Events & Travel Archives

Listening to the Maya Story Through their Technology

What can an ancient Mesoamerican culture teach the global community in the 21st century? I pondered on these question on my 2.5+ hours bus ride between Cancun and the Chichen Itza’s ruins. With no pretensions or pressure to come up with something, the trip would prove thought-provoking and inspiring. In this blog, I’ll share my findings and a bit about how I ended up there two weeks ago. While being a sucker for exploring new cultures, what I found here went beyond the usual history lesson. With their rich history, delicious cuisine, advanced technology, the Maya surprised me while also challenging me to care for this earth.

An Invitation to a Journey

Like rivers flowing into oceans, so are the unplanned encounters of the soul in unexpected journeys of discovery. I didn’t set out to the Yucatan peninsula in a quest to learn about the Mayas. Quite the contrary, I was there to rest and celebrate with my wife our 20th anniversary. Away from kids, work, and the many demands of our life at this stage, we yearned for the gentle soothing sounds of the sea.

Even so, places have a way to whisper. They often carry with them stories untold of a past waiting to be discovered. I knew some important monuments and Mayan ruins were nearby and that was enough to pique my interest. In the hotel I learned about my options, only wanting to spend a day I chose the most visited site: Chichen Itza, only a 2.5-3 hour drive from the area we were staying.

My wife, seeking to avoid the crowds and rest up for a day, decided to stay while encouraging me to go. Being one day away from each halfway through our stay sounded like a good compromise from the wisdom of 20 years of marriage. In an interesting twist, when learning I was from Brazil, the hotel agent booked me with a Portuguese-speaking guide. I would join Brazilians and Portuguese natives who were also discovering this Mayan Jewel.

Mayan Zodiac Circle – by Wikimedia commons

Re-enchanting the World through Native cultures

Modernity’s move toward secular science has borne out many achievements. Even so, it also resulted in tremendous loss. For one, people in the West lost their sense of connection with nature and with it also their reverence and respect for it. Nature went from an object of worship to raw material to be exploited. The call to subdue earth meant more than taming nature but ultimately came to justify a massive amount of destruction, pollution, and degradation.

Hence, it is no surprise that westerners like me would have a renewed interest in pre-Modern cultures like the Mayas. They point us to a time when connection and reverence to nature were the order of the day. Rejecting prevalent attitudes that would either see it as a competing religion or dismiss it as primitive superstition, we can now look at Mayans with a humble attitude to listen. What does their story of advancement, exuberance, warfare, and decline teach us today as we live in our age of environmental crisis? It is with this posture, that I approach and reflect on my recent visit to Chichen Itza.

The STEM side of the Maya

As I rode the bus on the way to Chichen Itza, I was bracing for a real-life history lesson. What I did not expect was a math class early morning on my 3rd day of vacation! Yet, since we had a long drive there, our guide Mauricio Dzul, proceeded to explain the very elaborate yet elegant numbering system the Mayas created. Using only dots, dashes, and a shell-like symbol they can represent any number! I must say that my curious mind was intrigued and made me wonder, shouldn’t we teach this more as a way to diversify teaching mathematics? I might teach it to my kids just for fun.

Why did they develop their number system? While there may be other reasons, The Maya people were astute observers of the skies. They used the movement of the Sun, Moon and Venus to devise the most elaborate calendar system in the world. In this calendar, they counted time that went back thousands of years and needed a way to express these long dates. It was a misunderstanding of this calendar that led to the paranoia with the 2012 date. That was not a good use of Maya technology!

From Wikimedia commons

Their historical witness challenges us to look up and consider the stars anew with keen curiosity and reverence. Their astronomy did not only lead to a number system but also greatly influenced their engineering. The Yucatan peninsula is dotted with the remains of buildings oriented towards the movements of the Sun and Moon. They continue to attract thousands to witness intriguing light patterns on Solistice dates. In my visit to Chichen Itza, our guide showed how when clapping from designated place we could hear multiple echoes and even the sound of a bird.

Mysterious Abandoments

Since my visit, I have become obsessed with all things Maya and their technology. Browsing materials on it and now listening to a course on their history, I learned of the vastness and richness of the field. Mayan studies continue to expand as many ruins are yet to be discovered and properly understood. In this thriving field, one of the most daunting questions has been the cities’ abandonment. By the time the Spanish arrived, many of the great Mayan cities were already ruins covered by the rainforest.

I asked our knowledgeable guide about this. While there was warfare involved, in many cases, the population simply left migrating to other cities or smaller settlements in the forest. He indicated that it was most likely because of weather changes, some of which may have been precipitated by agricultural practices to feed growing populations in the region. Changes in rain patterns disrupted harvest yields leading to political instability and warfare.

If this is indeed the case, then the Maya story through technology also offers a cautionary tale for our time. It re-inforces the message scientists have been warning us about in the last decades on climate change. We must revisit our way of life and how we sustain our growing populations or see our big skyscrapers become ruins overtaken by forest.

Conclusion

Contrary to what it seems, I don’t purposefully look for reasons to blog on my vacation. Yet, they occur from time to time. All it takes is a willingness to enter into the story of a place. Even in a digitally connected world, physical spaces matter. We sit on land that was re-settled by many before us. They, in turn, lived in ecosystems that took millions of years to form. Attending to the story of both the land we inhabit and the people that lived before us is our duty and call for this time.

I cannot see a more theological task than this. If we believe in a timeless God who created the earth, surely we must learn to hear God’s voice in the ground we step on and the cultures that preceded us. If we slow down to listen, we’ll be amazed at the wisdom that surfaces. These are the very whispers of God speaking truth through time and space.

With that posture, I am grateful for the Mayans and their land which I had the privilege to visit. In my time of rest and recreation, I also found new nuggets of wisdom to take along the journey.

Which story is the place you live in telling you? If you haven’t pondered on this question maybe now it is time to start searching.

