Our Planet Gem, Core Values, family, trees, and artigenuity
Darby & Sharon Checketts
Our Time in History. We are blessed with amazing opportunities for adventure, discovery, prosperity, community service, lots of fun, memorable family connections, and much more. Simultaneously, our world is experiencing social unrest, economic upheaval, disruptive politics, wars, runaway social media, and the threatening (though also promising) rise of Artificial Intelligence.
Existential Threats. A close friend of mine and I recently discussed our concerns about the news that Artificial Intelligence might go rogue and wipe out human civilization in ten years. Why and how might this happen? Perhaps computers will determine that humans are not doing such a good job of caring for our planet and "keeping things together." Some faction of world society may seek to become the "AI mastermind."
What Is the Answer? What is the counterbalance to AI?
Patriotic Parents. Existential is a fancy word to explain things that have a pervasive and powerful influence on our existence. I was born at the end of World War II wherein my courageous parents served our nation. My dad was a cargo pilot in the China-Burma-India theater of the war. He flew over a hundred-fifty treacherous missions across the Himalaya Mountains. I used to watch a favorite movie with my dad called, "God Is My Co-Pilot." Then came the "Cold War" as conflict with the Soviet Union created the existential threat of nuclear war. The world envisioned a tyrannical leader pushing that big red button that would launch an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile). Sharon and I remember fire and bomb drills at school where we crawled under our desks for protection. We have survived. We're still here at 81 years.
How Do We Safeguard Humanity as the Tide of Technology Rises? How do we protect our families, communities, and livelihoods from the devastating disruptions that misuses and abuses of AI can bring about?
More Powerful than Artificial Intelligence. We must look to a higher, smarter, more powerful resource than computer technology. What is the priority consideration for our world community? Perhaps we must spend more time looking heavenward and less time looking downward into the palms of your hands at those tiny, shiny devices that can be so helpful and so distracting.
Where Is the Real Power? Look at the trees, the billowing clouds in the blue sky, the flowers in your garden, the smiling face of a toddler, the loving face of your grandmother. Yes, be amazed at the microchip in your cellphone and then watch a honeybee navigate from flower to flower gathering the sweetest of treats that delight humans. There are those who discount God's existence and power as mythological. I've had individuals scoff at me and ask, "How can God answer the prayers of eight billion people?" Sidenote: I understand that a man-made supercomputer can process at over 10 FLOPS (one exaflop = a quintillion calculations per second). I am sure a Celestial Being with universally creative power can handle a few billion prayers. A Celestial Net connects us spiritually in ways that transcend the awesomeness of the Internet and GPS.
In Answer to AI and Other Fears... I recently walked through Hobby Lobby, my favorite store, and glimpsed the small plaque that now appears as our website masthead. (I have purchased nine of these as Christmas gifts for family members.) It reads: "His Eye Is on the Sparrow, and I Know He Watches Me." As I studied it, I decided that I shall not fear. The plaque's message is based on Jesus Christ's teaching in Matthew 10:29-31 and the inspirational lyrics by Civilla D. Martin written in 1905.
The Trustworthiness of Trees. What are the truest emblems of our wondrous existence on Planet Earth? Are these cell phones? What about trees? Please enjoy our family learning PDF on "Tree Gifts." Why did I call our website "The Tree Roost'? Birds fly to the lofty branches of trees to gain a broader perspective on our world. Our broader perspective tells us that it is time to focus our faith on the premises and promises of a force far more powerful than Artificial Intelligence. AI is, after all, man-made and only "artificial." I write about trees because these are the royalty of our Plant Kingdom. These are so abundant, authentic, dependable...and so beneficial to humankind. I go to the forest to find solace and to remind myself of all that God has created for us that He will ultimately protect for us--even enhance one day. Consider the full meaning of "family tree" as one of humanity's most familiar and meaningful metaphors. Above all else, we must safeguard our family trees!
Our Planet Gem: Core Values to the Rescue. With the rise of technology, we hope that AI will enrich and not engulf us. I propose a new mindset, which is "ARTIGENUITY." There is an overview at this website; and I have recently written a candid, yet optimistic book on this subject. It addresses the rockslides and the strongholds of life on our planet; and includes an autobiographical section that expands on Darby & Sharon's family values and the underlying principles of faith that guide us. The book is available at Amazon.com: OUR PLANET GEM: Core Values to the Rescue.
AN INVITATION...to print and share the 5-page PDF at the bottom of the fourth page of our site as an audience handout. While this home page of our website has religious tones, the PDF is intended for sharing with a public or secular audience to facilitate consideration of the concepts of ARTIGENUITY, which are of general interest and usefulness as a counterbalance to AI.
Our Story
Darby & Sharon Checketts - Life's Adventures
After Darby's corporate career, we established our consulting business. We were blessed with a houseful of dynamic and dependable children. These are the joy of our lives. Eventually, Darby authored several business books for his clients. These include Customer Astonishment and Positive Conflict. We spent eight years supporting financially disadvantaged college students in the Salt Lake City area. As our children left the family nest, we took to the highway across the natural wonderland that is Utah. We wrote The Utah Cure (2017) to help readers discover the rejuvenating, and inspirational effects of being in the great outdoors. It is about 40 magical destinations among the forests and canyons of Utah where we love to go as a family. Discover Darby's book: Forest Is The Tree Word for Family. And there is a children's book: Jubilant June: The Juniper Tree. Most of Darby's 20 books are available at Amazon.com...or please contact us.