This is the time of year to wish peace on Earth, a goal and prayer that seems always before us, and “When will we ever learn?” echoes in our minds.

But what if you had a magical chance to change things….?

If you woke to find a genie sitting on the edge of your bed, willing to grant you three wishes, what would they be?

I pondered this question many years ago and was recently asked it again in an interview. As a child, my answer was always simple and the same: I’d wish for a horse. 

As I grew older and more sophisticated, I started appreciating the entanglement of the question: What kind of horse? Do I need to use my remaining two wishes for funds to maintain the horse and keep it healthy? How much do I wish for? What if someone I loved got sick, and I had to use a wish to make them well?

In fairy tales, I noted that the first two wishes, though well-intentioned, got the protagonist into hot water of some sort, and the third wish invariably had to be spent rectifying the situation. Very poor decision-making, in my opinion. The same is true in writing, a decision by the characters often takes the story in another direction entirely. 

I pondered the problem (because you never know when you might find a genie on the edge of your bed, right?) When the solution came, I was very relieved. I had the answer. I was prepared. The resolution was beautiful in its simplicity and legal soundness: My first wish would be—to be granted three more wishes whenever I used up the other two! Clever, right?

As an adult, I realized that the real lesson of fairy tales was not how to use one’s wishes wisely, but that there are always unintended consequences. 

Creating more food with less work and loss is a worthy goal, and we have accomplished it. It came about through the use of pesticides that, indeed, resulted in fewer insects, but also killed off the beneficial insects along with the pests and introduced sneaky carcinogens into our food chain that, in turn, raised health care costs and cut short the lives that “more food” was supposed to support. 

China tried to control its population growth with a one-child limit, which resulted in a significant reduction of female babies (which were seen as less desirable than male children), and now, the country has negative population growth and a problem with too few women available for marriages.

In New Zealand, rabbits were introduced and became a problem, so they brought in stouts (a type of weasel) to eat the rabbits. However, now, the stouts are a threat to the bird population. 

In the American South, we are “blessed” with kudzu, a prolific Asian vine imported for cattle grazing. Unfortunately, cattle don’t like it. It will eventually consume the world. 

Even wishing for “peace on Earth” could have unintended horrific consequences. Rome’s centuries of peace (Pax Romana) came with a price in blood. Hitler wanted a reign of peace. He just needed to conquer a few countries and wipe out a few peoples first. 

This is one of the problems we would/will face if Artificial Intelligence (AI) were tasked with such a goal and could make real-world changes. Imagine what lengths it would go to ensure “peace!” We might be stripped of the ability to speak freely or even interact or force-fed the “blue pills” [The Matrix] to remain in contented ignorance. Freedom and safety have always been a matter of delicate balance and unintended consequences.

It can be overwhelming. But, as ancient sages have said:

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
Do justly, now.
Love mercy, now.
You are not obligated to complete the work,
But neither are you free to abandon it.“

So, yes, we must work for peace, and I will gladly spend a wish on it, but perhaps it should include a well-thought-out document with a team of lawyers, futurists, and philosophers! Even then, hang on, because we know what happens to the best-laid plans of mice and men….

Happy Holidays to All!

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