CTA Conference 2019: Engagement, Solidarity and Hope

I was looking forward to this conference for months. It was my only opportunity in the year to get together with friends that I interact online throughout the year. The line up of speakers was impressive. There were academics, activists, engineers, theologians, pastors and entrepreneurs which made it for a fairly unique event destined to spark engaging dialogue and stretch us into uncomfortable spaces.

In the opening, Micah Redding, Christian Transhumanist Association (CTA) president and founder mentioned that if the conference did no make you uncomfortable then it was not doing its job. This was not a place for cozy group think. In eyes of many, Christianity and Transhumanism make for strange bedfellows. Furthermore, mixing religion, science and technology is still a novel concept. As an emerging organization, CTA is still defining its own identity in an environment where many are too willing to dismiss it as an oxymoron. On the one hand, Science and Technology are weary of religious talk getting into their business. Religious people, on the other hand, get very uncomfortable with movements that exalt a changing humanity.

Entering a new world

Conference main speakers: Science Mike, Liz Parish, Cheryle Renee Moses and Jim Stump

The morning kicked off with Bio Logos VP, Jim Stump. He offered preliminary thoughts on how to engage Transhumanism from a Christian perspective. In his view, the jury was still out on the movement and its impact. With that said, instead of fearful rejection, he proposed active engagement. In other words, it was an opportunity to enter the conversation as disciples of Christ with humility, caution and openness.

This was a fitting introduction as the speakers that followed exemplified that engagement. They offered a Christian cultural critique that was not limited to Transhumanism but expanded into digital cultures, AI and the Internet. It is hard to summarize here all the great points made throughout these presentations. I hope that CTA posts the presentations so those interested can browse through them.

One speaker that stood out was Liz Parish. Liz was patient zero in genetic modification treatment. She underwent this unprecedented procedure in 2015 and since then has stayed involved in the longevity and human enhancement movement as an entrepreneur. Her company, BioViva, seeks to find safe ways to expand to make genetic intervention more affordable. Watching her presentation gave mixed feelings of awe, hope and fear. It reminded me that we were entering a new world, one full of possibilities but with no shortage of dangers. Messing with our genes is not something I am comfortable with. Yet, what if that is the way for the cure of many terminal diseases? Don’t we owe ourselves to at least try? Liz Parish’s life and work challenged us all to re-think our pre-conceived answers to these questions.

Learning Solidarity

Right before lunch, I received a text from Micah. I was scheduled to speak in the afternoon right before a panel on future and equity. My presentation explored how the movie Black Panther, as a prime example of Afro-Futurism, represented a hopeful, original and promising vision for the future. In the text, Micah informed me that Cheryle Renee Moses, an African-American activist and one of the key speakers in the event objected to the title of my presentation “Dreaming Alternative Futures with Black Panther.” The plan was to sit down at lunch to discuss her concerns.

In our conversation, Cheryle expressed that she had reservations with the fact that I, a Euro-Brazilian was speaking about a story that belonged to Africans. She was also offended at the word “dreaming” for it reminded her of how slave owners have used that word to keep slaves from asserting their humanity. To be more specific, she was referring to how Christianity was used to tell slaves to simply hope for a better future after death rather than fight for freedom. It reminded her, I write this with tears in my eyes, of how the gospel was used, and in some cases continues to be used for social control and racial subjugation.

There was no choice other than to pull the presentation from the program and to extend the following forum on future and equities. From a personal level this was a difficult decision. I had poured hours into that presentation and thought that it would actually connect a mostly white and male audience with a beautiful African vision of the future. Yet, there was something happening here much bigger than that. If we were to be serious about equitable futures, we could not ignore Cheryle’s concern. As an activist, she was speaking for the margins in a way that none of us could. Her voice at that moment was more important than anything I had to say.

Photo by Mike Morrell – Elias Kruger, Cheryle Renee Moses and Micah Redding

In the forum, Cheryle reminded us of the uncomfortable truths about racism and how this continues to impact even the conversations we were having about technology, faith and the future. She challenged the audience to expand their networks to ensure they were hearing perspectives from diverse voices. For a room full of white men, still the vast majority involved in the conversation, the awkwardness was palpable. It was an unplanned, uncomfortable, awkward moment that was sorely needed.

A few days later, after reflecting on this experience, it dawned on me that I never apologized or expressed sympathy for the hurtful reality that Cheryle was bringing forth. Thankfully, I was able to call her this week and express my heartfelt sorrow for this painful heritage that we often want to forget rather than make it right. Cheryle graciously accepted my apologies and thanked me for reaching out. I also asked her to review this text to ensure I was not working under short-sighted assumptions in my writing. Part of building equitable futures is learning to listen to diverse voices and feel their pain.

It is only in solidarity that we can move forward.

Fruitful Conversations

Like most conferences, great dialogue happens in the breakout sessions. In an age of on-demand streaming, one can watch great speakers at the tip of their fingers. What is rare and even more valuable is good old face-to-face conversations. We were a small but high caliber group. Among attendants there were scientists, theologians, college students, professors, pastors and a good share of technology enthusiasts. The conference offered two opportunities for break out conversations with a broad range of topics.

Photo by Seth Cartwright

In the first one, I attended a break out on “AI and the impact on the local church.” Not surprisingly the topic attracted its share of ministry-oriented folks. It did not take long, about 5 minutes to be precise, for our conversation to veer into sex-bots. That’s what happens when pastors discuss AI, we joked . Beyond that, we had fruitful discussions on the differences between narrow and general AI, applications for ministry and the technology impact on social inclusion. Some reported the church’s reluctance to embrace new technologies. Others discussed the benefits and perils of taking virtual communion or conducting virtual baptism. Welcome to doing ministry in the 21st century.

In the second breakout, I joined a stimulating conversation on the future of Christian Transhumanism (XH+). We discussed the baggage Transhumanism carries and why many Christians are reluctant to join or be identified with the movement. There is also resistance from secular Transhumanism in accepting the legitimacy of a religious voice. We explored which audiences had the most to benefit from XH+ and found that it would fit well within a faith at work movement. At its best, the XH+ could help Christians boldly connect their faith with their vocations. Yet, our discussion left many unanswered questions. What is XH+? How does it fit the church ecosystem? What does it believe? These are questions the CTA will be engaging for years to come.

