Artificial intelligence is just the latest instance of a technology that, by polluting and depleting, deprive people of life, liberty, and property without due process of law. People think of the perks it might bring them despite violating the Constitution.

So they convince themselves that it will actually benefit those it hurts. They can’t say exactly how, but they think if we just use more of it, it will somehow harm less than if we use less of it or not use it. I’m a fan of technology and innovation. I’m a bigger fan of liberty, freedom, equality, and democracy, which I don’t see working if we don’t enforce the Constitution.

If we have to choose between a technology that violates the Constitution and honoring the Constitution even if it means leaving the technology unused, I choose the Constitution. As Friedrich Hayek wrote, “We shall never prevent the abuse of power if we are not prepared to limit power in a way which occasionally may prevent its use for desirable purposes.”

• There will always be another technology that can save lives or enable some outcome we crave.
• There will always be someone we love to visit flying-distance away.
• There will always be another wonder of nature or culture to visit.
• There will always be another adventure to check off the bucket list.
• There will always be some efficiency to make us feel we pollute and deplete less.
• There will always be a reason to stay in the old culture.

Our lives will become richer, safer, more secure, and healthier when we acknowledge our limits.

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