I have been brainstorming ideas here and there, writing imperfect theories about art and AI while navigating my job-seeking journey. As I did some reading, I was reminded of Yuval Noah Harari's observations regarding the cooperation between Peugeot and the Homo sapiens paradigm in his work. This led me to think about LinkedIn's tendency to flag profiles that incorporate AI in their content or information as being “not a profile.”

In my country, where French is commonly spoken, meaning can often get lost, particularly when there is a cultural or “colonial discourse” involved. This brought to mind René Magritte's famous painting and the infamous phrase “Ceci n’est pas une pipe.” The notion of “Ceci n’est pas un profil” on my LinkedIn profile is rather amusing and sarcastic. The painting depicts a pipe, yet everyone wonders, “What is it if it is not a pipe?”

Based on Harari's Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, I would argue that this phrase resembles the thoughts of a Neanderthal, and here’s why: the cognitive revolution that marked the development of Homo sapiens happened around 70,000 years ago, accelerated by subsequent revolutions in agriculture and science, while Neanderthals were not included in this advancement.

Since then, Homo sapiens have developed complex language and deep communication skills, creating social algorithms that reflect both completed and incomplete patterns. In contrast, Neanderthals did not develop advanced skills in various fields, which ultimately contributed to their extinction. I like to think of Neanderthals as being in a denial phase regarding the evolution of the mind and the accompanying revolutions. While Homo sapiens thrived, why didn’t Neanderthals evolve cognitively or adapt their habits?

Their lack of meaningful patterns prevented them from understanding the algorithmic nature of existence. Today, we see similar denial among some Homo sapiens regarding the rise of AI. This raises concerns about declining intelligence and creativity. Research shows a significant crisis in creativity across all fields, including the arts, characterised by shorter attention spans, diminished exposure to real life, and an overreliance on technology. These factors contribute to laziness, resulting in a lack of critical thinking and an imbalance in brain activity. To remain “human,” we need to nurture both sides of our brain.

These observed patterns suggest that cognitive skills in humankind have deteriorated over time. As we rely more on easy solutions, we find less meaning in the tangible world. Take art, for example: its perception often reflects an elitist view of life. People's reactions to art can evoke the essence of a Neanderthal, who might struggle with minimal attention spans and the confusion that arises from confronting artistic expression. A Neanderthal would not understand sarcasm, unlike Homo sapiens, who possess the adaptability and critical thinking necessary to navigate humor and language.

Research indicates that confusion in meaning for some individuals may relate to conditions like schizophrenia or brain damage. Thus, platforms like LinkedIn and corporations cannot effectively assess skills and abilities through brief personality tests, diminishing the role of human resources. In the past, LinkedIn wouldn't have flagged users of AI as guilty, nor would individuals feel betrayed by language, as Magritte might suggest in his surrealist approach. Ferdinand de Saussure’s theory in Course in General Linguistics posits that any sign derives its meaning from us; a tree may merely be a tree, yet it can also symbolise life. Conceptualised signs create realities.

If I had found it easier to adapt to AI, I would have understood that creativity cannot be measured by a quick personality test aimed at fostering innovation. I wouldn't live in denial of evolution. Just as “this is not a pipe,” “this is not a profile,” and similarly, my analysis might be dismissed, as I too would say: “Ceci n'est pas un article.”

References

Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Chapter 1, An Animal of No Significance, page 3.
Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Chapter 2, The Tree of Knowledge: The Legend of Peugeot, page 28.
René Magritte, The Treachery of Images, 1928-1929.
Ferdinand de Saussure, Cours de linguistique générale, 1916.