Recently, a bizarre death was reported in most news outlets. A 14-year old boy fell in love with an AI image. This computer-generated image became so real to him that he saw her as a real person. Ultimately, he killed himself with his father’s pistol in order to “be with her.” The story is so shocking that it may have grabbed your attention. The boy’s mother is suing the maker of the program, saying they deliberately created it to make it addictive.
I’m sure it is. But also a factor was the boy’s inability to understand the reality of the program. He didn’t have the basic life wisdom to realize it was only a graphic presentation, not a real, sentient human like himself. Really sad.
It’s a tragic example of how important wisdom is while a child is growing up. Kids need the kind of wisdom that helps prepare them for the challenges of adult life. They don’t get much wisdom at school. Maybe they can acquire some if an English teacher helps them understand the themes of literature. But mostly school is about learning facts and skills. And what they gain from their peers is often the opposite of wisdom.
No, wisdom has to come from their parents, who can share what they understand about how the world works.
I grew up in an interesting family, the oldest of eight children. My mother loved raising small children. But doing this was hard work and kept her so busy all day that she almost never had time for heart-to-heart talks. And my father always came home every evening wanting to relax and be entertained. My parents loved us and did their best to provide food, shelter, clothing, etc. The truth: I have no recollection of any wisdom I gained from them while growing up. None of us were encouraged to go to college, though three of the eight did, and graduated. On the other hand, two did not graduate from high school. Sadly, one of my brothers was a compulsive liar and was killed in a drug deal gone bad.
The wisdom I have today is the result of several decades of searching, study, and reflection. And I’m still at it.
You need to share what you know about the ways of the world and how to get along with people. Give what you have. A good model: continue to be a seeker of wisdom yourself, sharing what you learn with your child. I have written about this elsewhere:
Talks: The Window of Opportunity for Wisdom
Wisdom, Choices, and the Life Path
Wisdom for an Adolescent Child