Can AI solve the conflicts in the Middle East?

November 11, 2023

Can AI solve the Israeli-Arab beef?

Not any time soon. Artificial intelligence (AI) is computerized human-like intelligence; it is not magic. AI is very much still in its infancy. For the time being, AI cannot force solutions onto humans or otherwise solve problems that humans do not want to solve themselves. 

The solution to the Arab-Israeli animosity requires upgrading the cultural programming of both sides. That would help them accept reality and cheer for peaceful coexistence and collaboration. Peaceful coexistence has been the norm for millennia and will prevail in the long run. Regardless of transient outbursts of violence, over time and in average, peaceful coexistence between humans always prevails. This is because peace is more convenient and less painful than war and terrorism. In the human world, the most convenient and less painful option always prevail in the long run. 

Outsider's Perspective

For outside observers, the animosity (the "beef" in American slang) between Israelis and Arabs, between Jews and Muslims, appears to be culturally endemic to both sides. The rivalry seems to be programmed into the very essence of the cultural identity algorithm of each group. Both cultures seem centered on stressing their differences instead of their similarities. 

A solution to the "beef" in the Middle East is to update the cultural programming of both sides. However, there is still no feasible way to force a mental software update on humans. The virus of mythology, for example, is almost impossible to eradicate by force. The animosity in the region seems to have a lot to do with their common roots and the disparate branches of religion. 

So long as the cultural basis of both sides of the conflict continues being based on ancient religious mythology, rather than in modern technology, the cultural animosity will continue. The animosity will spark horrific violent events every now and then, but in the long run peaceful coexistence will prevail. Peaceful coexistence between Arabs (vast majority programmed by Islam) and Israelis (vast majority programmed by Judaism) is not only possible and feasible, but it has been the historical norm. These two cultures share the same origin and have collaborated with one another for millennia. 

Monotheist Mythology

Muslims, Christians, and Jews follow the same monotheistic mythology, but are divided by rivalistic or tribalistic interpretations and modalities. A Jew is a follower of the Semitic god of the desert as interpreted in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Jewish identity is based on following the original and most "true" word of said god. A Muslim is a follower of the same god as specified in the Quran. The Muslim identity is grounded in following the most up-to-date and "true" word of the god as explained by the prophet Mohammed. A Christian follows the same god as specified in the New Testament of the Bible. 

Monotheism or monotheistic mythology is the #1 Middle Eastern export and one of the top human inventions of all times. The mythology of the "one and only" invented by Semitic nomadic tribes in the Middle East has spread throughout all of the world. Approximately 4 billion humans, about half of the world population, are said to believe in or conceptually follow the Middle Eastern monotheistic mythology to one extent or another. The concept of a "one and only" almighty god has impacted to one degree or another the cultural programming of all humanity.

The Middle Eastern god of the desert invented by the ancestors of Israelis and Arabs has conquered the world. It conquered Europe via Christianity. From Europe, it spread to Africa, the Americas, Oceania, and many parts of Asia via both European and Arabic colonization. To this date, the monotheistic mythology continues spreading worldwide through globalization. 

Storytelling Primates

Humans do not recognize themselves as smart animals (storytelling primates). Humans are so good at storytelling that they believe their own fantasies and tales. Humans do not see themselves as members of one and only race of African homo sapiens. Instead, the vast majority of humans conceptualize themselves as creations of imaginary gods and thus outside of the kingdom and the rest of nature. 

Humans do not seem to understand their animal nature and the constraints that biology impose on them. Humans invented mythology before they discovered biology. Mythology proved very convenient for early humans, both rulers and followers. Mythology can serve as a powerful mental analgesic helping humans cope with the cognitive pains of their existence. However, mythology can also obscure judgement and confuse humans making their lives more complicated than necessary. In the case of Jews and Muslims they seem focused on obtaining the blessings and favors from their god by showing blind obedience to imaginary wishes of that god to earn blessings or favors in this life and beyond. 

Ancestral mythology

Viewed from the outside, the animosity between Israelis and Arabs is inextricably tied to their common ancestral mythology. The spectrum of human religious progress seems to run from polytheism to atheism via the monotheism invented by the Semitic ancestral tribes from which both Israelis and Arabs come from. 

Most if not all human tribes and civilizations began believing in multiple gods and spirits. Ancient nomadic tribes of the Middle East had the clever idea of consolidating all gods and spirits into one. Their god of the desert was not only the "one and only" almighty god, but they were the people chosen by the said god to lead the world and make everyone believe in and obey the "one and only" god. 

The vast majority of Arabs and Israelis are still caught up in the intermediate phase between polytheism and atheism. Monotheism is a Middle Eastern invention that changed the human world. Consolidating all gods and spirits into only one succeeded because it is very convenient. In the human world, convenience always prevails. 

Polytheism can prove very inconvenient. Too many gods and spirits to keep track of and try to please at the same time. t brings up questions about the hierarchy between the gods. Moreover, it intuitively opens the human mind to doubt the legitimacy of each conflicting divine or supernatural story. 

Monotheism solves all the problems and shortfalls of polytheism. It's a better mind trick. Monotheism consolidates all imaginary supernaturals forces supposedly controlling and influencing humans into just one heavenly or divine force. 

Monotheism proves convenient to both rulers and followers. Rulers can ascribe themselves as being the chosen ones of the one and only god. Followers can simplify their worship focusing on only one imaginary divine entity and one chosen ruler on Earth. Monotheism is as primitive as it is effective. The utilitarian convenience of monotheistic mythology has proven to be a highly effective technology (tool and method) of social control. It has passed the test of time and can be expected to remain part of the human condition for a very, very long time. 

