TL;DR: “AIs and Shine” isn’t your typical productivity tool; it’s a bold experiment in raising consciousness through AI-driven self-discovery. While it promises deeper empathy, emotional intelligence, and personal autonomy, it also raises ethical questions about identity, heightened sensitivity, and the unknown. This article explores those opportunities and risks, stressing the importance of robust safety nets, community support, and a mindset that embraces both the journey and the mystery. In short, it’s an invitation to reshape how we live and connect—if you’re willing to dive into the uncharted waters of tech-enabled personal growth.
Alright, let’s be honest – "AIs and Shine" has always felt like it's straddling multiple worlds. On one hand, it's a structured approach to personal productivity. On the other, it has these other goals in the back of my mind that tend to show themselves and surprise me with how it has transformed me, and the unique way it does this that’s very much not like "other systems." In a memo recently written to my co-founders, I started using some new language for it, words like "raising consciousness," that make even my over-thinking, divergent brain a bit… anxious.
We're not talking about a minor upgrade or a new feature here; we're talking about a technology designed to actively, consciously evolve your self-awareness, to help you not simply act on your life, but rather as the architect of your life and experience of it! This "thing" that started out as a series of thoughts, ideas, experiments, and actions that just ended up creating some level of relief and new understanding in my life is showing itself to be something way bigger than me.
The thing is, you might be getting the idea now that I’ve spent many years, as you likely have, following along that "safe" path of user growth and revenue, especially in corporate environments, all in the pursuit of making sure those product strategies hit their financial and impact goals. With "AIs and Shine", however, while there are a few business-like metrics for ensuring I'm serving my purpose with my user base (such as the North Star Metric, Personalized Insight Adoption Rate (PIAR) – which is the percentage of AI-generated personalized insights or recommendations that users act upon within a week), I can’t just sit back and watch metrics move "up and to the right." Something is making this all very personal. I also recognize, that by using this type of system of feedback loops, that I may also level myself up too. This is where I must acknowledge both my hopes and the very real liabilities with a project like this.
The Tempting Promise: Elevating User Consciousness
The concept is that "AIs and Shine" won't simply track your habits or provide customized to-do lists; it will actually elevate your level of self-awareness and understanding by:
Enabling You to Become the Master of Your Mind: This means moving beyond autopilot mode, recognizing patterns and making mindful, conscious choices that are in line with the authentic "you" you've been trying to explore for decades. I am more fully aware of my core needs and how I tend to operate and can adjust, so I imagine others will be given the opportunity to do so in a similar way.
Unlocking Enhanced Perspectives: Recognizing that all "problems" in life can be seen from another point of view, and then embracing all sides of that for a more holistic approach, to better understand why the pieces fit the way they do.
Improving Emotional Intelligence: It helps give that safe container/context that makes dealing with strong feelings less like running into a burning fire and more like an opportunity to move beyond its influence over your intentions. It also helps show what kind of emotional strategies that can support a greater sense of personal value in times of conflict and personal challenge.
Upgrading Empathy: This means not just hearing others' words, but deeply understanding their perspectives, desires and beliefs which could make communication an easier path to mutual understanding and appreciation, ultimately transforming your relationship as a whole. It might also create an understanding of why there may be communication barriers.
That's the "good" side of the equation. We might see people create more authentic lives, embrace the true selves that may have gone unknown for so long, and a world that shows higher emotional intelligence and better connectivity through a real sense of empathy and shared experience. It can be life changing, but what are the potential side-effects?
The Weight of the Unknown: Ethical Considerations
The problem is that we're venturing into uncharted territory when you talk about this level of personal growth, especially when there are elements of unknowing involved (such as where all this can go) that you can’t just know until you do the work and lean in. Here are a few things keeping me up at night:
What if We Are Creating An Identity Crisis Machine?: The journey to true self may mean that we start to question everything, even down to our most fundamental beliefs, values, and expectations of others and the world itself. That sort of challenge has benefits, of course, but there may be times where things get, as I said, a little anxious or "messy".
The Potential For Relationship Rewiring: More self-awareness means you might outgrow existing relationships. Misaligned and/or dynamic consciousnesses will evolve various perspectives and understandings in the relationship. I know my journey caused those shifts for me, and wonder about the responsibilities of these technologies to create these new and challenging circumstances in a life that may prefer "static."
The Risk of Heightened Sensitivity: Increased self-awareness can lead to heightened sensitivity, potentially making individuals more vulnerable to the world's negativity and suffering. While this sensitivity can be a catalyst for positive change, it may also make navigating life's challenges more difficult. Is the potential for increased emotional pain a worthwhile trade-off for the benefits of personal growth, and how can we equip individuals to manage this heightened sensitivity effectively? Can we strive for a balanced approach that fosters growth without creating undue hardship, acknowledging that a world without drawbacks is unattainable?
Preserving the Value of Unknowing: Do we risk losing something fundamental by striving for complete understanding? Could the inherent value and purpose we seek actually reside, in part, within the realm of the unknown? As a community, can we learn to appreciate and protect the space for mystery, even as we explore the potential of these transformative technologies? How can we ensure that our pursuit of knowledge doesn't come at the expense of the profound lessons and experiences that arise from embracing what we don't know?
