In the modern world, human beings have developed new “rhythms” in the way we act, see ourselves, and interact with the people around us. A great part of our daily life now is influenced by digital technology, particularly computer algorithms. With ever increasing prevalence of digital technology in human life, the futurist Gerd Leonhard has responded to this new reality by introducing the neologism “androrithms” to call attention to the uniqueness and value of being human with our own ways and idiosyncrasies. As Christians, however, we need to highlight not only “androrithms” but “Deorithms” – the “rhythms” or the “ways” of God – which are eternal and profound, and serve as the principle against which other “rhythms” are to be created and evaluated.
ALGORITHMS
Algorithms is a mathematical process to solve a problem using a finite number of steps. In the world of computers, an algorithm is the set of instructions that defines not just what needs to be done but how to do it. In modern life, internet users encounter the prevalence of algorithms in our life especially when we use social media. Algorithms written by software engineers determine what posts are delivered to us when we access our account. They determine the advertisements that we will see when we go online. They determine what videos to suggest to us when we access YouTube, what merchandise to introduce to us when we go on Amazon, what movies we might want to watch when we log in to Netflix. These actions taken by algorithms are results of information that are collected about us whenever we access the internet to send email, to post photos and statuses on our social media account, to buy things online, to comment on a friend’s or a stranger’s post, etc. In many ways, our modern life and our everyday choices are increasingly being influenced and nudged by the computer algorithms which have permeated our digital culture.
ANDRORITHMS
This is a neologism coined by the futurist Gerd Leonhard to “describe what really matters for most of us: human ‘rhythms’ not machine rhythms i.e. algorithms.” According to Leonhard, “A super-computer can win in chess or GO but can currently not talk to a 2-year old. A person that meets me in a hallway somewhere needs an average of 1.4 seconds to gain some kind of basic understanding about me, even without speaking – a computer still does not really understand my values and feelings after it has ingested my entire browsing and social network history of the past 7 years (an estimated 200 Million data points). Androrithms include human traits such as empathy, compassion, creativity, story-telling and soon to be relicts such as mystery, serendipity, mistakes and secrets. ‘Computers are stupid – they only provide answers’ (Picasso). Computers are for answers, humans are for questions (Kevin Kelly). As I like to say: for every amazing algorithm we need to strengthen our already existing androrithm. Every technological advancement impacts on how we interact as humans, and in many future cases we will need to safeguard, hedge or kind of ‘national-parkize’ those human idiosyncrasies so that they are not diminished or even eradicated by the tendency of technology to present itself as a solution to everything. (A great example would be how people are increasingly looking towards technology to solve social challenges: political activism on Facebook (press Like rather than making sure the right people get voted), or on increasing security and digital surveillance to ‘solve’ terrorism).”[1]
DEORITHMS
Taking a cue from Leonhard, I would like to introduce the neologism “Deorithms” to refer to the “processes” of God, whose presence and inspiration are found in the Holy Spirit in our midst. We are called to be keenly aware of the “Deorithms” as we go about critically reflecting on various matters in our lives and discerning the individual and communal choices, both big and small, that we make each day. Deorithms cannot be found in mathematical formulas (algorithms) or in human neurological proccesses (androrithms). Rather, Deorithm is found in the creative breath of the Holy Spirit that gives life to the world, animating the human body and soul as well as the entire creation. Deorithm is found in the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit that impels each person to live out and advocate for the ideals of justice, peace, and harmony in the world. Deorithm is found in the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit reminding us that love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness must be spread to all corners of the world, to every nook and cranny, and to every recess where the transformative wind of the Holy Spirit might blow. Deorithm is also found in the profound wisdom of the Holy Spirit that guides us towards words and actions that promote integral human development, mutual respect, dialogue, the common good, solidarity and unity. Indeed our modern life cannot avoid the presence of algorithms and artificial intelligence. Nonetheless, it is important that our finite algorithms and androrithms are in harmony with the eternal Deorithms (the ways of God), so that we are able to sustain and flourish in our trifold relations with God, with fellow human beings and with creation in our Common Home.
Anthony Le Duc, SVD
September 29, 2021
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