Something Bigger than You or Me

The author reflects on a lesson learned during their early career at American Airlines, emphasizing the paramount importance of passenger safety over profits. They contrast this with experiences in the finance sector, highlighting a lack of integrity. The piece ultimately warns that the safety concerns surrounding Artificial Intelligence could pose an existential risk to humanity.

Artificial Intelligence has made a lesson I learned in 1977 relevant to every one of us.

In May of 1977, I began working for American Airlines as a computer programmer in the Operations Research Department. My first day was spent in Human Resources learning about policies, procedures, and benefits.

At the end of the day, when I met with the head of HR for the entire firm, I had one thing on my mind: the unlimited free systemwide travel privileges that came with the job.

“I want to welcome you aboard and give you this American Airlines lapel pin to wear with pride while on duty,” he began.

He handed me the pin. I tried to take it, but he would not let go.

“It is important that we both touch the pin while you listen to what I am about to say,” he continued.

“You need to know that there is one thing more important than profits. In fact, it is more important than everything else. It is more important than you, and it is more important than me.

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How to give me a negative reference on LinkedIn

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By: Brooke Allen (you will find my LinkedIn profile here.)

Be aware that on LinkedIn you cannot give me a negative reference unless I approve it.

This is bad news because if it is impossible for you to say something negative, then the positive things I might allow you to say must be taken with a grain of salt.

I want you to give me a fair and balanced reference so others can have an accurate picture of who I am, and I want you to let me know what I’m doing wrong and how I can improve.

But before you give me a negative reference let us establish a few ground rules. Let’s begin with:

Motivation – Why do you want to say what you do? Why do I want to hear it?

Familiarity – How well do you know me and my work?

Rationality – Are you basing your statements on facts and valid reasoning?

Let’s analyze each in more detail…

Continue reading “How to give me a negative reference on LinkedIn”