The challenge between natural and artifical?
True or false in science communications, lectio magistralis by Ferruccio de Bortoli.
We have no right to be afraid of the future! That was the message from Corriere della Sera’s former editor Ferruccio de Bortoli, thought-provoking talk at Pesaro 2024 — Capitale italiana della cultura. There is simply too much at stake.
Communicating global developments in technology, custom and regulation is about us having to embrace a positive view of the future, where we see aging as an asset and faith in the future as our best resource.
The link between faith in the future and democracy is clear, according to the de Bortoli. When we believe in a better future for all of us, we strengthen our commitment to building a just and inclusive world.
Fear defends nothing, not even empires. History shows that even mighty empires can fall if they do not adapt to change and embrace the opportunities of the future.
To be afraid of progress is to ignore the lessons of history. By embracing new technologies like GMOs and taking advantage of our resources like hydropower, we can achieve great advances in food production and energy. Choices have consequences.
By devaluing the artificial, humanity devalues itself — Gio Ponti
We would get sick if we ate the same food as our ancestors. Italy closed its nuclear power plants after a referendum in 1987, now 15% its of energy consumption is imported from French nuclear power plants. Bad choices can add up to double up what was meant to be solved.
But it is not only technology that will drive us forward. We must also cultivate an attitude of trust and curiosity towards the unknown, with de Bortoli giving the example of how the metro in Milan was built without money from Rome or Brussels. Like Lombardy’s savings bank Cariplo, was founded in 1823 to meet the climate effects of the Tambora eruption, new innovative institutions can meet the challenges of climate change.
AI must become a signal for people, like Socrates, to understand that they know nothing and learn to know themselves. Then AI becomes a tool for human development.
De Bortoli ended by quoting the Hymn to Satan by Nobel laureate Giosuè Carducci.
It is a sign of the times that issues such as optimism, growth, and progress get mentioned by leading public intellectuals. Throughout history civilizations often respond to setbacks with “sour grapes” reasoning. Resilience becomes more important than sustainability. The question is if new institutions can be shaped to reflect this?
