Why are we hitting a peak of AI interest these past few years?
One thought: people notice noise before they notice signals. Noise demands reaction. Signals require attention.
Patterns exist, but we lose sight of them in the rush to chase what we are told is urgent.
A sabbatical is a chance to close the gap between capability and actuality. A break in rhythm invites awareness.
New country. Different language. Slow meals. Long walks. Conversations without clock watching. When noise fades, patterns appear.
Signals stand out again.
If noise is too constant, awareness narrows. Work follows the same rule. Trends do not hide. The Cost of Confusion grows when urgency crowds out understanding.
AI reflects this same truth. Systems learn from whatever we feed them. When the inputs come from noise, the outputs amplify confusion. When the inputs come from signal, the outputs strengthen insight.
Attention shapes intelligence, human and artificial. The world does not reward speed if speed leads in the wrong direction.