Ogun reimagined as a digital entity,Aeon Futura LLC

Sacred Circuits: Bridging Tradition and Tech with Eshu and Ogun

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In a modern world run by ever-evolving tech, it’s easy to lose our connection to ancestral wisdom that paved the way for innovation. But what if I told you that you could tap into the primal power of ancient deities and fuse it with modern tech? Let’s holla at two forces from Yoruba mythology that make that possible, Eshu and Ogun, and yep, they’re more relevant than you think. Step outside the box with me for a minute. 

Let’s break this down. Ogun, the iron-forging warrior and creator of tools, is the patron of all things industrial and engineering. He’s the one you call when you’re building from scratch—a raw force of innovation and resilience. Then there’s Eshu, the trickster god of crossroads and communication, who thrives in chaos, guides through ambiguity, and opens paths where none seem to exist. Together, they’re a powerhouse duo for anyone navigating the digital landscape.

First, we have the orisha, Eshu. The big dog of the crossroads, the sly trickster of communication who thrives in chaos, guides through ambiguity and paths.  Then there’s the orisha, Ogun, the big fella with iron tools. He’s a warrior of the forge, big brother of all things industrial and engineering, loves metals and yes, there are metals in technology if you didn’t know. 

I can hear it now, “But how can we invoke them into our work with tech?” Easy. Easy. I’m getting to it. Be patient and let’s keep going. 

 

Eshu reimagined as a digital entity

Eshu reimagined as a digital entity

 

Eshu, Digital Trickster, Network Architect 

Even in tech, Eshu is still the big man at the crossroads. His energy lives in the cables that carry data, algorithms that drive search engines and feed you content based on your likes and the encryption protocols that keep secrets on lock. But don’t forget that he likes to play tricks and reminds us that trying to reign in chaos can open up new paths. 

Invoking Eshu in Tech

Open the Crossroads: Place a key or small token near your workstation as a symbol of unlocking pathways. Think of the sweets you liked in childhood and give him a piece.

Solve with Playfulness: When you’re stuck, think like Eshu. Look at problems from unconventional angles, and don’t be afraid of the outcome. Tech isn’t for the timid.

Mantra for Clarity: When faced with tough decisions, call on Eshu. If you’re initiated, then call on him silently in that way or you can come up with your own way. Something like “Eshu, orisha of the cross roads, help me out and guide me through this digital labyrinth.”

 

 

Ogun reimagined as a digital entity,

Ogun reimagined as a digital entity,

 

Ogun, The Innovator, Infrastructure Engineer

Ogun runs the forge, but in today’s world, his forge is anywhere ideas are made tangible. Think of places like the server rooms, in strategy meetings or late-night grind sessions. Ogun’s energy is the drive to create, innovate and solve problems which pushes tech to its limits and beyond. 

Invoking Ogun in Tech:

Forge Your Workspace: Dedicate a corner of your office or workstation to Ogun. Include a small piece of metal, like a USB drive, and a symbolic flame, such as a candle or LED light.

Offerings: Ogun respects hard work and determination. Pour out a drop of coffee or rum or both before starting a major project. He works hard for you so why not give him something to drink? Daily Mantra: Begin your day with Ogun’s energy: “Big Brother Ogun, guide my hands to be like yours, to conquer any challenge and clear any pathways that obstruct me.”

Bridging the Old and New

When we invoke them, we do more than pay homage to ancient deities in our tech work, we build a connection between what’s old and new. They remind us that tech is about intention and creating something that serves a purpose and forging pathways that connect us all. 

So, the next time you boot up your computer or dive into a challenging project, think of Ogun’s hammer striking iron and Eshu’s laughter at the crossroads. Honor their legacies with your work. Build, connect, and create with fire and finesse.

 

If this has been helpful and if you want to, you can leave me a tip. Any amount is fine. I appreciate it.

Module 4: The Risk of Misinformation and Deepfakes

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Generative AI has made creating deepfakes dangerously easy, and while the technology itself isn’t inherently bad, it’s how it’s used that raises red flags. Imagine fake videos of world leaders announcing declarations of war or manipulated audio that could ruin someone’s career. The ability to create these fakes undermines trust, not just in individuals but in institutions, media, and the very concept of truth.

