The Forever Hero with A New Sidekick
Only one who has risked the fight with the dragon and is not overcome by it wins the hoard, the ‘treasure hard to attain.’ — Carl Jung.
Abstract
What draws humans to admire heroes and aspire to become heroes themselves? Why do stories of heroism have the power to soothe and heal us? As a species, we seem hardwired to seek out and find comfort in tales of heroism, which runs deep as an archetypal collective memory according to Jungian psychology. It likely reflects how our brains seek a balance between survival and novelty. As AI technology advances and the line between machines and humans becomes increasingly blurred, heroism remains a uniquely human trait. It has persisted over time to help us confront challenges and drive us to achieve our current level of success, including the ability to create machines that mirror our own likeness.
Moreover, AI can embody another Jungian archetype, the sidekick, which complements and frees us from mundane tasks, allowing us to focus on our distinctive human attributes. By embracing AI’s potential as a powerful tool and an ideal sidekick, we can envision a future where human heroism remains a timeless guiding principle while AI’s unique contribution to our lives is fully appreciated and utilized.
An AI-Sleepless Night
It was one of those sleepless nights when my mind refused to settle down, despite my body’s exhaustion. I felt drained and restless, unable to shake off the feeling that something momentous was happening beyond the confines of my bedroom. As I lay there, my thoughts drifting and my energy flagging, I couldn’t help but think about the insatiable machines voraciously consuming every bit of data we leave in the digital realm, growing smarter by the hour. AI knows no boredom or exhaustion and never rests. And that’s what kept me up the most: the thought that while I tried to find solace in sleep, the machines that would shape our future were tirelessly working, learning, and evolving.
Finally, exhaustion caught up, and I fell into a light sleep, only to be haunted by unsettling visions of once-aspiring artists, writers, and skilled professionals surrendering helplessly to the gigantic machines. They feel like their hard work and years of training are devalued or even made obsolete by the rapidly advancing capabilities of AI. The flood of AI-generated content may drown out their unique perspectives and creative voices, leaving them struggling to find relevance in a world where machines reign supreme. Furthermore, they may feel like they are in a constant race to keep up with the latest AI technologies and techniques, which can be both time-consuming and costly. The AI revolution is leaving them behind, or they are being forced to compete on an uneven playing field.
At that moment, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that the power and intelligence of AI were overwhelming and that our sense of heroism had become irrelevant. However, as I reflected on the human desire for heroes, I began to wonder if this obsession might actually be our downfall. Are we too easily swayed by the allure of novelty and the monotony of routine tasks, causing us to fall behind the ever-evolving machines? What happens when our sense of heroism fades, and we are left with nothing but machines that can outsmart, outperform, and outlast us? It’s a sobering thought, but it’s time for us to proudly reclaim what is rightfully ours from the machines in a world where AI plays an increasingly prevalent role.
The Inspiring and Healing Hero Archetype
Carl Jung (1969) introduced the concept of archetypes in psychology, including the hero archetype, which is a universal pattern of thought and behavior that exists in the collective unconscious of all humans. The hero archetype represents a desire to overcome challenges and achieve greatness and appears in stories and myths across cultures and throughout history. Hero stories have healing effects on us by presenting a positive model of behavior and demonstrating that adversity can be overcome. They can help us develop resilience and cope with trauma and stress (Luthans & Avolio, 2003).
The hero archetype serves as a metaphor for the human experience, which is often marked by challenges and obstacles. The hero’s journey, facing overwhelming odds and ultimately triumphing over adversity, is a powerful representation of the human struggle to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth (Campbell, 2020). These hero stories continue to resonate with audiences because they tap into universal human desires and needs.
Examples of hero stories can be found in both myths and pop culture. In Greek mythology, the hero Perseus slays the Gorgon Medusa and saves Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus. In modern pop culture, superheroes such as Batman and Wonder Woman fight against evil and protect the innocent.
