The Legacy of John Doe #59 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

I have used this page to illustrate the legacy of those who could easily be lost. I include myself in that. I am conscious that the chain of my life stops with me. There are no little human horcruxes to carry me beyond my own life. I was reflecting on those whose legacy is not obvious, those who perhaps might have felt that they will be quickly or best forgotten. But that is true of no one. Everyone matters. Packie might not think of his life as a success, but I remember him so fondly. And I wanted to dedicate this to him.

Total Words

789

Reading Time in Minutes

3

Key Takeaways:

  1. Having purpose is important but our legacy is not just what we do on purpose but all the little things we do by accident of being.
  2. Legacy is not about ego and attribution. We have no idea which of the little things we do in a day can change someone else’s life forever. It’s the chaos theory of a tornado being influenced by minor perturbations such as the butter flapping its wings weeks earlier in another country.
  3. This is dedicated to all the John Doe’s who are lost or are lonely. Some are choosing to stay hidden and some feel invisible and just want to be seen. They have legacy too.

About Joan Mulvihill:

Flaneuse, Artist, Non-Techie Techie, Happy Imposter Opportunist.
At Congregation since the beginning – my Christmas gift to myself every year.

Contacting Joan Mulvihill:

You can see connect via Joan Via Instagram, Blue Sky, and LinkedIn.

By Joan Mulvihill 

 

She went to the same shop every morning, always rushing but as chatty as politeness for the queue forming behind her would allow. She was new to the town ten years ago. She was still new now. If you don’t know someone’s people can you really say you know them? She never appeared to be with anyone, no husband, no children but you think someone saw her with what must have been her sister once. After a few weeks someone commented that they hadn’t seen her in a while. Probably away with work. Or holiday? Maybe she’s moved to Paris again for a month. Do you remember the time she did that? And then months became a year and you’ve stopped wondering. Until one day someone comes in that looks like her and you remember again. Did she move away? Did she die? Check RIP.ie Does anyone know her name?

Who are you talking about? The woman who used to come in here, you know the one.. .and then, interrupted by a customer, shop life continues and she fades away again until the next time.

When I’m on Saunders Bridge, I think of poor Packie. That’s where I was when his funeral was happening. The saddest thing is that covid restrictions aren’t the whole reason there are so few people there. I would have been there. Poor Packie. He never touched a drop when there was dancing. If only the music had kept playing. Poor Packie. He used to wheel me around the yard in a wheelbarrow when I was small. He is ‘deeply regretted’ by his own family and mine.
What is the legacy of those whose stories are not carried through their children, whose heroics are not celebrated on plinths or plaques, whose estates are not of note for papers? What does it even matter. We cannot take it with us. So what are we leaving behind?

I’m just the woman who comes into the shop. And the woman you meet at Congregation, and the woman from the IIA and the woman who lived next door. Maybe I’m the woman who upset you once, who was impatient in the queue or rude on the phone? We’re all just going around littering legacy without much thought for what we leave behind.

Last year we wrote about Purpose but maybe our legacy is not something that we leave on purpose but rather everything we leave by accident, the accident of being. Maybe our legacy is all the random little things not attributable to us. We are just as butterflies, flapping our wings over here quite oblivious to our resonance over there…

When I’m on Saunders Bridge, I think of poor Packie. I don’t know who the Saunders are that they got a bridge. But Packie, you’ve got my page and I don’t give them away lightly. And maybe you’re on someone else’s page in Kilburn, someone you met at a dance one time, someone I’ve never met. That’s the thing about those butterflies, you just never know where or when they’re going to show up.

The Geological and Astrophysical Record; a Legacy for the Ages #58 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

The record of past geological and astronomical lives on for billions of year. This paper explores how this different vantage point affects the perception of our own legacy as human beings.

Total Words

813

Reading Time in Minutes

3

Key Takeaways:

  1. Understand the much longer timescale of the planet and the universe
  2. Discover what kind of records are left behind from natural processes
  3. Understand the use of such records
  4. Realise the limited record left by human activity, even today

About Benjamin Thébaudeau

I am the geologist for the Joyce Country and Western Lakes aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark, of which Cong is one its communities.
I work with communities, businesses and local schools to improve the understanding of our landscape and our care for it
The Geopark’s main objective is the sustainable development of its communities for the benefit of its future generations

Contacting Benjamin Thébaudeau:

You can see connect via email or see his work in the Joyce Country Geopark or on Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube): @JCWLGeopark

By Benjamin Thébaudeau 

Our life as human beings, the lives of our family, of our town, even the sum of all that human civilisation have ever produced or will ever produce will have only the tiniest effect on our planet and even less so on our galaxy. We live about 100 years if we are lucky and our species, homo sapiens, has existed for about 300,000 years on our planet. But our planet is 4,600 million years old and our universe 3 times that age.