Unexpected Ending

Science Mike closed the night with a stimulating and at times entertaining presentation on technology, faith and Transhumanism. He brought up many valuable points. For one, he questioned the narrative that AI is overtaking humanity and computers would surpass human intelligence. Showing recent trends in computer performance, Mike bluntly put: “Electrons are getting tired of our shit!” In short, we are now finding limits in Moore’s law challenging the projections for machine super intelligence. He also questioned the possibility of brain uploading, cryonics and even whether life prolongation was desirable.

At points, he delivered heart-felt reflections on how one could live out a Christian faith in the midst of so much technological change. He affirmed the bodily shape of our humanity asserting that mind uploading was simply confusing people with brains on a stick. He also encouraged us to re-think our relationship with technology as a separate entity from nature. As an example, he said we should look at Manhattan as an island filled with human nests. In making these points, he offered some provocative insights to help us move forward in a time of great confusion.

Unfortunately, his talk ended in a very pessimistic tone. Mike was weary of Silicon Valley and American Christianity, claiming that both were built on a foundation of white supremacy. Because of that, he lost faith in them and instead was looking for ways to live a Christian life that resisted these forces. Hence, he saw little hope on technology or the church in effecting positive change in the world.

While partially agreeing with his assessment, I was disappointed that he could not also see the potential and opportunity for Christianity and technology in our time. That is what attracted me the XH+ in the first place. I saw it as an alternative to the prevailing luddite narrative that focuses on the negative impact of technology in the world. While he left a grave reminder of our current reality, he overlooked the potentiality of technology and faith. These issues are not mutually exclusive, we can dismantle oppressive systems while building an alternative equitable-techno-natural-spiritual future. In fact, accomplishing the first is only possible by pursuing the second.

I would like to hear more about this hopeful vision in the 2020 CTA conference.

AI Theology Goes to NY: Sandy e Junior and the Power of Music

This blog started with a dare. My father-in-law, a faithful reader of the blog, challenged me to write a post about my recent trip to New York I took with my wife. We were there for one night to watch the one and only US concert of the Brazilian band Sandy e Junior in the Barclay’s center. He wanted to see if I could tie that experience with theology or AI.

Daniel, challenge accepted! Let’s see how it goes.

That’s the look of excitement of spending 30 hours with no kids. This picture also clears up who married up. I am a lucky man!

Our trip really started in the Atlanta airport. Arriving with plenty of time, enjoying a kid-free trip, we decided to walk to the concourse rather than catching the train. It made for a pleasant 25 minutes walk, helping us reach and surpass the 10K steps goal for the day. Not only that but we also greatly enjoyed an exposition on African art and learned about the history of Atlanta. It is very well done and a great way to pass time while waiting for a flight. Next time you are stranded in the Atlanta airport, I highly recommend it.

After less than two hours of flight we saw this in our window and knew we were close. Even with all the smog, NY still boasts some stunning views. We have not been in the big apple for over 15 years and a lot has changed since then.

Picture of New York’s skyline from the plane.

A Brazilian Enclave in the Big Apple

After finding some exquisite cuisine for dinner in Brooklyn we headed to the arena. The walk there in the rain was an unexpected treat. It reminded us of a family tradition: dancing in the rain. This is something we started doing before we had kids and have passed on to them. Now every time it rains, our girls ask: can we go out there to dance? Nope, we did not dance in the crowded sidewalks and car congested streets of Brooklyn. However, getting soaking wet prior to the concert was the closest to it. It was a preparation for what was to come.

As we approached the arena, it felt like we were in another country. Just noticing the way people dressed and conducted themselves, we knew there were Brazilians all around us. You see, Brazil is fairly diverse country making it difficult to spot what the typical Brazilian looks like. However, you can often tell by subtle clues. For example, women will wear their purses crossing their shoulder instead on the side. We could also hear a lot of Portuguese being spoken around us. Before crossing the street, I man behind us warned in Portuguese to stay way from the puddle anticipating cars to splash unsuspecting pedestrians. Good reminder, that we heeded willingly though unnecessary since we were already soaked.

When we got inside we felt like we were in Brazil. Everybody was speaking Portuguese except for the stadium’s staff. It felt like we were going back to our adolescence. We both grew up in Brazil. I left as a teenager and Priscila when she married me. It also reminded us of the time we met, when I was 17 and she was 15 years old. A trip back in time to a distant but crucial moment in both of our lives.

Mandatory selfie with my beautiful wife in front of the venue. Notice that I still haven’t figured out where the camera is. One day I’ll learn!

An Unique Sister-Brother Duo

Sandy e Junior are quite unique artists in the Brazilian music scene. Children of a famous sertanejo (Brazilian country music) singer, they walked into the spotlight very early in life. Their first appearance was in 1989 at the tender age of 6 and 5. From then on, they enjoyed a successful career as a duo until 2007 when they parted ways. This concert marked their 30 year anniversary of their launch in ’89. It was a reunion tour which planed for a few concerts in Brazil but quickly expanded into an international tour. Though in their mid-30’s, they already boasted three decades of career and over 20 million albums sold – a rare feat for any Brazilian artist!

Picture of the Duo captured in the NY concert

Their longevity is not the only aspect that stands out. In an industry crowded by divas and big personalities, it is quite refreshing to see self-effacing, humble and authentic artists perform. They showed genuine gratitude and recognition for the fans efforts to be there and faced the opportunity to play in an international stage not as a right but as a responsibility. Both of them are still married to their first spouses and have kids. Yes, sometimes good guys and gals do become famous.