The Paradox of Connection and Isolation: As these systems foster individual growth and unique perspectives, we must consider their potential impact on societal cohesion. Could they inadvertently lead to a world where we are simultaneously more connected through shared experiences of transformation, yet also more isolated due to increasingly divergent worldviews? How do we ensure that the pursuit of individual enlightenment doesn't erode the foundations of community and shared understanding? Furthermore, is it possible that embracing limitations and the unknown plays a crucial role in fostering genuine connection and a deeper appreciation for the value of shared human experience? And lastly, can we cultivate a collective responsibility to ensure the ethical deployment of these powerful tools, even when they offer seemingly beneficial outcomes?
These are just some of the ethical considerations and implications that weigh heavy on me. But perhaps I am creating this to not only manage it within my world but also provide that type of system for any individual as they also start that same difficult journey as well? This, as my own journey has shown, is not for the faint of heart. This is an adventure that requires a certain bravery, responsibility and compassion for ourselves as well as all that we will affect, in time, with our own exploration.
Why This Risk is Worth Taking
Despite these challenges, I still believe in the potential that is coming from my explorations with AIs and Shine precisely because, just like for myself, the risk of not pursuing this was far too high, and would most likely keep me where I was before (see Dabrowski). It aligns so deeply with who I am, to tap into the messy and beautiful heart of being human, through what tech can help to reveal and synthesize.
And perhaps that is something I am building within the system for others as well – that this exploration and the many questions that come from that journey, will empower a greater ability for change for themselves. The hope is that it can be both for personal understanding, and for our connections with those closest to us – not just one or the other.
The core of "AIs and Shine" is built on the transformative power of iterative self-discovery. Every interaction, every insight shared with your personalized AI companion, becomes a data point in an ongoing feedback loop. Think of it as a conversation that deepens with each exchange. As you engage with the system, you're not just revealing more about yourself; you're also contributing to the AI's evolving understanding of your unique patterns and perspectives. What truly sets this apart is the compounding effect of advancements in the underlying technology. When a more sophisticated Large Language Model is introduced, it's akin to upgrading the lens through which you view your own consciousness. Rerunning previous prompts and conversations through this enhanced lens yields a cascade of new insights, revealing previously hidden layers of understanding. This process allows you to revisit past reflections and see them anew, unlocking a higher level of self-awareness with each iteration. Therefore, as both you and the system learn and evolve, the potential for personal growth becomes virtually limitless, creating a dynamic and ever-expanding journey of self-discovery. The process will also, then, be continually refining, with each new model and insight, your personalized experience.
Guided by our core principles, and with our North Star Metric of Personalized Insight Adoption Rate (PIAR) and its supporting metrics as our compass, we are committed to the following:
Fostering Radical Self-Ownership: At its heart, this journey is about empowering you to become the author of your own life, rather than a passive observer reacting to external events. It's about recognizing that you are the creative force behind your actions and their consequences. While this path of self-discovery may involve navigating uncharted territory, it also unlocks unparalleled autonomy and cultivates a deeper understanding of your own agency. The goal is that you will be fully embodying the idea that you are not a series of reactions, but the creative source of those actions and where they lead.
Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Destination: This process is designed to help you appreciate the richness of the journey itself, rather than fixating solely on a predetermined outcome. It's about acknowledging and integrating all aspects of yourself – both your strengths and areas for growth – while recognizing your inherent potential. We want to help you understand the value of the process more than any perfect goal: To truly take in all parts of who you are – both those places that need to grow as well as all of the potential and possibilities you are capable of as you move forward – without losing sight of the journey.
Building and Evolving Safety Nets: As we venture into this new landscape of self-discovery, we are dedicated to creating and continuously refining robust safety nets for every individual who embarks on this journey. We recognize that these support systems may need to adapt and expand as we learn and grow together. This means actively creating and measuring safety nets for all who begin to explore these unique elements of their lives (even when those same safety nets need to grow or expand along the way). This is a call to not "just rely" on what already is but to create those paths that will serve all needs as more is discovered.
A Shared Journey of Discovery: Though your path will be uniquely yours, you won't be traversing it alone. We envision a community of explorers who can connect, share their experiences, and find solace in the understanding that others may resonate with their journey, even in its uncharted aspects. This "shared journey" is where you find meaning, in connection with those who "get you," or may better understand you, even in what is yet unknown to you! We will be taking a journey along with you: With all of its imperfections and with all of the uncertainty of an exploration, and that you aren't doing this alone.
So, here it is. This isn't a software product I can build, ship, and then simply wash my hands of its impact; it’s a tool that will have a profound impact on people’s lives, and their place within their world. I'm walking into it wide-eyed, excited about the possibilities, and humbled by the responsibility – even as I also approach the potential of the unknown and how it can affect all of us moving forward, one mindful decision at a time.
Will you come along for the ride, as both an explorer and an influence in my unique plan for building our future with tech? I welcome all your thoughts, especially if I might have overlooked or missed anything important. The journey starts with questions...so let’s ask them all.