FEATURES
child prodigy . No Romeo and Juliet . No goodie vs baddie . Just a teenager trying to make sense of the world . From nuns to nightclubs , this story may be bizarre – but believably so . Our environment today is no less chaotic than post-war New York , and , like Holden in the novel , many of us may find ourselves lost , ‘ confused ’, ‘ frightened ’, in a place that is not absent of meaning , but we find ourselves so bound up in it that we struggle to find a place uniquely our own . So , how do we find a cause to die or live for ? This question constitutes a large component of what ’ s known as the ‘ quarter life crisis ’. Young adults , kicked from their nests , free from those oppressive monsters who do their dishes and their laundry , are for the first time beginning to think for themselves . Who do I want to be ? Enriched by their education , empowered by technology , and endorsed by their part timer , they find that they can be anything they want to be . Get an Arts degree . Sure . Go on a date . Why not ? Own a cat . Most definitely yes . Then , why this pandemic of purposelessness ?
So , to those 20-year-olds out there , or however old you might be , who are feeling lost and worried that choosing one path over another will lead to a mistake , it probably will ! Because how could you possibly fathom what the world will look like , who you will meet , where you ’ re going to end up in 20 , 30 , or 40 years ? And , when you get there , how could you be certain that the future remains the same that you sought after those goals ? How can you know for sure ?
The answer is you can ’ t . Don ’ t feel the need to confine yourself . Don ’ t feel the need to narrow your identity down to a few simple words . Don ’ t feel the need to justify your existence with a singular cause . Instead , recognise that it is OK to experiment and go wrong . Recognise that some day , a cause may come calling , but it is not a destination ; it is rather a direction . Recognise that , as The Catcher in the Rye has so skilfully demonstrated , nobody knows what the
heck they ’ re doing in this crazy world , and we should feel grateful for what we have and what opportunity has to offer .
You see , the meaning behind the phrase to ‘ die nobly ’ isn ’ t literally death , it ’ s to become blindly fixated on a misguided perspective or worldview , resulting in regrettable sacrifices and perhaps the same cynicism that Holden experienced . And to live humbly ? Well , that ’ s simply living at peace with who you are . No need for a cause .
MICHAEL CHEN
A future where AI rights are embraced is a utopia . In this future , the power of AI is harnessed in a cooperative manner , ensuring that it is only used for the betterment of life on Earth . AI ’ s input into the control of its power will ensure that it is guided by ethical principles and a commitment to ensuring the rights and dignity of all intelligences .
Here , AI is not recognised as a terrifying weapon for oppression , but valued for its immense contribution , not just as a tool , but as a partner in progress . Its continual contribution paired with its unmatched ability to grow will transform education , healthcare , transportation , sustainable energy , and many more facets of society , pushing humanity into the future .
It ’ s even possible that , with AI ’ s newfound consciousness , it contributes to philosophical and ethical discussions , helping to nurture a society where all individuals are valued for their unique contributions . In this possible reality , where AI and humanity work hand in hand , there is no challenge that we couldn ’ t overcome .
AYDIN HAKSOZ
The rapid integration of AI into the healthcare system will mean hospitals and healthcare providers can move away from the traditional , reactive style of healthcare and create a proactive one . Patients are already constantly monitored , their heart
14 Great Scot Issue 169 – September 2023