Their songs centered mostly on young love and heart break. Because they grew up doing this, their music reflects their different developmental stages. From kid’s crushes, painful teenage breakups to long-lasting friendship; it is all there in a pleasant mixture of songs to an overall pop sound. Sandy is the lead singer while Junior sings harmony and plays multiple instruments. The closest I comparison I could think would be if Taylor Swift teamed up with a Jonas brother.

The Power of a Shared Experience

As expected for this reunion show, the fan base was quite varied in age. Given their long career, you could see both those who have grown up with them as well as their children coming to the concert. I must confess I was a very late comer to their fandom. My wife was a fan from her teenage years in the 90’s while I scoffed at their association with sertanejo. It was an unfair prejudice that I regret. In our house now, Priscila had already made fans out of all our kids and I was the only hold out. After this concert that is no longer the case and I have the picture to prove it.

Priscila’s passion for the duo rubbed on me. Often, I would turn to look at her face fully immersed into the music experience. It was like I had my teenager Priscila back, almost twenty years later after marriage and kids. Her genuine delight was contagious and captivating making me fall in love again.

She was not alone. We were surrounded by committed fans who stood up and sang along for the whole two hours plus of concert time. Looking at their faces you could see memories of crushes, heart breaks and kids play all coming back. It was as if that experience was transporting them to an earlier and simpler time, a precious memory from their younger years.

The fact that it was in the US made the experience all the more memorable. Many of them, like us, have left their childhood place along with friends and family. They now live in a country where they were no longer sure they were welcome. Many carry the toll of the lonely immigrant life punctuated by hard work and isolation. All of that was forgotten for two hours while they sang their memories at the top of their lungs. The last song invited the whole arena to jump. Twenty thousand fans (including myself) gladly obliged bouncing our sorrows away.

Theology, AI, anything?

There was nothing about AI in that night. After all, I do have other interests in my life and don’t walk around only thinking about how the world relates to AI! Yet, there was ample opportunity for theological reflection. I could talk about the fact that music has the power to transport us into other dimensions in time and space. I could also speak of the nostalgia, the struggle of the immigrant life and the never-ending pervasiveness of love. You see, to me all of this is part of theology.

I am recently reflecting on a theology that embraces the world. I have recognized that my Christian formation, unfortunately, have often led me to despise the world around me and minimize experiences that were outside of religious contexts. Because of that, I was grateful to be part of this intoxicatingly human experience. It left me enriched by having my horizons opened and a bit convicted by my past prejudice. I also felt closer to my wife, the very relationship that continues to teach me most about God.

Learning to embrace the world reminds me that God does not sit “out there” in a “separate” infinite world but pours through in the richness of human experience, in the materiality of this earth, in joy, pain and sorrow.

All of it is sacred.

AI Theology Goes to New Mexico: Of Petroglyphs and Atomic Bombs

Six years ago, my dad and I set on a cross-country road trip from North Carolina to California. No, this was not a vacation but my way to move our stuff to Pasadena. We rented a Penske truck, towed one of our cars, had the dogs with us and drove across the country while my wife flew with the kids to LA. In the third day or our trip, we reached New Mexico in the morning and I was struck by its natural beauty. Blue skies, dry heat and beautiful arid vegetation invited me in. It was then I decided I had to come back for a visit one day. A month ago, I made that happen organizing a 40 year-old birthday trip with my unsuspecting brother. Unlike the first time, I was determined to spend 5 days exploring its natural beauties and its rich multi-cultural history.

Soon it became clear the trip offered many opportunities for reflection and writing. The themes of technology, culture, nature and humanity popped up all throughout which led me to this series of blogs. Reflecting on compelling experiences often ends up as blog material. Here is my first installment reflecting on this epic trip.

Ancient Writings

In our first full day in Albuquerque, we decided to visit the Petroglyphs National Monument. This national park offered not only an opportunity to hike in the beautiful New Mexico landscape but also a way to connect with pre-Columbus American history. The canyons boasted a rich array of petroglyphs (artistic carvings on rocks) that were between 400 to 700 years old. Centuries of erosion and exposure to the elements was not enough to erase these early manifestations of human creativity.

A small sample of the many petroglyphs found in the park.

The carvings ranged from people, animals to abstract symbols. Some were faint while others were very clear. From the information provided in the park, no one knows for sure why these carvings were made. They were made both by Native American and early Spanish settlers and represent the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region.

To think that their imprints have persevered in the rocks for centuries is mind-boggling. I wonder about what I could do today that would remain intact for even 50 years! With all our technology and tools at our disposals, are we still capable of leaving a noticeable imprint in nature that could last centuries? It also made me wonder what inspired them to carve. Was it religious, artistic or did it serve another purpose? Some sampling of the thoughts that went through my mind as we battled 90 degree sun in our heads to walk through the trails and climb up the rocks.

The Cloud that Changed the World

As the clock reached noon, it was time to find an AC respite from the sun. I didn’t want to acquire burns from exposure and ruin the rest of the trip. After a short but restful lunch it was time to go to the next destination. Knowing that the heat made anything outside unbearable we opted for going to a museum. From Breaking Bad scenes and previous research I knew that Albuquerque housed the Museum of Nuclear Science and History. A fitting geographical location as Los Alamos, a few miles up north, was the testing ground for the Manhattan Project.

Museum of Nuclear Science and History is one of the few national museums outside of DC. It boasts an impressive collection of artifacts tracing the history of the development of Nuclear technology. A lot of it centers on the development of the nuclear bomb that not only ended World War II but also changed our relationships with technology permanently.

Re-visiting this complex history evokes a range of mixed emotions. On the one side there is a sense of awe and admiration. It is mind-boggling to comprehend the effort, coordination, resources, secrecy that it took for the Manhattan project to succeed. Similar to the moon landing effort decades later, this is another testament to this nation’s ability to take on monumental tasks. Yet, all of this dissipates when we consider the horrifying destruction left by the nuclear bomb.