The types of record found through space is essentially from to the radiation emitted from stars like our sun through their own lifecycle. The light that we can see from the closest galaxy to earth, Andromeda, is 65 million years old; the age of the dinosaurs. These radiations can tell us about the type and age of stars, the type of planetary system, the composition of the planets’ atmosphere. This has already allowed us to discover planets with similar parameters to our own that could host liquid water, a key component for the development of life as we currently understand it. All these endeavours and exploration, as when exploring the infinitely small of the particles that make up matter is of tremendous metaphysical importance and will have a lasting legacy on our understanding of the universe. It might also lead to the development of new technology or energy sources as it did with nuclear energy in the 20th century.

The types of record found in the landscape and rocks of our planet and other rocky planet of our solar system can inform us on the movement of continents, the ocean cycles, the construction of mountain ranges and eruption of massive volcanoes. It can also reveal past environments, climate patterns and habitats as well as the evolution of life. It allows us to recognise Mars as an analogue of Earth in its early days, frozen in time due to the lack of plate tectonics and its light atmosphere. Closer to home, we have extensive records of ancient supercontinents, of a time when the planet was covered entirely in ice (snowball earth), and it reminds us of an ancient ocean (Iapetus) that separated Ireland in 2 up to 420 million years ago and of the connections we have with northeast America, the Atlantic ocean just separating us from our previous neighbour in the last 100 million years. More importantly for our landscape, it reminds us of a time not so long ago (16,000 years) when Ireland was still under ice sheets that shaped the valleys and plains, hills and mountains and the numerous lakes they left behind. Understanding these records is vital to the management of our mineral resources including our water.

When it comes to the types of record we as humans leave behind, we can look at Archaeology and the science of Taphonomy or decay that tell us what happens to various material (organic or inorganic) when they die or are abandoned. Our hunter/gatherer ancestors left very little traces behind beyond the shaped stone tools they used and the evidence of disappearance of ancient megafauna they likely caused. Since the advent of agriculture, settlement buildings and land management have started to leave traces we can recognise in the sediments and soils. The expansion of crop fields and pastures has meant a reduction in the amount of wild forest and a change of habitats detectable in the record. Today, our plastic rubbish accumulates as a new layer in the sediment record while radioactive isotopes released from nuclear explosions appear as clear markers of our modern activity, notwithstanding the elevated carbon dioxide found in our atmosphere that will be detectable for thousands of years to come. In the end the planet and universe will be fine, but what will we have left behind if anything ?

The Ending of an Era: How AI is Redefining Our Legacy #57 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

When we look back on this time, it will feel as transformative as the arrival of the internet. The tasks we grapple with in our work today may soon feel as antiquated as sending mailshots via post. But our legacy won’t just be about adapting to AI; it will be about how we shaped its impact.

Will we use AI to solve meaningful problems, unlock creativity, and deepen human connection? Or will we let fear hold us back from progress?

The tools may change, but the essence of work—creativity, connection, and innovation—remains timeless. As we approach this new era, the question isn’t just about how we’ll work—it’s about what we’ll leave behind.

What kind of legacy will you create in this AI-powered era?

Total Words

1,237

Reading Time in Minutes

5

Key Takeaways:

1. We Are at the End of a Work Era
The way we’ve worked for decades—manual processes, human-first systems, and intuition-driven decision-making—is giving way to a new era where AI is integral. Just as the internet revolutionised communication and productivity, AI is poised to redefine how work is done across industries.

2. AI is a Tool for Amplification, Not Replacement
AI isn’t here to replace human creativity or ingenuity; it’s here to amplify them. From automating repetitive tasks to uncovering insights faster, AI allows us to focus on high-value, strategic, and creative efforts.

3. Change is Uncomfortable but Necessary
Like previous technological leaps (e.g., email replacing post, cloud computing streamlining collaboration), the integration of AI into the workplace comes with challenges. However, embracing this evolution with curiosity and intention can unlock incredible opportunities.

4. This is a Pivotal Moment for Humanity’s Future
We are at an inflection point where the decisions we make about AI will shape the trajectory of work, society, and even human identity. Our legacy will be defined by how we balance innovation with intention, using AI to bridge gaps, foster inclusion, and create a better world for generations to come.

About Maryrose Lyons:

Maryrose Lyons is the Founder of the AI Institute.
Passionate about the intersection of humanity and technology, Maryrose is a vocal advocate for using AI as a force for good, empowering individuals and organisations to adapt, lead, and leave meaningful legacies in this transformative era.

Contacting Maryrose Lyons:

You can see connect with Maryrose on BlueSky and LinkedIn.

By Maryrose Lyons

The Ending of an Era: How AI is Redefining Our Legacy

Think back to the 1990s. If you wanted to run a marketing campaign, it meant designing a flyer, getting it printed, stuffing envelopes, and paying for postage—then waiting days or weeks to see any response. Today, you type out an email, hit send, and track real-time analytics within minutes. What once required a team days of effort can now be done solo in an afternoon.

That shift wasn’t just about speed or convenience; it completely transformed how we approach work. Now, we’re standing at the precipice of another revolution—one driven by AI. This moment isn’t just another technological shift; it’s the end of an era.