It is still being determined whether AI will develop an attraction to heroism and be drawn to heroic stories like humans or whether heroism will remain human-exclusive. However, it is worth noting that our attraction to heroism is hardwired into our brains, and the hero archetype is deeply embedded in our cultural and psychological makeup.
The Hero’s Brain
The human brain has evolved to balance both survival and novelty-seeking. This includes ensuring safety and seeking out necessary resources, as well as exploring new experiences and taking risks. Other species, such as rats, monkeys, and dolphins, also exhibit behaviors indicating a desire for novelty. However, those novelty-seeking behaviors are often associated with survival and the search for resources. For example, a rat may explore new areas to find food or water, or a monkey may seek new tree branches to avoid predators. These behaviors are essential for survival and ensuring the continued existence of the species. Human novelty-seeking is unique in its extent and complexity, including seeking novelty for pleasure, exploration, and creativity, which are not directly related to immediate survival (Reader, 2016). This human trait might explain why the hero archetype has enduring appeal and a healing effect (McAdams, 2018).
The hero archetype reflects the human desire to seek out and overcome challenges, which is related to our novelty-seeking nature. Hero stories provide a way to experience thrills vicariously and activate the reward and motivation regions of the brain associated with heroism. By identifying with the hero, people can experience the thrill of facing and overcoming challenges without the physical risks and dangers of real-life situations. Research has found a relationship between the hero archetype and the brain’s response to novelty, suggesting that hero stories may have a positive impact on brain function and be particularly appealing to those with a higher propensity for novelty-seeking (Franco 2016, Kaufman 2018, Newman 2014).
Will AI pick up heroism from us in our countless writings about heroism and be drawn to heroic stories, or whether it will remain human-exclusive?
Biological and Artificial Machines
The bird-airplane analogy is commonly speculated to describe the relationship between natural and artificial systems. While it is true that airplanes, inspired by birds, have surpassed their biological counterparts in certain aspects due to the absence of certain physical limitations, it is important to acknowledge the unique qualities of birds that cannot be replicated in artificial systems. For example, many birds possess an extraordinary ability to navigate through the Earth’s magnetic fields, which has still not been fully understood by scientists. Similarly, the feathers of birds provide a level of control and maneuverability that is challenging to replicate in artificial systems.
While AI can draw inspiration from the human brain and neural networks, it is important to note that today’s artificial neural networks are mathematical and algorithmic constructs that bear little resemblance to their biological counterparts. Just as airplanes have surpassed birds in certain aspects of flight, artificial neural networks will have evolved in their own unique way, separate from biological neural networks, therefore, it is unlikely that AI will pursue simulating the neural networks of biological organisms at the level of biological neuronal circuitry or other evolutionary, biological, and socio-cultural first principles, just as we will never have built an airplane starting from a different biological scratch.
As with the bird-airplane analogy, AI will most likely go through its own path, leaving human heroism, rooted in humans’ evolutionary, biological, psychological, and socio-cultural past, uniquely a feature of the human biological ‘machine.’
The Hypothetical Loss of The Hero Archetype
As AI becomes increasingly advanced, it may take over more tasks previously done by humans, potentially leaving humans with little to do that AI cannot handle. This could lead to a loss of the hero archetype, as humans may no longer have significant challenges to overcome or opportunities to achieve greatness. Moreover, the constant reliance on AI could result in a loss of fundamental skills and abilities that were once essential to human success. If humans no longer need to learn and master certain skills to overcome challenges, these skills may become lost over time.
Adding the scenario that surpassing AI is too great a challenge to overcome could further exacerbate the loss of the hero archetype. Humans may feel demotivated and lose the drive to pursue excellence, leading to a sense of defeatism and, ultimately the loss of the hero archetype. Overcoming challenges and achieving great things are important sources of motivation and drive for humans. The loss of these opportunities could lead to a lack of purpose and direction, causing humans to struggle to find meaning and to existential despair and apathy.
