one. They will employ legions of AI lawyers to fend off claims from artists, engineers, startups, and universities who contributed to the data pool.

The public may tolerate this arrangement as long as the wealthy continue to provide at least some jobs that stem from these appropriated designs.

This is precisely why influential figures like Elon Musk advocate for a growing population. More people equate to a larger pool of desperate workers and increased contributions to the data that can be exploited.

Billionaires are acutely aware that the planet does not require additional inhabitants. Instead, they seek as many impoverished individuals as possible to serve their interests. For them, it's a simple equation of supply and demand. To them, the populace is merely a commodity—cheap labor.

Fewer desperate individuals would complicate their efforts to secure low-cost labor. A reduced population would diminish competition in the job market, ultimately impacting the wealth of the affluent.

Heaven forbid the billionaires should actually engage in labor themselves.

When I hear artists lament AI-generated art, I am reminded that it’s not the tools we should blame for the gold rush but the system that equates everything with wealth. It’s a system that profits when the masses are most desperate. Is it any wonder that the rich have seen their fortunes swell during crises, including the pandemic?

The true issue is not artificial intelligence but rather the unchecked, greedy People Intelligence that drives it.

We must hold accountable those who prioritize personal gain over the common good. These billionaires, who indulge in luxury while ignoring the needs of society, are the ones perpetuating this cycle of exploitation.

AI-generated creations should be public property, as it is the populace that continually enriches the data pool that AI learns from. The benefits of AI should be reaped by everyone, not just a privileged few.

Imagine a world where AI could innovate without the constraints of ownership—where no one could claim exclusive rights to a creation. Thanks to the contributions of countless individuals, these innovations should be free for all to access.

Billionaires must become an endangered species, not the rest of us. The declining population reflects a widespread disillusionment with the future, largely due to the misleading optimism peddled by the wealthy.

The reality is that most of us feel traumatized by a bleak future, envisioning a world dominated by trillionaires living in isolation while humanity faces an uncertain fate.

These elite individuals view the world as a game for their entertainment, and a population of billions serves their interests—as long as we remain compliant and unambitious.

With their resources, they can easily manipulate the masses, ensuring our survival while disregarding our needs and well-being.

However, they are beginning to notice that we are not reproducing at the rates they desire.

Instead of reflecting on their own greed and the despair it fosters, they frame the narrative as humanity’s struggle for survival, proclaiming that we must colonize the universe.

But for what purpose? Most see it as merely a vehicle for further greed, a means to maintain their wealth and control.

In this new reality, jobs are distant from our origins, and the Earth becomes a mere concept learned in corporate training, inaccessible to the working class.

Ultimately, the wealthy wish to transport us to Mars or asteroids, exploiting our labor while minimizing costs.

This desire for a larger population is rooted in their need for a disposable workforce. They fail to recognize that they are the queens of a self-destructive hive, oblivious to the virus that capitalism has become.

So, when artists express frustration over AI’s role in their work, we must remember to critique the system rather than the individuals. The billionaires who create this environment demand endless effort from us, yet offer little in return.

If we can shift our perspective, envisioning a world where fewer people exist and billionaires are held accountable for their crimes against humanity, we might redefine AI creativity as a tool for liberation rather than oppression.

In a future where value is diminished, AI could emerge as a savior rather than a weapon.

Chapter 2: Unmasking the Reality of Population Growth

In this chapter, we will delve into the complexities of population growth, exploring the implications of AI and economic structures.

The first video, "The Surprising Benefits of a Declining Population | John Ibbitson," discusses how a shrinking population can lead to unexpected advantages for society.

The second video, "The Truth About Human Population Decline | Jennifer D. Sciubba | TED," examines the deeper truths surrounding the consequences of declining populations.