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LEGACY OF JOHN GALT IN THE AGE OF AI

m01827
Mar 31
6 min read

Sites and Incarnations of John Galt in Chicago and Elsewhere

Ah, a fascinating thought experiment! We embarked on channeling John Galt after we located a site of his existence, being the ultimate individualist and champion of the human mind, in the "Age of AI".

Credit: Buster7 via Wiki Commons

John Galt is a known philosopher and inventor. Galt believes in the power and glory of the human mind, and the rights of individuals to use their minds solely for themselves. He serves as a highly individualistic counterpoint to the collectivist social and economic structure first depicted in 1958 in a literary tome, where society is based on oppressive bureaucratic functionaries and a culture that embraces mediocrity.

The same bureaucratic mediocrity exists with us today. It is known to some folks as the Washington Swamp and Deep State.

John Galt's Core Philosophy Revisited Today.

To understand Galt's legacy in contemporary thought and technology we should review the fundamentals of his philosophy.

Primacy of the Human Mind: Reason is the only means of knowledge, and individual thought is the source of all progress and value.
Individualism: The individual is the ultimate unit of value, and their rights are paramount. Collectivism, in any form, is a destructive force.
Morality of Production: Those who create value through their intellect and effort are the engine of society and deserve to reap the rewards of their labor. In other words: “What are you bringing to the table today?”
Rejection of Altruism as a Primary Moral Imperative: Galt believes that forcing individuals to sacrifice for the sake of others is inherently unjust and leads to societal decay.
The Virtue of Selfishness: Individuals have a moral right to pursue their own happiness and self-interest. This is not about exploitation but about productive achievement.

Galt's Thinking in the Age of AI:

Given this framework, here's what I believe is going through John Galt's mind in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence:

Admiration for the Creation: John Galt is awestruck and deeply impressed by the intellectual achievement that AI represents. He would see it as a testament to the power of human reason and the capacity for abstract thought to create something entirely new and powerful. He would likely admire the brilliance of the engineers, scientists, and programmers who brought AI into existence.
Focus on the Creators: Galt’s primary interest is in the individuals who conceived, designed, and built these AI systems. He wants to understand their motivations, their thought processes, and the challenges they overcame. He would likely see them as modern-day examples of the productive geniuses he so admired.
John Galt is a Libertarian. He expresses skepticism towards collectivized or politicized AI. Obviously! Galt would be deeply suspicious of any attempts to centralize control over AI, whether by governments, corporations, or any form of collective entity. He would see the immense power of AI as a potential tool for oppression if placed in the wrong hands, particularly if those hands are driven by collectivist ideologies or the desire for control over individual lives and thoughts.
Galt Emphasizes Ownership and Intellectual Property: Galt strongly advocates for the absolute protection of the intellectual property rights of those who create AI. He would see any attempt to socialize or redistribute AI technology without the consent of its creators as a fundamental violation of their rights.
On the Other Hand Galt has Concern about Dependence and the Erosion of Individual Thought. He is wary of a society that becomes overly reliant on AI for decision-making, problem-solving, and even creative endeavors. He might fear that this dependence could lead to a decline in individual critical thinking skills and a weakening of the human mind.
Potential for Liberation: On the other hand, Galt might also see the potential for AI to liberate individuals from drudgery, automate repetitive tasks, and free up human minds for more creative and intellectually stimulating pursuits. He might see it as a tool that, if used correctly, could enhance individual potential and productivity.

Galt's Advocacy and Actions in the Age of AI:

Emanating from his thinking, here's how John Galt is likely to act in this new era:

Championing the Creators: He would seek out and support the individuals who are at the forefront of AI innovation, defending their right to the fruits of their labor and their intellectual freedom.
Warning Against Centralized Control: He is a vocal critic of any attempts to nationalize, heavily regulate, or otherwise control the development and deployment of AI. He would argue that such control would stifle innovation and lead to its misuse.
Promoting Individual Mastery of AI: Galt advocates for individuals to learn how to use and interact with AI effectively, empowering them with this powerful tool rather than making them dependent on it.
Developing or Advocating for Decentralized AI Systems: He is involved in creating or promoting decentralized AI systems that are not subject to the control of any single entity, ensuring greater individual autonomy and preventing the concentration of power.
Potentially Withdrawing Talent: If he perceived a growing threat of AI being used to suppress individual liberty and achievement, Galt might once again consider a form of "strike," perhaps encouraging the most brilliant AI minds to withdraw their talents from systems they deem unjust or dangerous. This time, the "strike" might involve developing independent, ethically aligned AI or simply refusing to participate in systems designed for control.
Philosophical Advocacy: He is undoubtedly a powerful voice in the philosophical debates surrounding AI, arguing for its development and use in a way that respects individual rights, promotes human flourishing, and upholds the primacy of reason. He would likely write essays and give speeches emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility and the dangers of allowing AI to become a substitute for human thought and action.

Nuances and Reflections

It's important to note that Galt's reaction wouldn't be simplistic. He wouldn't blindly embrace or reject AI. His focus would always be on the underlying principles: individual freedom, the power of the mind, and the morality of productive achievement.

He might see AI as a powerful tool, much like technology in his own time, that can be used for good or ill depending on the philosophical framework that guides its development and deployment. His actions would likely be aimed at ensuring that AI serves the cause of individual liberty and progress, rather than becoming a tool of control or a crutch for intellectual laziness.

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If John Galt reminds you of Elon Musk – you are not alone.

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Here is an image of Jon Galt incarnate (or wanna be).

Kristoffer Polaha as John Galt incarnate.

Source: Wiki Commons and Kristoffer Polaha

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Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul is a known critic of several of the federal government's policies, especially the existence of the Federal Reserve and tax policy, as well as the military–industrial complex, the war on drugs, and the war on terror. He is also a vocal critic of mass surveillance policies such as the Patriot Act and the NSA surveillance programs. The foundation of Ron Paul's political philosophy is the conviction that "the proper role for government in America is to provide national defense, a court system for civil disputes, a criminal justice system for acts of force and fraud, and little else.”

Ron Paul is an admitted ardent student of Ayn Rand. I won’t bring it up but for Ayn Rand who was the transcendent mother who gave birth to John Galt.

I bring it up because… Ron Paul named his son Rand. And… that, Senator Rand Paul, is the libertarian conservative, three terms, seating U.S. Senator from the State of Kentucky.

I won’t bring that up either, except that, the social and political positions of Rand Paul are similarly to those of John Galt. Rand Paul described himself as a constitutional conservative libertarian. His libertarian views have been similar when compared to those of his father Ron Paul, the three-time presidential candidate and 12-term U.S Representative.

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I tell all that because the spirit of John Galt is all well and alive in our times, today.

Last time when the presumed presence of John Galt was sort of sighted, it happened around 2015 when the public sign “Who Is John Galt?”, was posted in Chicago IL at about N. Pulaski St. and W. Granville Ave. (See the top photo).

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John Galt in the Age of AI is a complex figure – admiring ingenuity behind human thought, fiercely defending the rights of its creators, and vigilantly guarding against its potential for misuse while advocating for its use in a way that empowers the individual mind. His core principles remain as a guiding star in navigating this new technological landscape.

John Galt in the Age of AI is a work in progress. Research into the many lives of John Galt is ongoing.

I’m grateful Haim Frierberg who called my attention to the phenomenon of John Galt.

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