Dignity Tech

I don’t know about you, but a huge amount of the news I get includes stories about AI. AI is going to make everything more efficient, eliminate millions of jobs, supercharge military threats, write our term papers, dismantle our identities, undermine our capacity to find truth, cure diseases, and be our therapists. In other words, AI is going to change everything.

Lost in all this for me is this: is AI going to make us happier? What are the chances it’s going to help us treat each other better? Or advance peace? Or have more joy? Is it possible that our species is now investing trillions and trillions of dollars in technology that won’t help us in the things that matter most and may well do the opposite? If so, why would we do that?

Over the last week, Linda and I have been blessed to be surrounded by our children, grandchildren and tons of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and more. Amid vacation days and weddings and family reunions, we talked about everything-- about jobs and purpose; about relationships and loves; about our crazy past and our hoped-for futures; about child rearing and elder care. We found time for walks and prayers and games and sports and nature and raucous stories. We mourned missing family members, wondered about how to help the country, and celebrated birthdays. It was priceless.

In all these moments, it was clear to me that in our family, we are all trying to learn another form of technology too—inner technology. Inner technology works from the inside out. It demands that I focus on myself: how I’m feeling, what I’m thinking, when I’m blaming, who I’m judging, where my heart is in the moment. I think of inner work as a “technology” too because it requires skillful means to manage oneself, one’s relationships, the context, the time. But it’s a technology we can’t farm out to anyone or anything else.  

We have our disagreements as a family—everyone does. But when those disagreements surfaced last week, I sensed that our family has grown in the use of inner technology. I noticed a new dynamic: we’ve become better listeners (I can’t wait to know if other members of my family agree on this!) Politics came up, but at least this summer, we were less likely to snap at each other. Old wounds surfaced as they always do, but I sensed more humility as we tried to ease the tension they create. There was more curiosity in our conversations and less judgement especially when we talked about each other! It was wonderful.

I won’t say that the Dignity Index deserves the credit for the changes I saw but I know it’s helped me. I’m reminded over and over again that the Index is a deceptively powerful tool for teaching the technology of our inner lives. Look at each of the top 4 levels of the Index and you can see a skill or “technology” you need to treat someone with that level of dignity. 

On level FIVE, for example, the Dignity Index requires listening skills. On level SIX, we need to awaken curiosity about the other. On level SEVEN, we must not only listen and exercise curiosity, but also awaken humility. And everything feels better if we have the level EIGHT superpower: the capacity to treat others with dignity no matter what.  

I know there’s a lot of conversation about how toxic things have become in our country, but I think there’s a more hidden trend too: there’s a lot more openness and even gentleness too. That’s what I saw when I was surrounded by family—a lot more openness and even gentleness too.  

So what would it look like if we really focused on that trend and planned to spend huge amounts of money and time to help us strengthen it? And if AI isn’t going to help us, shouldn’t we pause the spending of trillions of dollars until we figure out it any of it is going to make life more just and more joyful? I know we want efficiencies and knowledge but isn’t efficiency and knowledge supposed to be in service to happier and more fulfilling lives? To better relationships? To a more hopeful and creative and loving country?

I’m not naïve. AI is coming and coming fast. We all need to know what’s involved and how to respond.

But I’m also not afraid to say what I see as the truth: dignity is the most powerful and important and urgently needed technology right now. The most important superpowers lie within. Intelligence—artificial or human—has never enough to make life good. Treating each other with dignity could do just that.

I hope my family can continue to grow and strengthen in love and listening and humility and curiosity and dignity. And I hope yours can do. Those are technologies worth spreading.

Tim

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Dignity Updates

Tami and Preston have been busy bringing the Dignity Index into state government! Last week they presented to Utah Governor Spencer Cox (Tami’s former colleague!) and his Cabinet. And this week, they were in Denver working with Colorado Governor Jared Polis and his Cabinet. Governors play a critical role in building the dignity movement, and we all play a critical role in supporting governors and other elected officials who are working to change the tone of political discourse in our communities, states, and country. We’re lucky to be able to work with—and learn from—these extraordinary leaders!

Governor Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson with their Cabinet and leadership team.

Governor Jared Polis and Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera alongside their leadership team and Cabinet members. 

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☀️ Take The Dignity Index on Vacation

Family disagreements, even the minor ones, can feel like sand in your bathing suit. If you’re heading out with your family to enjoy this last chapter of summer, we’ve put together a few scenarios you may find yourself in, with easy ways to respond at a 5 and above on the Dignity Scale.

The list is waiting in the Dignity Group – so join today to read it, and start packing a little more dignity in your suitcase.

Click here to join!


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