Source of unique human potential in children

What can be understood about how flourishing develops and dies in the age of AI?

Up until now, parents who wanted their children to live the life of the 1% used to have two clear paths to follow: 1) get admission to a prestigious university 2) obtain a degree in finance, law, a business management MBA or any computer science field.

Even if their child didn’t rank at the top of their profession, parents could rest assured knowing they would secure a well-paying job and fare better in life than most without these degrees. Two reasons why this used to work:

1. there were ample ‘bullshit jobs’ to go around in those sectors.

2: technology and zeitgeist had yet to reach the level to force the great re-shuffle , which is eloquently explained by Jim O’Shaughnessy in the linked thread and video.

Now, the life choices you make lead to a rapid increase in uncertainty and complexity of the outcomes.

Things are getting more complicated with AI starting to replace white collar jobs. Suddenly, to get paid the big bucks, you need to have unique skills, interests, authenticity, metacognition and what not. Additionally, confidence in what you are doing is handy, which comes from a deeper why.

It seems like the Gods are tired of the prevailing mediocrity and are pushing individuals to become more interesting. Evolution does tend to drive an increase in complexity , when it’s required for survival. But we are going down kicking and screaming. Resisting evolution of ourselves, instead seeking solace in the endless availability of entertainment and distractions to quiet our underlying anxieties.

Here are some bold claims that I am going to explore in depth :

• Our emotional and cognitive development lags behind that of the pace of technological advancement. This impacts how we ‘parent’, the value of our parental interactions and advice.

• Most adults are unaware how the subtle ways their own unexamined lives, wants, needs, fears and hopes impact the ability of their children to flourish and reach their full potential. There is a lot to unpack here.

• Jobs that no one would choose if money were not a factor, if they were not pursuing other people’s dreams or acting out of fear for self-preservation - these jobs will gradually be automated or become low-paying. Hence, the conventional security of just attending a top tier university and pursuing a booming industry ceases to be a guaranteed ticket to a comfortable retirement.

In the future, those who can identify and develop their unique skills, passions and interests will find plenty income security and abundance. Knowing what is driving you will give the necessary fuel to achieve mastery in the chosen field.

But how does one Find and Nurture their unique skills, interests, passions?

And how does one link and cultivate these qualities within a field that is complex and interesting enough to be valued?

Interests so closely tied to a child’s uniqueness that they create a life filled with vitality?

Interests that are strong enough to provide the necessary perseverance to become masters in their field, enabling them to become exceptional individuals who are truly free in the age of intelligent machines?

These are the topics I am going to explore in this blog.

This domain is non-linear. There is no direct route, only increased understanding.

My background : I am a Russian- born, Holland raised, London based trader since I finished a Master’s in Economics in Amsterdam. After trading in investment banks for years, I left to trade my own capital and run my NGO which I started 11 years ago. I am married and have a 7 year old son. I have witnessed poverty, powerlessness and immense wealth and power, and how they impact individuals, whose minds in turn naturally shape the lives of their children.

There is a call for me to share from own diverse experience and from what I have learned.

Besides trading, my interests have become much broader over the years - philosophy, epistemology, anthropology, societal and human development, cybernetics, Taoism, consciousness, psychology - everything that contributes to solving the puzzle of a life well lived. I find it exciting to see the various fields seep into each other.

So why do I think I can write about parenting and developing unique potential?

As a trader you learn to act under high uncertainty and think in probabilities

You must have crazy confidence to try again, even if you have been beaten down for a long time.

You need to be able to assess realistically if you are bullshitting yourself , because if you don’t, you will lose.

You need to be able to ask good questions and change your mind quickly.

You have no time for empty blabla and must quickly get to the core of the issue.

As a trader, by the nature of the job, you are interested in the future and past: how companies, countries, industries and people, develop, succeed and fail. You are interested in where the wind is blowing.

I see so much resemblance between great parent-child interaction and great trading: one needs to drop the ego 90% of the time (which sounds easy but it’s not) , yet have the confidence to persevere in those 10% when you have a strong advantage (only when you know you have that edge) . It is more about what you don’t do than what you do.

And what the heck is Wu - Wei?

The philosophy/ancient wisdom I have found to be the closest approximation of a well lived life/ source of optimal relationships. It implies many truths, one of them not acting against the natural flow of things. It does not imply drifting passively like a lifeless piece of wood in a river, but rather it’s like being a fish directing it’s course, instead of merely being carried along.

It involves noticing the direction of the flow , having a clear understanding of the surrounding reality, whilst using all available senses. It is actively using the flow whilst exerting minimal effort. And most importantly - not fighting against it.

It is not ‘chilled out, let it be’ parent. There won’t be a 5-step plan or ‘advice’ as to what to do or not to do , no course on the exact balancing between hippy and helicopter parent, because the person who puts in unnatural effort is bound to cause an adverse reaction. I won’t insult your intelligence like that.

A human being is capable to execute natural own right action or non-action if the right understanding is present. I will include real examples of topics that can arise in most parents/children’s lives. My writing is for people who understand that we are unlikely to be at the top of cognitive and emotional development as humans/parents /children and are curious to see what’s further. It is also to keep myself honest.

You may believe you will never become that whiny old man/woman with outdated and regularly voiced strong beliefs. I wouldn’t be so certain... Throughout history, most of each previous generation believed they had attained the utmost wisdom and therefore could impart it upon the younger generation. But in hindsight, the majority proved to be delusional, with only a few individuals truly living ahead of their time. No one can be certain whether they are the exception or the rule…

The next article is going to be an exploration into what makes a parent’s life advice naturally absorbed and what repels and causes subconsious revolt within the child. It always seemed such nonsense to me, that simply because someone is older, they are automatically wiser.

Thank you for reading.
Anna