Is recursive self‑improvement the dawning of AI superintelligence?
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Michael G. Madden, University of Galway and James McDermott, University of Galway
The US AI research company Anthropic has become known for building powerful AI models while simultaneously warning about their dangers.
I'm not a religious man. I do, however, hold to the theory that the universe is a living system, and we, by extension, are a reflection, or possibly the evolution of the universal consciousness.
I picked up and read The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz again this week. It's not a long read, but it is very relevant to this post.
Here's what the book is about.
The Four Agreements is a simple guide to living with more peace, freedom and authenticity. Its core message is built around four principles:
Be impeccable with your word. Speak honestly and use your words to build, not harm. Avoid gossip and say what you truly mean.
Don't take anything personally. Other people's actions and opinions usually reflect their own beliefs and experiences, not your worth.
Don't make assumptions. Instead of guessing what others think or mean, ask questions and communicate clearly.
Always do your best. Your best will vary from day to day. If you consistently give your genuine best, you'll avoid regret and unnecessary self-judgement.
My desk, in our summer house, in our garden. This is my writing desk. From here, I write and create music, listen to music and think deeply. I am happiest here.
I often wonder why. Why do I do what I'm doing? Why do I not do certain things anymore? Why don't people like me? Why don't I like people?
Why am I writing this blog? This question is probably the easiest to answer.
A few years ago, I became interested in telling my story. My life has been a rollercoaster ride. The highs and lows have caused great joy, deep sadness, and turmoil. But the ride is and has been incredible. The highest high was becoming a father. Parenthood completed me; it helped me find my rudder and, of course, some direction.
Early 2025
This is not another full surgery post. That story already exists elsewhere on this site. This is the bridge between the long archive and the present-day recovery.
By the time the archive reaches this point, the thread is clear.
Health stopped being background noise.
It became the story.
January to November 2024
This piece gathers the main personal health and work posts from 2024. It was a year of returning, relapsing, adjusting, worrying, working, gaining weight, losing rhythm, facing the hip properly, then getting knocked sideways by Covid. Not a clean recovery. More of a loop.
November to December 2023
This piece gathers the late-2023 health posts about arthritis, work, fear, fasting and another attempt to rebuild from what the body was saying rather than what the mind wanted to believe.
April to June 2023
This piece gathers a few short posts from spring 2023. Work had taken over. Health had improved. Money was still tight. Then, somehow, we made it across the Channel and gave Karta a few days in Germany.
January to March 2023
This piece gathers two updates from early 2023. After the health scare, the HGV licence, and the move into practical work, life began to settle into a different rhythm. Not easy. Not perfect. But steadier.
2022
This piece gathers posts from 2022. It was the year health, work, and money stopped being abstract problems. The year began with village life, writing plans and another attempt to build a simple rhythm. By spring, an HGV medical exposed the truth. By winter, I was driving grain lorries across the south-east of England.