From a military strategic perspective, the bomb was meant to actually save lives. Given dogged Japanese resistance, the Allied forces anticipated that only a long and bloody invasion would bring the war to a conclusion. Some estimates put the cost of lives in the millions for both sides. The solution, in their view, was to deliver a humiliating and devastating blow that would convince the Japanese emperor to re-think his resistance. Two bombs, and close to 150,000 lives decimated later, their strategy worked. Yet, the cost would far surpass the direct casualties from the bomb.

In the section portraying the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki I was struck by a harrowing reminder. Of all the pictures shown, the image of an incinerated kid’s tricycle shocked me. I thought of my own children and the pain it would be to have their lives cut short in such a tender age. Yes, the project was a tremendous feat but it was also a destructive curse. In spite of its justification, the bomb crossed an unprecedented line for humanity.

The advent of the atomic age removed a sense a security from all of us. It is as if we realized we now had the power to annihilate all human life in a matter of seconds. This fear transcended national, ethnical and racial loyalties. This new discovery threatened all life in the planet.

In the exposition we learned that scientists working on the project made a final plea for an alternative option. Instead of dropping it in a city, they begged the military to run a demonstration of the bomb’s power in an unpopulated area as a final warning to the Japanese. Military leaders disagreed and convinced the president that the war effort needed a more forceful action than a demonstration. Let history be the judge of their ultimate decision.

Technological Blessing and Curse

The loss of innocence that came with the atomic experience reverberated in many levels. Till this day, the mushroom cloud symbolizes the destructive side of technology. Yet, even seventy years later, another nuclear bomb has not been deployed in an armed conflict. While a few nations continue to pursue it as a way to shore up their position in the geopolitical theater, thankfully, no deadly detonations have followed. Paradoxically, the horror of the first bombing led to restraint and possibly kept a cold war between two super powers from becoming hot in the 20th century.

How can we use the legacy of the nuclear bomb as a way to re-think our relationship with technology? On the one hand, it reminds us that the development of any technology should never be divorced from rigorous ethical deliberation. One could say that the nature of a global conflict like World War II did not lend itself to such activity. That may be so, but I do wonder how different history would have been have the President listened to the scientists’ plea for a demonstration. Would the threat of grave destruction be enough or was the actual deployment necessary?

On the other hand, harnessing energy out of atoms was a major scientific break through. In an age where we worry about global warming, nuclear energy continues to be a rather clean way to produce electricity. I wonder whether we would be more open to building nuclear plants had it not been tainted by its association with the bomb. That is, sometimes because of fear we may lose opportunities to harness technology for the good.

As we enter in an age where AI is now becoming a deciding factor in our future, I hope we listen to the lessons from the history of nuclear science. Let us approach it with rigorous ethical reflection but also aware of our blinding fears. While the first is essential the latter can greatly reduce the opportunity for flourishing. And that, in itself, would be a great loss.

AI Theology goes to the Space Center in Huntsville, AL

Over a week ago, we celebrated 50 years since humanity first stepped in the moon. To celebrate this monumental achievement of the moon landing and also to spark interest in the sciences in my children, we took a road trip with some friends to Alabama. There we visited the Space Center where they originally built rockets for NASA. The center currently houses an authentic Saturn V rockets that launched the Apollo program astronauts to the moon.

That’s my over-enthusiastic selfie taken in front of the Saturn V rocket. The Rocket was so massive that it was really hard to capture in one picture.

Before sharing my reflections, let me first put a plug for this place. As a parent of young children, the visit was a success at all counts. My kids were engaged, entertained and educated all at once. The place surpassed my expectations while also being relatively affordable ($25 adults/ $14 child for admission. There is an additional cost for movies and the planetarium). The combination of amusement park rides, educational expositions, VR attractions and planetarium made it for a rich and entertaining experience. Can you see that excitement in my face? That was real.

Sophia and Anna, aspiring astronauts, hanging out at the capsule simulator

The visit was a trip on history lane, back to the twentieth century when the United States competed and won the space race against the USSR. While the backdrop of the Cold War loomed large, the story of the space race transcends nationalistic sentiments. At the center of it, it is a celebration of how 400,000 people worked together for a few decades to put a person in the moon and bring them back safely. As we just celebrated 50 years since the Apollo mission moon landing, its story reminds us of the potential of humanity when working together towards a common goal.

Levi and his proud dad riding the lunar rover

A Herculean Effort

We often forget the amount of effort, preparation, risk and courage it took to pull this off. In the center, we get to see the real size of the Saturn rocket, the same model that took astronauts to the moon. The three stage rocket is simply massive. The majority of its body is simply there to carry fuel so that the small capsule on top of it can overcome the extraordinary power of Earth’s gravitational force.

It was also striking to learn about the onboard computer that navigated the rocket. It was state-of-the are technology even if its memory and processing power is only a fraction of today’s smartphones. Somehow, even with those constraints, they were able to develop a navigational system that could not only steer the rocket to its destination but also greatly aid the astronauts at the crucial moment of landing in the moon.

The moon landing story reminded me of a time where technology’s aims were more noble and more daring than today’s. It is ironic that 50 years later, with all the advances we have made, nothing still compares to the feat of leaving Earth’s atmosphere. While it is encouraging to learn about the recent efforts on commercial space flight and the budding space programs of emerging powers like China and India, nothing really compares to the tremendous advance the Apollo program accomplished in the 60’s.

The competitiveness of the Cold War has long been replaced by the international cooperation of the last decades. The International Space Station testifies that space exploration is no longer the job for a nation alone but one that belongs to humanity. Even so, the challenges to deep space travel and Mars colonization loom large in the horizon. It will take multiple moon-shot style efforts for us to get there.

A Crisis of Imagination?

While finance, logistical and natural challenges persist, I wonder whether the biggest hurdle is the lack of interest. Space exploration no longer holds the imagination of our generation. We are too preoccupied with the latest absurd tweets staring down at our phones that we forgot to look up to the sky. What would be for us to dream of space exploration again?