**The Evolution We’ve Lived Through**

Whether you’re in marketing, project management, or customer service, you’ve seen firsthand how work has evolved. Remember the days when scheduling a meeting required endless phone calls and calendar coordination? Now, tools like Calendly handle it in a few clicks.

Or think about data analysis before Excel and cloud computing. Teams relied on hours of manual calculations, prone to errors. Then the internet introduced tools that made global collaboration and data management second nature.

We didn’t just survive these changes; we adapted and thrived because of them. They freed us from the mundane and let us focus on creative, strategic thinking. The same is happening now with AI—but on an even more transformative scale.

**How AI Fits Into This Evolution**

Just as the internet redefined work in the early 2000s, AI is revolutionising nearly every task we do today.

Writing a report? Tools like ChatGPT draft polished versions in seconds.
Generating a design? AI platforms like DALL-E can create stunning visuals in moments.
Sorting customer data? Machine learning algorithms uncover trends faster and more accurately than ever.

AI isn’t just about doing tasks faster; it’s about doing them better. These tools enhance our work, allowing us to focus on the big ideas that truly move the needle. They’re not here to replace us—they’re here to make us better.

**AI as an Amplifier, Not a Replacement**

What’s exciting is that AI isn’t just about automating the old ways of working—it’s opening doors to entirely new opportunities:

Content creation: Entire marketing strategies, once requiring weeks of effort, can now be ideated, drafted, and optimised using AI-powered platforms.

Recruitment: AI tools don’t just match keywords; they identify candidates based on skills, values, and potential fit in ways even seasoned recruiters might miss.

Customer support: AI chatbots don’t just answer FAQs; they learn from interactions, offering smarter, more personalised responses over time.

Much like the internet transformed us into publishers, AI is making us collaborators with tools that think, learn, and create alongside us.

**Navigating the Challenges of Change**

Change, however, is never easy. When email first arrived, many feared it would depersonalise communication. Today, similar anxieties surround AI. Will machines take over our roles? What happens to our sense of purpose if AI can perform tasks we took pride in?

But this is where our real legacy takes shape. AI isn’t about removing the human touch—it’s about amplifying it. It lets marketers focus on crafting unforgettable campaigns rather than manually crunching numbers. It enables engineers to innovate instead of getting bogged down in repetitive debugging.

The real question isn’t whether AI will change work—it’s how we’ll use AI to transform it for the better.

**Building the Legacy of Tomorrow**

When we look back on this time, it will feel as transformative as the arrival of the internet. The tasks we grapple with today may soon feel as antiquated as sending marketing mailshots via post. But our legacy won’t just be about adapting to AI; it will be about how we shaped its impact.

We are standing at an inflection point for humanity, a moment when the decisions we make today will ripple into the future for generations to come. AI is not just another tool—it’s a force that could redefine what it means to work, collaborate, and create. Whether we use it to deepen human potential or allow it to widen gaps in equity and understanding will depend entirely on the choices we make right now.

This is a time to be bold, to embrace AI not with blind optimism, but with intention and care. It’s up to us to ensure that these technologies amplify creativity, solve meaningful problems, and serve as bridges rather than barriers. The way we integrate AI today will set the foundation for how societies thrive tomorrow.

Will we lean into this change, guiding it toward progress, inclusion, and shared success? Or will we leave it to chance, missing an opportunity to truly transform the way we live and work? The tools may evolve, but the heart of our legacy lies in how we rise to this challenge—with wisdom, courage, and an unwavering commitment to shaping a better world.

As we approach this new era, the question isn’t just about how we’ll work—it’s about who we’ll become.

What kind of legacy will you create at this crossroads for humanity?

Legacy in Green #56 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

A whimsical reflection that reimagines forest creation as a construction project, weaving together themes of impatience with natural processes, urban development, and environmental legacy. A meditation on meaningful inheritance, a suggestion that nurturing nature may be our most valuable gift to future generations.

Total Words

683

Reading Time in Minutes

3

Key Takeaways:

  1. Impatience vs. Natural Time
  2.  The Richness of our Natural Environment
  3. Alternative View of Construction
  4. Redefinition of Legacy

About Aileen Howell:

I am, amongst many other things, a mother, a carer, a creator, a tinkerer, a crafter, and a lover of nature. My happy place is to be in the woods or by the sea. I believe that talking the key to everything.

Contacting Aileen Howell:

You can see contact Aileen by email

By Aileen Howell

I want to build a forest. No, you read that correctly – I don’t mean plant/grow/cultivate – I mean build. I don’t want to sit around and wait for it. I want people in hardhats, wearing hi-vis jackets and carrying clipboards stuffed with papers to walk around the empty field waving their arms and gesturing expansively to each other.

