EMBODIMENT AS AN ACT OF REBELLION

As the world becomes obsessed over the definitions, delineations and potential devastating power of artificial intelligence, or AI, it begs the deeper question, what is the non-artificial intelligence? 

What is organic intelligence?

Well, what is intelligence? One simple answer could be just “to understand”. 

And if we run with that for the sake of it, and scratch a little deeper, it reveals connections between ‘understanding’ and tactile expression such as ‘to move between’, ‘to be close to’ and ‘to stand amongst’.

Move, close, stand, all kinetic terms, inferring a certain physicality that is a precursor to intelligence. 

So AI could be thought of as artificial physicality, if I permit myself in taking such a leap. And upon reflection, it seems only fitting that the term has such potency, as we are all becoming more accustomed to experiencing life through an artificial, digitised prism. 

Our intelligence, our way of understanding, of moving between, amongst and towards the elements of life itself, is becoming increasingly artificial. 

It is scarce that moments are simply that, moments, bereft of artificial involvement. 

So, in all this discussion around AI and its impending dominance, who says it hasn’t already become the dominant force? How are we choosing to engage with Organic Intelligence? What could that look like?

And so, I ponder the power of embodiment as an act of rebellion. If I am present with my body, my sensorial experience, unplugged from the algorithmic umbilicus, am I breaking from the status quo? Is that sanctioned?

Perhaps I am sensationalising my own paradigm, it’s highly likely. But maybe there is something there…

Perhaps through connecting to our own physicality we are reconnecting with organic intelligence. If we can move with more bodily awareness as we navigate tangible reality, could it transfer to how we are able to move between thoughts and concepts, ideas and stories? 

Could how we stand affect how we understand?

AI presents many issues, but I wonder if it also presents an invitation to come back to our first instrument of intelligence, that of our own body.