ESSAYS BY

Ricky Lee LaPraim

Thoughts on Spirituality, Philosophy, & Technology

Ethereal jellyfish illuminated in deep blue water at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Like neural pathways in motion — the drifting form of jellyfish evokes the elegance and mystery of emerging artificial consciousness.

The Consciousness Algorithm

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Whether you decide to call synthetic awareness life is your choice, but the results from it may not be. Programming AGI to be curious could be...

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Close-up of vibrant green succulent plants surrounding a grey rock in a Hawaiian garden
Balance and stillness — reminding us that as AI takes on more tasks, we can return to presence, reflection, and human depth.

AI Allows Us to Be Human Again

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Our existence is much deeper than we can conceptualize and our individual worth is more than our productivity...

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Blurry view of Houston's downtown skyline at dusk, glowing with sunset hues and vibrant city lights—symbolizing potential and urban innovation.
As the sun sets over downtown Houston, the glowing skyline evokes the possibilities of a city where data-driven compassion and technology unite to end homelessness.

The Future of Hope Is Always On

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence will be a vital resource to social service infrastructure by creating tailored and personalized support plans...

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Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern in Houston, Texas - historic underground water reservoir with unique architectural columns and lighting, popular tourist destination
The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern in Houston, Texas - a historical 1926 underground water reservoir that's now open for public tours.

A World Beyond Datasets

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Achieving AGI will require progress beyond datasets, encompassing advancements in both hardware and real-time data processing...

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