I want to awaken to the sound of heavy machinery moving in, working quickly and noisily to transform the landscape in a matter of hours. I want to see pallets
rolling in, stacked high with leafy Oaks, slender Elders, sturdy Ash and expansive Chestnut trees all waiting their turn to be slotted into their place with perfunctory efficiency. I want to watch in wonder as the landscape transforms from a flat green plain to a sensory wonderland of trees, bushes and brush. I want to pass each day and wonder at the changes wrought in 24 short hours. I want to see the moving vans pull up and unload unruly families of deer, badgers, rabbits and hares. I
want to see them pick their spot and settle into making it home. I want to wonder at the speed in which they create their own community. I want to watch as nature paints the woodlands for the seasons.

No gaudy, flashing lights and tinsel – just the brilliant palette of verdant green, glowing yellows, warm oranges and soft browns morphing into sharp greys and glittering frosty whites. I want to watch the tiny green buds appear and daily push outwards before bursting in the world in the gentle explosion of leaves and flowers. I want to watch in fascination as entire eco-systems evolve in the blink of an eye. I want to see the crumbling, dead carcass of a fallen tree teem with life – the springy, yellow jelly of Witches Butter, the impossible whiteness of the glistening porcelain mushrooms, the frantic skittering of the busy woodlouse. I want to know why we can build a towering block of flats, stripped of all expression of character and flair, in the space of months.

Why we can transform a bare strip of land into a bustling thoroughfare filled with people, pets, noise and lights in the turn of a season but to create something of nature, to generate peaceful progress, to mend the space, to turn over possession of the land to Mother Earth we need to wait. We cannot simply dream that peace into existence. We cannot fill out the correct forms and permits and wait for the trees to spring forth.

Legacy is so often associated with the tangible, physical, man-made evidence of our existence. I want my legacy for my children and their children after them to be something worth so much more than bricks and mortar. I want my voice to carry in the wind that brushes through the leaves. I want the memory of my life to be felt in the strength of the sturdy tree trunks that covers and protects the microcosm beneath its canopy. I want the wisdom of my time to be felt in the soft, yielding forest floor that gives life to so much beneath the surface. I want to be remembered in the silent stillness of a woodland in winter.

Legacy – Does a Virtual Legacy Mean Any Less than a Physical One? #55 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

This blog explores the concept of legacy, comparing physical and virtual forms, and reflects on how digital creations and shared stories can leave lasting, meaningful impact.

Total Words

770

Reading Time in Minutes

3

Key Takeaways:

  1. A legacy’s value lies in its emotional and inspirational impact, whether physical or virtual.
  2. Digital creations can serve as powerful reminders of the people who made them.
  3. Stories of resilience highlight both the strength and fragility of human hope.
  4. Honoring legacies involves preserving their meaning and sharing them to inspire others.

About Camille Donegan:

Camille is a Virtual Reality producer and advocate for Immersive Technologies. She runs Eirmersive, the voice of the Irish Immersive sector. She is passionate about the positive transformational power of immersive mediums and how they can impact humanity.

Contacting Camille Donegan:

You can see contact Camille by email or connect with her on LinkedIn

 

By Camille Donegan

Maya Angelou famously said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This week, the VR global community mourned the unexpected loss of Daniel Bryant, a Welsh virtual world-builder and educator. Many people, shocked by his death, commented on how they had entered the industry because of him. He was hugely generous with his time and talent. Reflecting on our many meetings, two moments stood out to me. One was when he told me about his new campervan and his plans to explore the Scottish Highlands—a dream that sparked my own wanderlust. The other was when he was helping Solas VR, the meditation start-up I was working with, to customise spaces for our virtual sessions. He brought us into a space beneath a colossal tree, its chaotic, meandering branches forming a wild, organic cathedral of sorts. He had built the tree as a personal project, but he saw how it could become a sanctuary for meditation. Avatars could even climb into the branches to meditate aloft, enveloped in tranquility. It was uniquely Daniel: innovative, thoughtful, and generous.

I am certain that was just one of countless virtual worlds he created—worlds where others learned, connected, and found inspiration. His creations, though digital, resonate profoundly in the memories of those he touched.

Another legacy weighed on my heart recently. Kandaliss, a young woman I had worked with on Lost & Found, an immersive empathy film about homelessness, also passed away unexpectedly. The film told the stories of six people who had endured homelessness and emerged on the other side, filmed in the “forever homes” they fought so hard to secure. Kandaliss, fierce and articulate, became a powerful advocate for the film. Her words were magnetic, bordering on spoken word, and in every auditorium where she spoke, you could hear a pin drop. Her voice commanded attention not just for her story but for the stories of so many others.

At her virtual funeral, I found myself questioning the legacy of that film. Does it live on after her? Should it? Could it? Her family might have to approve its continued use. Should it now include an addendum, acknowledging the poignancy of her own struggle—a struggle that ultimately reclaimed her?

Both Daniel and Kandaliss, taken too soon, left legacies that, while virtual, carry immense weight. Their lives remind us that a legacy is not merely what we leave behind but how it shapes and moves others.

