The Ai Volcano Part 1: Can the Lava Flow be Controled?

Ai Volcano: A Parable

The citizens of WildLife Island didn’t pay much attention to the molehill in the center of their isle. In fact, they thought it was rather cute, even desirable because it was the source of honey for the islanders. They called the invisible stuff that lit their lanterns honey because of the fireflies that glowed over the mound at night.

Generations came and went. The molehill became a mountain that towered over the entire island. Some islanders became specialists in turning the mountain honey into electricity. They became known as honeyologists. The honey lit the smart homes of the WildLifer’s, powered their EV’s, and charged their cell phones. They praised the mountain for its vast capabilities and abundant source of honey.

There were a few honeyologists who were quietly talking among themselves about suspicious rumblings in the mountain. They believed it had something to do with the new flavor of honey they had been working on. They called it artificial honey. These citizens liked it and said, “Give us more.” Little did they know that the honeyologists were skittish about the honey they were developing. It was intelligent and was bubbling up in the mountain. They nervously watched it bulge the sides of the mountain.

Late one evening, the mountain erupted. The citizens of Wildlife saw the bright, glowing plume belching out of the mountain. Their first thought was, ‘Wow, this has enough honey to fix everything.’  They had read about honey in their magazines, but had never seen it before. They were excited. Then they felt the heat. So some of them asked the honeyologists, “Is this safe?”

The honeyologists  answered, “Just look at the beautiful honey coming out of this mountain. Think of all the things you can do with it.” This they said hoping to calm everyone’s fears, even their own.

“But is it safe?”

The honeyologists replied, “It can make our island a utopia.”

The Game

There were a few WildLifers on the island who were no longer wild. They simply called themselves ‘Lifers’. They wouldn’t play the noun game. The Lifers said plainly, “Than’s not honey. It’s lava. Lava kills. We have to get off the island!”

The honeyologists signed a letter stating they would slow the honey. They mocked the Lifers calling them DullLifers and accused them of spreading fake news. But did the honeyologists even try to slow the flow of honey? Of course not. The honey was making them very wealthy.

So, they gave the WildLifers more honey. The honeyologists continued to develop their honey. They called it ChatGHT (Chat Godlike Honey Technology). The islanders dismissed the Lifers warning and began to chat-it-up.

As more honey oozed over the mouth of the mountain, it began to separate into tentacles and snake red-hot through the ravines and over boulders.

All-Consuming Flow

One alarmed citizen exclaimed, “That flow of molten honey could destroy my crops!” Another said, “That flow is coming after my child’s education.” Another said, “That flow is setting ablaze my Holy Book.”

Still, most of the citizens said, “The mountain has been good to us. It would never destroy us. Plus, we trust our honeyologisfs. Bring us more honey.”

Even though the WildLifers could see destruction increasing all around them, their leaders said, “Pay no attention to the DullLifers. We can save the island. The honeyologists said, Give us enough time and we’ll figure out how to make it safe,” All the while, the molten honey continued to destroy the island.

The honey wouldn’t cooperate with the citizens. It kept flowing. The WildLifers grew desperate as it pushed them closer to the water’s edge of the island. Their behavior became irrational. They fought among themselves. They gave themselves over to their wildest, basest passions.

Only the Lifers understood the true nature of honey, which they really knew to be not honey, not lava, but sin. They believed that without outside intervention by the Savior, the WildLifers, even the island itself would perish. Regardless of the ridicule and shaming they faced, the Lifers knew it was their mission to turn as many hearts as possible to the Messiah. He was their only escape.