Brain Capital = brain health + skills
Brain Capital >> Ai Capital
But Ai capital is growing at 10x pa
Can Brain Capital keep pace.
Do we need cognitive gyms ?
Is technology the answer ?
Ai kills thinking just like calculators killed basic mathematical ability making America the world leader in poor mental health. Ai will accelerate the global destruction of Brain Capital – to an extent – which is far greater than the total market valuation created by Ai.
The Deendayal Research Institute, is an “on the ground” institution that I rate as among the best – not just in India but anywhere in the world. DRI hosted the Swadhyay Mandal event on Brain health yesterday.
Lutyen Delhi intellectuals were at the event in full force. From BJP Vice President and fruit merchant – Raj Kumar Bhatia to Ayush leader Dr Manoj Nesari; from DRI President and host – Amitabh Vashisht to lake restoration crusader and Delhi MLA Jitender Mahajan. The conversation was kicked off by India’s most eminent neurologist and UN speaker Prof Rajendra Dhamija with an excellent presentation. And the audience was gracious enough to let me speak in English at an event in the national language.
It was a pot churning session with the best ghewar and kachori I have ever tasted. But is churned the mind like few others do.
Dr Nesari asked “how does a newborn know it has to drink milk. How does it know where to find it ?”. A much sharper take to my often repeated “the cat does need to go to school to learn how to catch a mouse.” As one of India’s most accomplished Vaids, he generated more questions in my mind than I could get answers to.
But the three key questions I got at the event are priceless:
– the largest strength of India is not its land or population. It is brain capital. Thanks to minimal use of technology, India’s brain capital per capita is 3x of USA. And we have 10x the population making India 30x of USA. Will an ai augmented US population be able to cross this 30x chasm. Can we widen the chasm ?
– this brain capital difference comes from more meaningful social relationships, stronger family bonds, relatively lower processed foods, extensive consumption of fresh produce and better adherence to circadian rhythm. Will this advantage go away with ubiquitous and extensive use of mobiles.
– we are increasingly seeing mental health issues similar to those seen in the U.S. Just like kids get guns and shoot others, India has been witnessing surprising murders. In India close to two lac people commit suicide annually. With just a few thousand healthcare providers – can we use technology to provide personalised counselling. Over 20,000 students commit suicide because of their inability to deal with various pressures, including peer pressure.
Talking of technology, Nike now sells mind altering shoes. We sold rudraksh malas. Is that the way to go;