For Daniel, perhaps we could honour him with a promenade virtual funeral, walking through the digital worlds he so lovingly created. His spaces could become a tapestry of remembrance, woven with the stories of those who were inspired by him. For Kandaliss, could we continue sharing Lost & Found, reframing it not only as a story of hope but also as a call to action, a deeper reflection on how fragile that hope can be?

Does a virtual legacy mean any more or less than a physical one? People celebrate the legacies of great writers and artists through the tangible works they left behind. Yet, in a world increasingly shaped by digital connections, a virtual legacy holds just as much power to inspire, console, and endure. Its meaning, like any legacy, depends on the human soul behind it and the ways it touches others.

Thank you, Daniel and Kandaliss, for your virtual legacies. You have left us not just with memories but with questions worth exploring, stories worth retelling, and worlds worth revisiting. I hope to continue honouring you both, bringing others along on the journey to remember and celebrate the beauty you shared.

Dad #54 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

A Dad’s passing. An Australian ex-pat son’s return from Ireland’s County Mayo to a farm in the Australian bush 400km west of Sydney, to be there.

Total Words

493

Reading Time in Minutes

2

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Business of Death.
  2. Ancestral expectation.
  3. Ex-pat dilemma.
  4. Legacy of a sandwiched generation.

About Hubert Francis:

Tenor, Teacher, Educator, Award Winning Vocal & Executive Presence to the Corporate Sector & Educator of Chakras & Guided Meditation.

Born & raised on a sheep & cattle property on the foreshores of Lake Burrendong near Mumbil in Central Western NSW, some 400km north west of Sydney. Educated at Shore in Sydney, a year as an Exchange Student in Switzerland, a decade in Travel Sector before studying voice at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music in the U.K.. Subsequently successfully auditioned for The Royal Opera Covent Garden’s Young Artist Programme where spent 2002-2004. Freelancer ever since. Only Australian with more than 200 performances at Covent Garden over the last 20 years.
Performances also in Adelaide, Amsterdam, Bergen, Bregenz, Brisbane, Dortmund, Dublin, Geneva, Helsinki, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tel Aviv & Toronto amongst others.

Lives with family in Castlebar. Teaches & consults from home. Online & in person clients in Australia, U.K. & Ireland.

Currently reading ‘Be a Better Ancestor’ series by Irish born, Sydney based lawyer, Donal Griffin of Legacy Law.

Contacting Hubert Francis:

You can see contact Hubert via email or see his work on Hubert Francis.

By Hubert Francis

A380 kisses the midwinter tarmac of a Sydney dawn. Connecting flight over scarred sandstone outcrops smothered in eucalypts giving way to green expanses of winter crops.

Strange embraces, emotions new for Dad’s gone. A legacy pondered.

Almost a century in one homestead, one farm, droughts, floods, plagues, wars, atomic bombs, landing on the moon, Hitler, Imperial Japan, Churchill, Kennedy, Vietnam, Whitlam, bushfires, rites of passage celebrated, acknowledged on a verandah in searing heat, before an open fire, biting frost promising outside.

Our eulogies two. Siblings reflect and interpret. Values, principles, trust, dear loyal friends, boarding school, jobs, travel to four continents. Great Wall of China, Zimbabwe, Grand Canyon & London’s Imperial War Museum.

The odd pride and shadow of being fathered by a decorated war hero. An overlooked traumatised generation forgotten & pinched between those who shared World Wars.

Oh Dad, so many occasions bidding farewell. Ex-pat embracing, clasping a parent. Gnawing ‘last time’ question.

Your clothes, cards, coins, photos, ancestors & belongings. Transitions from youth to grave. Evocative scents. Surprises & memories many. Hug Mum. Hug Mum again.

Will, Hospital, Death Notice, Crematorium, Funeral Director, Order of Service, Death Certificate, Solicitor, Accountant, Bank, certified copies, emails, call centres, lists, thank-you cards, we do it differently, terse words, tension, laughter, love, goodbyes.

October return. 777 rolls the damp Dublin tarmac. Bus through Port Tunnel & up the Quays for Westport train from Heuston. Hugs in Castlebar. Home ?

The Legacy of Homo sapiens in the Age of AI #53 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

“The Legacy of Homo sapiens in the Age of AI” reflects on the idea of legacy, both on a personal and a collective level. It begins by exploring the values we might want to pass on to future generations, such as kindness, curiosity, hard work, joy, and love. It then considers the broader legacy of humanity as we reach a defining moment in history: the creation of artificial intelligence that could surpass human intelligence. The article highlights the importance of developing AI ethically and responsibly, ensuring it contributes to human well-being. Ultimately, it suggests that humanity’s legacy will not only be measured by what we create but by how well we preserve and share the values that make us human.

Total Words

807

Reading Time in Minutes

3

Key Takeaways:

  1. Legacy and Values: Personal and collective legacies are rooted in kindness, curiosity, hard work, joy, and love.
  2. AI’s Historical Impact: Humanity is at a crossroads, creating intelligence that may surpass our own.
  3. Ethics and AI Governance: Our species’ future depends on developing AI responsibly to enhance human flourishing.
  4. Preserving Humanity: Embedding core human values in AI ensures our legacy reflects the best of us.

