Build things that surprise you
From an early age, I have been captivated by surprises. The thrill of a well-crafted plot twist in a novel or an unforeseen turn in a game made me feel invigorated. As I matured, I realized that "Building Things That Surprise You" became the core principle guiding my work, connecting my various pursuits in life.
Growth and surprise are inextricably linked. Personal growth necessitates change, which requires recognizing our current state as inadequate. This realization prompts us to redefine our role within our perception of reality. Surprise and learning also go hand in hand; we only learn when we encounter the unexpected. Without surprises, we would never expand our knowledge.
As I embarked on a journey to find meaning in my work, I discovered that surprises are more than just sources of pleasure and learning—they can also facilitate meaning through infinite play.
Infinite Play
We are all participants in various games, such as wealth accumulation, career advancement, and the pursuit of fame and status. Games can be categorized as finite or infinite. Finite games are played to win, while infinite games are played for the sake of continued play itself.
Finite players frequently alternate between attempting to win a game and seeking new games upon victory. This restless search can be challenging, leading to feelings of emptiness once a goal is achieved. By embracing infinite games, I found meaning in my work.
Infinite players focus on prolonging play, as exemplified by Walt Disney's famous quote, "We make money to make movies, not make movies to make money." According to James Carse's book "Finite and Infinite Games," surprise is integral to both types of games. Infinite players embrace surprise as a reason to continue playing, while finite players rely on surprise to keep their opponents on edge.
Manufacturing Surprise: Creating Meaningful Experiences
There are three primary ways the things we create can surprise us:
Unanticipated uses by others: People often find unconventional applications for products, such as fan theories about books or TV shows, which spawn dedicated forums and YouTube channels.
Discovering surprises during the creation process: Research and writing can lead to unexpected findings, deepening our understanding of a subject and fostering personal growth.
Self-generating surprises: Organizations, movements, and AI systems can follow unforeseen trajectories, providing a constant source of surprise and engagement.
AIs as Surprise Engines
Traditional software development demands precise instructions for computers to follow. However, machine learning algorithms "learn" to achieve success by analyzing data, allowing for more unpredictability and surprise.
Large Language Models (LLMs) are particularly surprising due to their emergent behavior, which can't be fully predicted. The capabilities of systems like GPT-3 extend beyond their initial training, often resulting in unexpected applications. Researchers have even found ways to improve LLM performance in logic tasks through prompt adjustments, demonstrating AI's potential for surprise.
As AI systems become more complex and capable, their ability to generate surprises will grow. Building AI systems may become the ultimate source of surprise, driving creativity and innovation.
Our fascination with surprises is deeply rooted in personal growth, learning, and the search for meaning. Embracing infinite games and harnessing the power of AI as a "surprise engine" can foster creativity, innovation, and a deeper understanding of the world. By pursuing surprise, we not only build a more dynamic future but continue our quest for growth, knowledge, and meaning—a true testament to the human spirit and our innate desire to explore the unknown.