It points to a profound philosophical crisis. Since we are slowly gaining sufficient material power to reshape all aspects of the environment [0] to our whim, what material comforts should we deny ourselves and what pleasures should be embraced? Our instincts and emotions have not prepared humans for the world they inhabit.
When that problem was mainly contained to just some drugs, overeating and laziness it was a less pressing issue. Don't do drugs, basically. Exercise sometimes. But once it starts to link itself into the economy like AI does, and once we gain access to the full spectrum of options from mindless parroting to a completely acceptable emotional companion (and, one suspects, highly intelligent and wise) we have a devious conundrum on hand.
It is hard to ignore the elephant in the room here which is most people don't get seem to have relationships that they really enjoy. It is reserved for the very lucky and those with low expectations.
[0] Beyond AI, although AI is probably the interesting facet right now.
When that problem was mainly contained to just some drugs, overeating and laziness it was a less pressing issue. Don't do drugs, basically. Exercise sometimes. But once it starts to link itself into the economy like AI does, and once we gain access to the full spectrum of options from mindless parroting to a completely acceptable emotional companion (and, one suspects, highly intelligent and wise) we have a devious conundrum on hand.
It is hard to ignore the elephant in the room here which is most people don't get seem to have relationships that they really enjoy. It is reserved for the very lucky and those with low expectations.
[0] Beyond AI, although AI is probably the interesting facet right now.