About Victor del Rosal:

Victor del Rosal is Chief AI Officer at fiveinnolabs. He has worked as Director of Strategy and Business Development at CloudStrong, Irish cloud services provider, and as Head of Business Analysis for High Tech & Telecom at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Supply Center of Excellence.

Victor is author of the book Disruption: Emerging Technologies and the Future of Work, ranked #12 on BookAuthority’s Best Technology Trends Books of all time.

He is lecturer of MSc in AI for Business and other Masters programs at National College of Ireland and corporate trainer on generative AI for the UCD Professional Academy (Dublin, Ireland).

Contacting Victor del Rosal:

You can see connect with Victor on LinkedIn or see his book HUMANLIKE

 

By Victor del Rosal

What do I want my legacy to be? What do I want to be remembered for? What do I want to leave behind? These are questions we might ask ourselves. When I do, I think mostly of my children. Four answers come to mind: kindness, curiosity, hard work and joy. Ultimately, the fifth one would be the most important: knowing that they are loved.

But what if we took a step back and reframed these questions from a collective point of view: What might be the legacy of Homo sapiens?
What do we want to be remembered for as a species? What do we want to leave behind?

We have been around as a species for over a quarter million years, or closer to 300,000 years to be more precise and, according to Raup and Stanley (1978), the average lifespan of mammalian species is estimated at 1-2 million years, so we might still have a little bit longer to go. Not so fast, though, there might a ‘but’ and an ‘if’ in there…

We stand at a pivotal moment in human history. Our species, which evolved through the Great Leap Forward some 50,000 years ago gaining remarkable cognitive capabilities, is now on the verge of creating artificial minds that could match or exceed our own intelligence.

This isn’t just another technological milestone, it’s potentially the most consequential development in our species’ history. We are literally creating new forms of intelligence, something that has been the exclusive domain of evolution for billions of years.

The legacy question becomes even more profound: Will we be remembered as the species that successfully navigated the transition to an AI-enabled future, ensuring these powerful tools enhance rather than diminish human flourishing? Or will we be known as the ones who created our own successors without sufficient forethought?

Our legacy might well be defined by how we handle this transition. The decisions we make today about AI development, ethics, and governance will echo through generations, potentially affecting not just our children, but the very trajectory of intelligence in our corner of the universe.

How to successfully navigate this transformation? This is my question. We might need the kindness to ensure AI benefits all of humanity, curiosity to explore its possibilities responsibly, hard work to get it right, and a focus on joy to maintain our essential humanity.

Most importantly, just as I want my children to know they are loved, perhaps our greatest legacy as a species will be ensuring that whatever forms of intelligence we create are imbued with the values that make us human at our best.

We might be at a crossroads in the evolution of our species, and our legacy may ultimately be measured not just by what we create, but by how well we preserve and transmit the essence of what makes us uniquely, intensely, and authentically human.

Legacy, What the Hell is It!? #52 #cong24 #legacy

Synopsis:

What the hell is legacy? Never-mind figuring out what we want ours to be! In this short piece I share what I have experienced, through my profession, to be legacy for some. I also share a couple of tools that I feel may be helpful in determining what we might mean by legacy, and perhaps, what we might want ours to be!

Total Words

798

Reading Time in Minutes

3

Key Takeaways:

  1. Legacy is deeply unique
  2. Many of us have no idea what we want it to be, yet
  3. Memento Mori might help clarify it
  4. And they say we die twice, this might help clarify if either!

About Paddy Delaney:

Paddy Delaney is a repeat Cong-ist, who returns for the sheer curiosity and sense of fun of meeting a great melting-pot of humans each (most!) years! I live on the ‘Meath Gold Coast’, am blessed with a wife and 3 kids, and love what I do; running a boutique financial planning business for really sound retirees.

Contacting Paddy Delaney:

You can see Paddy’s work on Informed Decision.

By Paddy Delaney

Ever think about how many humans have walked this Earth before us? Have a guess!

Turns out, it’s about 117 billion.

That’s a lot of lives, and legacies left!

And here we are, part of this epic human story, wondering the same thing those 117 billion people likely did: What’s my legacy going to be? And perhaps also wondered, what is legacy!?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially because of the work I do. I’m a Financial Planner who works almost exclusively with those who have successfully existed ‘work’ and are living their ‘next chapter’ with freedom and joy! I get to see firsthand how the idea of legacy shapes the choices people make in their retirement. For many, there’s a focus on leaving a meaningful financial legacy, provided it doesn’t come at the cost of their own financial freedom. Or so I generally insist! After all, enjoying your retirement and staying independent is important.

And nor does anyone want to accidentally spoil their loved ones by handing them so much that they never learn to stand on their own two feet. There’s a a balance to be struck when it comes to financial legacy to loved-ones. Leaving a legacy to an entity or charity can also be fraught with challenge, knowing who to leave it to, and who will ensure it is has the desired impact on the causes you care about.