But it doesn’t stop there. AI-driven misinformation campaigns can create fake news articles, fabricate quotes, or even generate entirely false events with startling efficiency. The problem isn’t just the creation of misinformation; it’s its speed and scale. Generative AI can produce fake content faster than fact-checkers can respond, and when combined with social media algorithms, it can go viral before the truth catches up. This section emphasizes why it’s crucial to develop tools and policies to detect and combat these risks.

 

Bias and Fairness in AI Models

AI bias isn’t just a tech problem,it’s a societal one, too. When generative AI is trained on data sets full of historical biases, those biases get baked into the system, producing outputs that can perpetuate stereotypes or discriminate against certain groups. For example, an AI used in hiring might prioritize male candidates over equally qualified women because its training data reflects historical gender imbalances.

The stakes are high. In fields like healthcare, biased AI could lead to unequal treatment recommendations for different demographic groups. Or in law enforcement, facial recognition software with inherent racial biases could misidentify individuals, leading to wrongful accusations. Fixing this issue isn’t as simple as tweaking a few lines of code, it requires a systemic approach, from diversifying training data to questioning the assumptions built into algorithms. Bias isn’t just a technical flaw; it’s an ethical challenge that reflects the prejudices of the real world.

 

Privacy and Surveillance

Generative AI pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with data, and while that’s exciting, it’s also deeply invasive. AI models can analyze and predict human behavior based on the tiniest breadcrumbs of personal data. For example, generative AI can use fragments of someone’s online activity to create eerily accurate profiles, predicting preferences, habits, and even vulnerabilities.

Surveillance tech is another slippery slope. AI-powered facial recognition can track individuals in public spaces without their consent, creating a level of monitoring that’s both unprecedented and unsettling. Imagine living in a city where every move is tracked, analyzed, and stored. Generative AI can even create synthetic voices or clone someone’s likeness, making identity theft more sophisticated and harder to detect.

The challenge is finding the balance between innovation and accountability. Privacy isn’t just a legal issue, it’s a human right. This section underscores why we need stronger laws, better oversight, and more transparency to ensure that generative AI is used responsibly and doesn’t infringe on individual freedoms.

 

Quiz Time

 

Question 1:

What is the primary concern with deepfakes created by generative AI?

A. They are expensive and difficult to produce.
B.They can spread misinformation and damage trust in the media.
C. They are only used for harmless entertainment purposes.
D. They improve the accuracy of digital content creation.

 

Question 2:

How does bias enter generative AI models?

A. AI developers intentionally include bias in their systems.
B. AI models learn biases from historical and incomplete training data.
C. Bias is impossible in generative AI models.
D. Bias comes from using too much diverse data.

 

Question 3:

Which of the following is a privacy risk associated with generative AI?

A. AI is unable to generate personalized experiences.
B. AI creates fake profiles based on a user’s personal data without consent.
C AI eliminates all human oversight in data analysis.
D.AI makes data collection unnecessary.

 

Question 4:

What is a potential negative impact of AI in surveillance systems?

A. It makes cities safer for residents.
B. It creates unfair monitoring practices and erodes personal privacy.
C. It ensures all individuals are treated equally.
D. It helps reduce costs for law enforcement.

 

Question 5:

Match the ethical concern to its real-world example:

A. Misinformation –
B. Bias –
C. Privacy – 

Options:

  • AI systems prioritize one demographic over another in hiring decisions.
  • Generative AI fabricates fake news articles that go viral.
  • AI surveillance tracks people without their knowledge or consent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feel free to comment below.  Also, if this has been helpful and if you want to, you can leave me a tip. Any amount is fine. I appreciate it.

Love's Rapture single cover2024 Justin Anderson/Aeon Futura

Love’s Rapture: Experimenting with AI Music

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I just got went back into the AI lab and extended my R&B track by adding lyrics. No lie, I’ve been vibing to my own shit since then. Damn, it’s scary how good AI is getting. It ain’t there yet but it could possibly take on and eventually take out the mainstream music industry. Anyways, enjoy Love’s Rapture by my first artist, Nubia Tyler.

https://youtu.be/f2GkMNcxtxk?si=jcOK5Gjc6FUUlRmJ