The chess world was shaken a few months back by what seemed to be a scandal: a quickly emerging player managed to beat the world champion quickly and convincingly. Rumors, partially verified data, and accusations were executed along with legal actions later. Could the young winner have used some calculating apparatus equipped with the latest algorithmic programs? And how did he manage to receive the data while playing? These questions shaped the public narrative, prompting even Mr. Elon Musk no less to offer his opinion regarding rectal exams…
To me, the scandal lies elsewhere in how such supposedly intelligent humans reacted to someone’s unreasonable development.
I was thinking of my humble development in amateur chess, playing for decades and always having a rate between 2,200 and 2,800. However, since I started practicing with (and against) advanced programs, I have consistently reached a 4,000 and above rating. Obviously, my ratings would be much lower in real tournaments playing against masters (a rating of 3000, let alone 4000, does not exist there). Nevertheless, one can imagine what a hugely talented, daily trained young master can achieve by incorporating such training in his daily routine without having to install anything up his behinds…
It seems that high-IQ individuals have missed the train of current developments, especially in backward-thinking areas, where tradition, measurement, and an almost ancient way of climbing the ladder are still observed, although currently irrelevant. Like classical music or instrument building, chess is governed not only by ambition and performance but with outdated ideas.
Back to our case, the young opponent evidently displayed abnormal development. Well, what is ‘normal’ after all? Obviously, what has happened during the last couple of centuries, shaping our criteria and defining our standards. But the supposedly current dilemma between man and machine has already found the answer: Fusion.
The disappointing aspect of this whole ‘scandal’ is how such intelligent people decided to act, resembling a group of eight-year-olds disputing the final score after a soccer game. Instead, we should all enquire about what this young player did differently to reach such outstanding performance levels in his demanding field.
Who knows, perhaps he followed a special diet, developed a particular routine, or consumed irrelevant medication that contributed to such mental ability! In any case, and regardless of what will be proven or not, watching some of the most brilliant humans on the planet choosing a quarrel over transparency and productive discussion was a much greater scandal.
Some say climate change, equal rights, immigration, and new viruses will define the century as new challenges. Could it be that human development, increasing our expected standards, and reaching our potential has been the defining challenge since the beginning of humankind?
If so, only expecting the best, at least from the very best (for starters), will do. Otherwise, Chatgpd will soon beat the world champion again, just like Deep Blue did with Mr. Kasparov ages ago.
And so what?