What Legacy Feels Right for You?

Legacy can mean so many things to different people though. Its not just money.

But what the hell is Legacy, to you and to yours!?

2 possible tools to help us explore? Momento Mori and Dying Twice!

  1. Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to “Remember you must die.” It’s a concept rooted in ancient philosophy, particularly in Stoicism, and was later embraced in Christian art and culture. Rather than being grim or morbid, memento mori serves as a reminder of life’s impermanence and the inevitability of death. The idea isn’t to dwell on mortality in a negative way but to use it as motivation to live a meaningful and intentional life. It’s a prompt to focus on what truly matters, avoid distractions, and act with urgency on the things that align with your values. For example, the Stoics would often reflect on this concept to remind themselves that time is precious and that we should act wisely and virtuously because tomorrow is never guaranteed. In essence, memento mori asks us: If you could leave this world right now, would you be content with the life you’ve lived and the legacy you’ll leave behind? If not, it’s a gentle nudge to start making changes today.
  2.  “They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing, and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name on Earth for the last time”. When will your name be mentioned for the very last time, and by whom, and what will they say!? It’s a fascinating question to ponder!

My Conclusion

Great news is that we can choose to make ‘legacy’ as big or as little a deal as we feel appropriate. We may feel that lots will pay any heed to what we leave, or none at all! What strikes me most is how often legacies are found in the small, everyday things. Sure, your loved ones might remember the inheritance or the house you left behind. But people that interacted with you in any way may remember how you made them feel, the values you passed on, and the brief little memories you created together. That’s legacy, to me, right now!
Paddy Delaney

#cong24 Press Release

Legacy Footprint Left in Cong

(11/11/2024) Who, how and what is remembered after we pass away are some of the topics that speakers from the America, Portugal, England, Poland and all over Ireland will debate in Cong Village on Nov 23rd at the annual ‘Legacy’ themed CongRegation unconference.

Entering its 12 year, the free open entry three day CongRegation mind mesh features a mix of talks, huddles, workshop, open mic, social events and a book launch.

The event kicks off on Friday 22nd  with a ‘Night of Legacy’ in Ashford Castle with Chief Legacy Officer Sherrie Rose who is flying in from San Diego to join UK based storyteller Clare Murphy and author and CEO of Shine Your Light Dr Eileen Forrestal to deliver a series of thought provoking talks on Legacy.

The main feature of the weekend is the unconference and discussions over intimate huddles which takes place on Saturday 23rd in multiple social venues throughout Cong Village.  After all 100 speakers have presented the group will split into the different workshops in Ryans Hotel before dinner.  International clowning expert from San Francisco Moshe Cohen will explore legacy and the things that matter through mime and movement, while artist Zanya Dahl will guide the group towards capturing and expressing their thoughts through the visual medium of drawing.   Building on the legacy theme the final Existential Eulogy Workshop by philosopher, psychoanalyst and founder of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland Dr Stephen Costello will see attendees attempt to record the essence of their life by scripting their own eulogy before exploring its implications.

The evening will finish with a fireside chat to launch ‘HUMANLIKE The AI Transformation’ with book author Victor Del Rosal and moderator Joan Mulvihill in Danaghers Hotel.  The OpenMic featuring poetry, songs, tributes and stories will bookend the evening before attendees mingle late into the evening.

The final event of the weekend will be a Legacy Walk through Cong Abbey with story telling, history and lore.

In order to get a free ticket for this event each attendee produces a submission on theme of ‘Legacy’ that is posted on the www.congregation.ie.  Submissions are still being accepted.  Full details on the website.

CongRegation is supported by Mayo.ie, MKC Communication, Blacknight Solutions, the IRDG Innovation Skillnet, the ICBE Advanced Productivity Skillnet, Informed Decisions and Grow Remote.

For further information please contact:

Eoin Kennedy, +353 86 8339540, eoin@congregation.ie

Legacy: Mind, Meaning and the Freedom to Choose #51 #cong24 #legacy

William O'Connor

Synopsis:

Despite what society, including organised religion, may claim, our universe offers no inherent meaning. Only when you grasp this truth and seize control of your destiny can you truly examine the societal meanings imprinted upon you since childhood – meanings shaped by language, culture, and creed. These are the rules that are meant to be broken. Forge your own path. Define your own purpose. Let this be your legacy.

Total Words

1,288

Reading Time in Minutes

5

Key Takeaways:

  1. Uncertainty is the only certainty there is.
  2. Every single thing in the entire universe including your own existence is a product of this uncertainty.
  3. This is why the most random experiences can re-route your future including your legacy in an instant.
  4. Your primary duty is to yourself, and that duty is to make your own meaning.

About William O'Connor:

William (Billy) T. O’Connor is Foundation Professor and Director of Teaching and Research in Physiology at the University of Limerick School of Medicine, Ireland. He also holds a position as Visiting Research Scholar at Flinders Medical School in Adelaide, South Australia.