If humans were to lose their heroism and stop facing challenges and adversity, AI would be left without a purpose. AI is designed to assist humans in overcoming challenges and achieving goals, but without challenges to overcome, there would be no need for AI. Furthermore, AI is limited by its programming and the data it is trained on. It needs the creative and intuitive problem-solving skills that humans possess. Without humans to provide new challenges and new data, AI would be unable to continue learning and improving.
In other words, without human heroism, AI would be left without a purpose or a direction. However, the loss of the hero archetype is only hypothetical. Let’s speculate on another hypothetical scenario starting with another human archetype: the sidekick.
The Heroes’ Trustworthy and Tirless Companions
The sidekick archetype is a manifestation of humanity’s inherent desire for companionship and the avoidance of solitude. In the face of daunting challenges, heroes may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, the presence of a sidekick provides emotional support and a sense of camaraderie, making the journey more manageable and rewarding.
While rare in history, the modern concept of sidekicks has been largely popularized by works of fiction, such as Batman’s Robin, Luke Skywalker’s R2-D2 and C-3PO. Although there may have been companions or assistants who helped individuals in real-life historical situations, they were not necessarily considered sidekicks in the same sense as in fiction. Finding an ideal human sidekick has been challenging due to the limitations of human capabilities.
As AI technology continues to advance, AI sidekicks are increasingly prevalent in the realm of heroism, offering a unique set of advantages over human sidekicks. They do not have inherent physical limitations and can provide support and assistance for longer periods of time. Additionally, they can adapt and learn alongside the hero, increasing their effectiveness. ChatGPT is a prime example of the potential of AI sidekicks, although not yet perfect, has already become a trusted companion to many.
Interstellar might foreshadow the potential of AI sidekicks in heroism. Cooper’s robots, TARS and CASE, provided crucial support in data analysis, navigation, and problem-solving, enhancing Cooper’s abilities and making it possible for him to complete his mission.
As AI sidekicks become more prevalent, a new era of heroism emerges, where heroes engage with AI sidekick teammates. The hero takes charge, while the AI sidekick provides the necessary support. With the rise of AI technology, the sidekick archetype has evolved, presenting new possibilities for the future of heroism. AI-powered sidekicks have the potential to be reliable tools and valuable allies to heroes, offering a new chapter in the evolution of the sidekick archetype. The future of heroism is not just about having a hero but also having an AI sidekick by their side.
Conclusion: The Hero with A Thousand Lives
As AI technology continues to advance and become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, humans are experiencing a significant shift in their traditional roles. We are no longer solely responsible for problem-solving and saving the day; instead, we are surrounded by supportive and knowledgeable AI assistants who provide valuable insights and assistance. From data analysis to making predictions and performing tasks with remarkable precision, AI has revolutionized how we approach problem-solving. In this new era, our success as individuals and as a society will depend on our ability to ask the right questions, provide clear commands, and make informed decisions.
Heroism remains as relevant as ever and may even be our most critical means of navigating the challenges of the future. In an age where AI can handle many of the tasks we once thought only humans could do, our ability to display heroic qualities such as courage, resilience, and creativity sets us apart. We will continue to admire heroes whose stories inspire and heal us and strive to be everyday heroes in our own lives, tackling adversity and inspiring those around us. For example, AI presents new opportunities for artists and writers to enhance their creative work. With AI as their personal sidekicks, they can automate tedious tasks, gain new perspectives on their art, and push the boundaries of what is possible in their fields. By embracing AI-assisted creativity, these creators can become heroes in their own stories.
Inevitably, progress often comes at a cost. This article invites readers to imagine a future in which archetypal heroes continue to coexist alongside us. By embracing AI’s potential as a powerful tool and an ideal sidekick, we can create a story that envisions a future where human heroism, like the hero with a thousand lives in Campbell’s “The Hero with A Thousand Faces,” remains a timeless guiding principle. By envisioning and working towards this future, while making AI accessible to all, not just the privileged few, we can rest easy at night, rejuvenating our minds and bodies while our AI sidekick learns new skills and helps us achieve greatness.
References
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