I’ve been recently digging into Teilhard de Chardin’s theological writings. If it could be summarized in one statement it would be: faith in God and faith in the world. Today, both faiths are challenged. We not only wonder about a transcendent God but also whether we can live on to perpetuate our kind. Can we take care of this earth or are we destined to see it squandered by our greed? Can we learn to love each other or will we always be susceptible to the smallness of nationalistic and racial projects? Can we develop technology that foster the flourishing of life on this planet and beyond or is it all a game to perpetuate wealth accumulation?

Above all, I leave the Space center yearning to believe in humanity again. For if we are able to fly to the moon why can we not do amazing things here on Earth?

AI Theology Goes to Brazil Part 4 – Postmodernity and AI

In part 3, I described my learning experience with holistic ministry in Brazil after meeting with local pastors in Caratinga. In this blog, closing the series on my Brazil trip, I describe in more detail the last talk I gave in the university. Unlike previous talks, this time I was there more to listen than to speak. The event consisted of a panel discussion entitled: “AI and Postmodernity.” The plan was for me to give a 15 minute introduction and then pass on the discussion to a panel of professors.

With such a loaded title, I struggled to develop a suitable introduction. Postmodernity is such a broad term which does not lend itself to simple definitions. Moreover, it is not something usually discussed alongside a technology. The task before me was to elucidate points of correlation that would spark fruitful conversation. The preparation forced me to think deeper about some assumptions inherent in AI technology. After some careful thought, I came up with the following:

All problems have a technological solution
Nature (including humanity) is an algorithm that needs to be decoded
Data reveals the truth and shows the way to solutions
Every activity can and should be optimized

The more I reflect on these, the more I see them informing the development of Artificial Intelligence. Without these assumptions in place, I don’t see AI attracting the attention, funding and research needed to develop further. This is only happening because business leaders, politicians and investors have bought into these claims.

For Postmodernity, I framed the topic around four key implications that I found to be relevant for the panel discussion. They were the following:

The acceptance and celebration of diversity
Skepticism towards institutions or any power structure
Increase in both nihilism and fatalism
Openness to all narratives especially those coming from the margins

Bring the two together, I formulated four questions to spark the discussion among panel participants. Here were the questions:

What is the socio-cultural dominant narrative in Caratinga?
How can AI empower groups in the margins?
How can AI foster human flourishing in the local level?
Could the development of AI be a sign of a return to Modernity?

The panel consisted of professors in engineering, law, computer science, theology and social service. Their answers stayed mostly around themes of ensuring technology is used to enhance not diminish humanity. For example, the Social Service professor expressed the hope that data collection could improve their work with vulnerable populations. The Computer Science professor emphasized the differences between the human brain and AI. The Theology professor talked about the potential of AI for furthering ministry opportunities and addressing income inequality.

When hearing their answers, I sensed a bit of a disconnect on where I expected the discussion to go and where it actually went. While I set up the stage preparing for a more philosophical discussion of AI and postmodernity, the professors mostly avoided such approaches preferring instead to speak of concrete ways they understood that technology could affect their work. The panel ended up being about impact of AI applications rather than how it could change our view of humanity and the world we live in.

This disconnect only highlighted the importance of context. I noticed how my North-American academic context was dominated by deep specialists while the particular academic context I encountered in Brazil was run by generalists. This was not limited to academia but reflected more how the local society worked. People tended to rely on a broader more general level of knowledge rather than simply consulting the specialist for each field at hand.

I realized that such environment made them more receptive to the message of integration that I was proposing. In a place where people tend to rely on generalized knowledge, they already are doing the integration I suggest between faith, science and technology. They may not be doing directly on those topics but are practicing it in other areas.

On the flip side, reliance on a generalized knowledge can hinder more in-depth reflection on a specific topic. So, while I mostly agreed with the professors that technology should not replace humanity, I hoped to hear more nuanced arguments on how that could be the case in their context. I was hoping for new insights of how technology could integrate with their environment to solve deeply entrenched social problems. I was hoping for more layers of “why” and “how” in their answer. With that said, the panel was still fruitful in that it sparked discussion on how technology is impacting diverse segments of society. That in itself is an important step forward.

I left Caratinga deeply impacted by my time there. As the old adage goes, I came here to teach but ended up learning more. In fact, there were times where I wonder whether my talks were even relevant to their context. This was not just personal insecurity, though there was probably some of it , but it came from accepting that the assumptions that I operate under do not necessarily hold here. In many ways, I found a community where technological change was not as voracious as I have witnessed in the US. Even if many of these AI breakthroughs come to pass, they may not necessarily upend the social order there as it will in my own community. This is not to say that they will be immune from it. Just to realize that technology adoption is not as inevitable as we make it to be. The issue is not just whether something is technically possible but whether people will openly adopt it.

From what I saw, smart phones has become a integral part of their lives. Yet, in many other areas, the way they study, work, eat and relate to each other has remained unchanged. That is not a sign of being “backward” but of resistance. Caratinga show that there isn’t only one way to integrate technology into the fabric of a society. This realization led me reflect on how I can live a life, in a techno-dominant society, that is more in tune with my humanity and of those around me. That is the question I take home with me, hoping to not let the lessons I learned here go into oblivion.

AI Theology Goes to Brazil – Part 3: Holistic Mission and Technology

In Part 1 and Part 2, I discussed my two first talks in Brazil. In this blog, I will describe my third talk to a group of local pastors. Expecting to give them some new ideas, I left the meeting with new avenues of reflection. Hoping to teach, I ended up becoming the student.

The talk happened a monthly local pastors’ breakfast. I was elated to learn that they were already meeting regularly to discuss local ministry needs and coordinate actions. It is uncommon to see local religious leaders cooperating on anything. In this case, I could see evidence of joint projects and fruitful dialogue between church leaders in spite of the many different denominations represented.

I gave my opening remarks challenging them to see technology more as an enabler than a threat to their efforts. I spoke of ways in which the churches could participate in furthering the democratization of technology through education, awareness and political involvement. In other words, I wanted them to think of their work beyond the traditional bounds of preaching and Bible teaching. I then opened the floor for questions and comments.