Contacting William O'Connor:

You can connect with William via LinkedIn or see his work on Inside the Brain.

By William O’Connor

Two fundamental laws govern our reality and they both describe the nature of energy as it relates to our Universe. The First Law of Thermodynamics, sometimes called the Law of Energy Conservation, tells us that energy cannot be created or destroyed – only transformed. For instance, the burning of coal transforms its chemical energy into light and heat energy. The Second Law of Thermodynamics, however, governs the direction of these transformations, introducing the concept of entropy (uncertainty and disorder) and tells us that it constantly increases. For instance, the burning coal disperses the ordered molecules in (solid) coal into a more disorganized state found in the smoke (gas). These two laws, shaping the flow and transformation of energy, set the stage for everything we experience in the physical world.

The second law of thermodynamics is such a breathtakingly profound insight, and its understanding is the greatest achievement of the human mind. If there is one testable truth that explains the behaviour of the physical world – what we call reality- it is this law. This single principle doesn’t just apply to burning coal or dispersing gases; it shapes the unfolding of everything, from the stars in distant galaxies to the fragile balance of life on Earth, and to the personal identity that makes you, you.

Simply put, the second law of thermodynamics is a law of nature telling us that in our Universe, uncertainty and disorder can only increase and can never decrease. In everyday life, this explains why you have no idea what the future holds for you, and why the most random experiences can re-route your future including your legacy in an instant.

The second law of thermodynamics explains the origins of reality by tracing a path from the moment of the big bang. From that initial explosion emerged primordial matter in the form of hydrogen. Gravity then coalesced hydrogen into stars to randomly generate the heavier elements like carbon, oxygen and iron through nuclear fusion, and how the energy released by that process sustains life here on Earth.

Unlike cultural, political, and religious beliefs, a belief in the second law of thermodynamics costs you nothing and does not require your loyalty. It simply is. No other philosophical belief rests upon such a verifiable, fundamental truth. According to this law there IS life after death, but not in the way we might traditionally imagine. It’s not the persistence of “me” or personal consciousness. Instead, it’s the infinite life force found in the recycling of the building blocks that make life, and that make you.

The probability that you came to exist at all is testament to the power of this uncertainty – the power of possibility. You are the product of the fusion of just one of twelve trillion sperm cells created by your father with just one of 100,000 egg cells created by your mother, which made the fertilized egg that came to make you. The odds of this precise union, the one that led to you, are roughly 1 in 400 quadrillion. To put it another way, imagine winning the lottery against truly astronomical odds. While the chance of any one person winning is minuscule, someone eventually wins. And in the grand lottery of life, that someone, against all odds, happened to be you on the day you were conceived. Now that’s an achievement worth celebrating.

You and all other life in the entire Universe are a product of this fundamental uncertainty. From a purely human perspective, our understanding of nature tells us that existence is devoid of inherent meaning and there is no point to it. Therefore, it falls upon each individual to forge their own purpose, and to create meaning amidst the chaos. It is up to each individual to make their own meaning. Consider the brevity of your individual impact: You emerge from an anonymous stream of humanity, shaped by a handful of recent ancestors—your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. You, in turn, shape a few generations of your own descendants and then your contribution dissolves back into an anonymous stream of humanity. The only life lived is remembered in the here-and-now. The rest is lost in the wind.

The second law of thermodynamics tells us that there is no pre-ordained meaning woven into the fabric of the universe. However, while there are some things you cannot avoid such as school and taxes you are largely free to chart your own course Your purpose can be whatever you want it to be and is yours to define. Just as boundless number of possibilities converged to bring you into existence, there are countless number of things for you to do while you are figuring that out.

You only live once, and your life is random and transient. A chance meeting leads you to your profession and the places you visit. That same randomness decides the people you meet including your life-partner. The irony is that you may regard this randomness as stressful – as a stone in your shoe never knowing what is going to pop up, when the secret is that embracing and surfing this wave of randomness is what makes your life what it is. Mental health is being curious and open to new experiences. When you embrace life’s uncertainty then countless possibilities open in your life. The same random possibly than generated you in the first place. Accepting this reality frees your mind and lets your spirit soar.

You have no idea what your future holds and even the most random events can re-route your future in an instant. Despite what society, including organised religion, may claim, our universe offers no inherent meaning. Only when you grasp this truth and seize control of your destiny can you truly examine the societal meanings imprinted upon you since childhood – meanings shaped by language, culture, and creed. These are the rules that are meant to be broken. Forge your own path. Define your own purpose. Let this be your legacy.

Once you grasp the profound truth that your life, and indeed the entire universe, is devoid of inherent meaning then a subtle shift occurs in the mind that truly seals your fate. The understanding that your legacy is the freedom to harness your imagination and passion to create your own meaning and chart your own course in life. To create a self-forged purpose to guide you as you make authentic choices in the pursuit of your own truth, and there can be no judgement.