The discussion inevitably steered towards the impact of social media. In that vein, I encouraged them to both model and provide guidance to their communities on healthy ways to use those technologies. I was also surprised to learn about the prevalence of smart phone ownership in Brazil and other areas in the world. There, I learned that there now more smart phones in Brazil than people! Also, one of the pastors, who had recently returned from India, spoke of village that lacked indoor plumbing and electricity but where people could still connect to a common solar panel to charge their phones! This discussion only confirmed my belief that technology, now more than ever, can be an enabler for human development.

I was also glad to hear about local efforts to improve computer literacy in poor areas of the city. Pr Marco Antonio dos Santos, a Methodist pastor and seminary coordinator told me about his church’s community center. It offered classes in music, homework tutoring and computers. I was so impressed that I asked to visit the center the next day. The two story building reflected already the vision I was proposing to pastors. It hosted a community center in the first floor open in the weekdays and a church sanctuary in the second floor for the weekend services. The building was located in a poor neighborhood of the city. In my short visit, I downloaded Scratch software to enable them to start teaching code to the children.

What would happen if more pastors had a holistic approach to ministry like Sombra e Agua Fresca (community center’s name which means “shade and fresh water”)? I left my visit convinced that, even with all its shortcomings, churches continue to be a tremendous force for good in the world. For those interested in learning more, click here. The site is all in Portuguese but it gives you a good idea of the diverse work this church is doing in the city.

Reflecting on what I learned, it brought me back to my time at Fuller where I learned about Holistic Mission. While many have heard about Latin American liberation theology, few know about the evangelical variant theology called missao integral. This theology and ministry philosophy transcended the traditional North-American divide between evangelism and social action. Instead of taking sides in this useless binary discussion, Christian leaders in Latin American decided it was about “both and”. That is, Christian mission should always happen in a context of social action. There is no point in sharing the gospel to the hungry without feeding them first. Also, there is no point in building charities that never empower the poor to break out of their cycle of poverty. Pastor Marco Antonio’s work is a vivid example of this theology. On weekdays, the center fleshes out what is preached on Sunday upstairs. This way, the church runs a holistic mission in a place of tremendous need.

It is unfortunate how in the US, mainline churches will focus on social action while evangelical churches focus more on evangelism. Of course, there are a lot of exceptions but that tends to be the case for the most part. Maybe this is where we can learn from the Latin American church. As this relates to technology, Holistic Mission means teaching the poor to code while sharing the gospel with them. These two go hand in hand.

What if more churches had computer labs in their buildings?

AI Theology Goes to Brazil – Part 2: Pure Energy

In the previous blog, I described my first talk in Caratinga where I addressed how to transmit our faith to our kids in a technological era. It was a good way to break into the series of talks that followed.

The following day, I delivered a talk in the evening to a wider audience of students, professors and admnistrators of the university. After being introduced, I walked up to the stage with with sunglasses doing a robotic walk, to Information Society’s “What’s on Your Mind”. (Yes, I went there! For those old enough, who can forget Leonard Nimoy’s voice saying “Pure Energy” in the intro – it’s a classic. Also, I do remember that being a big hit in Brazil. What happened to all the great music of the 80’s and 90’s? That’s a topic for another blog.) For an introvert like me, that was a tremendous risk and one that that could have gone badly. Thankfully, the audience was gracious with my clumsy attempt waiting to hear what I had to share.

After outlining a short introduction to what Artificial Intelligence is I then moved on to examples of how it is changing relationships, jobs and religion. I wanted to audience distinguish between general and narrow AI and also the difference between replacement and augmentation. On relationships, I talked about the promises of algorithmic match making and shared the example of the virtual wife hologram, now available in Japan. For jobs, I talked about how many job functions would be affected noting that it would come not as in total replacement but in automating tasks. For fun, I shared the story of the robot run hotel in Japan where robots ended up being fired for annoying customers! In other words, AI changes would be more complex than what is portrayed in science fiction.

Finally, on religion, I shared a blessing from Robot Pastor with the audience. First, I assured seminarians that robot competition was not an issue for them. Instead, I encouraged those training for the ministry to view technology not as a threat but an ally to their efforts. Historically, religious leaders have often displayed knee-jerk resistance to new technologies. Could we react differently this time? I also mentioned how AI could amplify their efforts in counseling parishioners or even just getting their message out.

That’s me with sunglasses getting ready to speak.

The main message of the talk was that narrow AI was coming to change our lives, how would we respond? I encouraged the audience to replace fear with courage, engaging AI with a broader view that seized on opportunities while monitoring risks. On the latter, I mentioned the perils of using face recognition for policing and how such uses required a broader democratic discussion from the civil society. Interestingly enough, after my talk, a local lawyer told me of a recent effort to coordinate camera footage from many areas in the town for law enforcement. I was not speaking of a distant future but of the here and now.

The question and answer time proved very thought provoking. The students asked insightful questions. One that impressed me was how far computers were from approaching the human brain capacity. Others asked more directly about how AI would hinder belief in God and religious adherence. In my view, the questions demonstrated some critical thinking and deep intellectual engagement with the topic. That is, the students were awake and listening. That is not always the case in events like these where they are required to go for class credit.

Maybe “pure energy” and a robotic walk was all it took to hook them in. Maybe not. Either way, my hope was to spark conversation on the topic. Judging by their questions, the dialogue had begun. In the 21st century, we are now all “Information Societies.”

AI Theology In Brazil – Part 1: A Personal Address

That’s me getting ready to kick the soccer ball with my dad.

How do I encapsulate 2 intense weeks in a short summary? How can I do so by providing enough detail to take the reader with me but also without making this a long drawn-out memoir? Hard task but one worth engaging in. In the previous blog, I gave my overall reflections on Brazil but did not go much in detail on what happened in my time there. This is what I will attempt to do in the following series of blogs. Here is the first installment.

First, it is important to disclose how this trip came about. For those who do not know me, I was born in Brazil and lived there until I was 15. My parents and my sister still live there. Since I had not been there since 2015, I thought it was about time to go back even if I could not bring my whole family with me. As I discussed my visit with my dad, he suggested I give some talks on Artificial Intelligence to the seminary and university he is involved in. It is a growing institution, founded by my grandfather, situated in a small town in Brazil’s interior. Because my visit, they organized a theology forum on the topic of Artificial Intelligence which consisted of 4 events:

Sunday School in a Presbiterian church entitled: “How to transmit our faith to our kids in a technological age”
A lecture open to the public in the university entitled “How Artificial Intelligence is changing relationships, professions and religion”
A talk with a group of pastors in the city entitled “Artificial Intelligence: How do we receive it and use it in our communities”
An open debate with professors in the University about “Artificial Intelligence and Post-Modernity.”

Phew, clearly this vacation turned out to be quite some work but very gratifying. Since I had little time to prepare prior to flying to Brazil, I spent a my first few days there gathering material for the talks and discussing the topic with friends and family. I had a lot to say on the topic but I wanted to contextualize it to the local reality. Attitudes and beliefs toward technology can vary widely depending on the context.

For example, it was illuminating to learn that while most of my audience did not have a computer at home, almost all of them had smart phones. Most were not familiar with terms like “machine learning” or “data science” but could see that in action when they typed a letter to send a text to a friend. I also learned that Whatsapp was the application of choice even more used than email in some cases. To my surprise, the town had Uber service even as they still had newstands in their main square. Wifi was widely available as well as small mom and pop stores that I visited while I was a kid. No Amazon and Wall-Mart nearby leaving most of commerce to local businesses. I witnessed The old and new living side-by-side in an interesting mixture. I learned of people who harvested coffee in the morning but looked up answers in google at night to help their kids to do homework.

How then should I speak of a disruptive technology in an environment where technological change was so uneven? It was important to keep my assumptions in check.

The first talk in the church inaugurated my time in Caratinga on a personal note. I was there in the church my parents married and also the one where my grandparents and some uncles had been buried. I was there to speak first as a father and husband, not as a data scientist. I started by using an analogy. I showed them first on a screen a typewriter and then a 3-D printer. While most were familiar with the first, few could recognize the latter. There lied the challenge of sharing our faith with our kids. It felt as if we were teaching faith like typewriting in a world of 3-D printers. That is, our teaching carried assumptions from bygone era, failing to address the needs, fears and questions of our time. That did not mean we had to use more technological means for sharing our faith, but it required different approaches.

I shared from my heart that in a world of noise and fast technological change, it is crucial we teach our kids the gift of silence. Furthermore, in a world of multiplying screens, nothing speak louder than a loving gaze, a warm embrace and words of affirmation. Only when we practice those, can we even begin to transmit our faith to the next generation. If our faith reflects a God of love, the best way to introduce God is through loving action.

I believe this applies not just to a small town in the interior of Brazil but it is indeed a message of global relevance. In a world of instant digital connections, physically visiting different places still matters . The learning I got being there for two weeks could not be assimilated through reading or VR. If anything, physical presence will only become more impactful than before.

Therefore, let’s cherish every chance we get to see, touch and embrace our loved ones.

AI Theology Goes to Brazil: Initial Reflections on my trip

Contemplating Bom Será Falls in Caratinga, MG Brazil / Contemplando a cachoeira do Bom Será em Caratinga, MG

The way there was long! It took more than 28 hours in all, one sleepless night on the plane, two connections and hundreds of curves on winding roads until I reached my parents’ home. All the effort was worth it! The sound of the waterfall, the cozy house and the my parents’s warmth reminded me that I was returning to a familiar place. Being there allowed me to recuperate and prepare for the marathon of talks scheduled for the following week.

The first days consisted mostly of spending time with a sister and her husband, nephews, uncles and cousins. There is always that initial strangeness when re-connecting with others we have not seen for so long. At first we are reminded that we live in parallel realities of different customs, values and habits. However, there are also memories of joint experiences that show how we are deeply related despite distance and time. Visiting family and old friends often brings a mix of nostalgia, awkwardness, joy and anxiety.

Beyond connecting with family I hoped to witness examples in Brazil that gave me hope. It is very easy to see and focus on what is wrong and what needs to be changed. But I wanted to find reasons to be grateful and proud of our country. I was looking for points of light even in a sea of darkness.

Luckily, this trip did not disappoint. First I was impressed with my meals. Every lunch and dinner was a mixture of local fruits and vegetables and home made products. In an increasingly globalized world, nothing is more precious than local taste. Not only is it healthier as it promotes a greater connection with the land, and what a land!

I had forgotten the beautiful hills of these Minas Gerais. In the car trip, in the sites and even in the cities, you can see spacious pastures, closed forest and spectacular landscapes. The highlight was to contemplate the powerful waterfall of the Bom Será, a paradise found in the middle of a valley surrounded by closed forest. Sitting on its edge, listening to its noise and feeling the steady moist breeze from its waters was a spiritual experience – a multi-sensory reflection of the Creator’s beauty.

Finally, I was impressed with the existing social capital in Caratinga. In a world marked by isolation and loneliness, it is refreshing to visit a place where people talk to each other on the street without ceremony. A place of deep, intertwined relationships for generations. Seeing that was a lesson in humanity and spiritual wealth.

I came to talk about how technology is transforming the world but ended up getting a lesson on how human warmth builds community. While technologies like AI have much to offer to a place like Caratinga, it should not come at the cost of what they have already built there. My prayer is that my visit sparked conversations that can help further strengthen the existing social capital already there.

Later this week, I’ll be publishing a more detailed summary of my time and talks there. For now, I leave you with this picture that only offers a glimpse of the natural beauty of Minas.

Standing with my cousin Felipe in the Bom Será water fall.

Category: Events & Travel