Two Branches of the Same Tree

Both Arabs and Israelis are cultural descendants of the Semitic nomadic tribes that invented the "one and only" god. They dispute who is following the true wishes of their god. So long as they remain faithful to that mythology and do not completely replace it with another technology, which can be assumed to be forever, the "beef" between the two sides will remain in place. The mutual animosity is ingrained in their shared cultural and religious roots. It is part of the respective sense of identity of each side. 

The Israeli-Arab animosity will occasionally and sporadically result in violent outbursts and temporary armed fights creating transient havoc not unlike the forces of nature creating sporadic wildfires, earthquakes, storms, volcanic eruptions, floods, pandemics, and all natural disasters or "acts of god". 

Arabs and Israelis are two branches of the same tree, sharing the same cultural and religious roots. Each side branches out to its respective convenience. Each side seeks the favoring light of their imaginary creator, father, and judge, the "one and only" god. A combination of blind obedience to obscure wishes of one imaginary god and a constant rivalry trying to obtain the blessings and fulfillment of "promises" made by that god is a central theme to Israeli and Arab cultural and religious programming. So long as this programming remains in place, which again can be presumed to be forever, the animosity between Israelis and Arabs, between Jews and Muslims, will remain in place. 

To this date, Arabs and Israelis still behave like their ancestral "tribes" fighting over land and other favors "promised by god" for this life and an imaginary afterlife. The groups behave like disgruntled siblings fighting over the love and favor of their father. Of course, in the real world there is mutual plenty more to gain from peaceful coexistence and collaboration. After the fights, peace always resumes. This is a cycle of nature (human nature) in the region and will not change any time soon until the cultural programming is updated and the bugs are fixed, which could be never in the cultural and religious context of the Middle East. 

Arabs and Israelis, Jews and Muslim, share a similar origin. Both originate from Semite tribes from the Middle East. The nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyle imprints the backbone of both cultures. The mythology of the "one and only" god of the desert defines both groups and can be seen as the root cause of the beef between the two groups.  

Below let's take a quick look at three patriarchs shared by both Israelis and Arabs. These are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Abraham

Abraham is a key figure in both the Bible and the Quran. The Semite patriarch of both Jews and Arabs is central to the mythologies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam that have conquered almost half of human population. Abraham or Abram is said to have been originally from "Ur of the Chaldeans", an important Sumerian city-state in ancient Mesopotamia, located in what is now southern Iraq.

According to the Bible and the Quran, Abraham (initially named Abram) was born and lived in Ur until the god of the desert ordered him to leave his homeland and journey to a new promised land to become father of a great nation. This command and Abraham's compliance are seen as foundational to the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths, with Abraham being a model of the blind faith and strict obedience due to the imaginary god.

The specific identification of "Ur of the Chaldeans" has been a subject of debate among scholars. The traditional view identifies it with the ancient Sumerian city of Ur near the Euphrates River in southern Mesopotamia. This city was one of the most prosperous of the ancient world, known for its impressive ziggurat, and was a major center of commerce, culture, and religion in its day.

However, some researchers have proposed alternative locations for Abraham's birthplace, considering the various historical, archaeological, and textual data. Despite these debates, the general consensus places Abraham's origins in the broader region of Mesopotamia, reflecting the cultural and historical context in which the biblical narratives were shaped.

Isaac

Isaac is a patriarch in the Bible and the Quran, revered in Judaism and Islam. As a patriarch, his story and legacy are integral to the religious narratives and teachings of these Abrahamic monotheistic faiths that changed the human world. While there are similarities in how Isaac is depicted in the Bible and the Quran, there are also notable differences.

In the Bible, Isaac is a central figure in the Book of Genesis. Key aspects of his story include:

• Birth: Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah, born to them in their old age after god promised Abraham that he would have a son who would inherit his covenant. His birth is seen as a fulfillment of god's promise.
• Binding of Isaac (Akedah): One of the most significant narratives in the Bible is the story of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac (known as the Akedah in Jewish tradition). The god of the desert somehow commanded Abraham to sacrifice his baby son Isaac. Abraham had to prove his blind loyalty and obedience to god. Abraham was about to murder his son, Isaac, but at the last moment like in an horror movie, an angel intervened and stopped Abraham's attempted murder. Abraham killed a ram in Isaac's place. This story is central in Jewish and Christian mythology putting blind obedience to the irrational and obscures wishes of their one and only god above all things, including reason and moral ethics. The story is central to understanding the Arab-Israeli conflict to this date. Both sides follow an imaginary god that forces them to do crazy things in his name. This mythology can be easily exploited by sociopathic behavior in favor of armed conflict over peace. 
• Marriage and Family: Isaac married Rebekah, and they had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The narrative includes the story of how Rebekah helped Jacob, the younger son, receive the blessing that Isaac intended for Esau, the older son. This battle for the love of god is essential to the Israeli and Arab cultures under Judaism and Islam. It explains in great part how the two sides keep fighting to this day to see who is more loved by their imaginary god. 
• Legacy: Isaac is considered one of the patriarchs of the Israelites. His story is essential in the lineage and heritage of the Jewish people and is significant in Christian theology as well.

In the Quran, Isaac (known as Ishaq in Arabic) is revered as a prophet of Islam. His story in the Quran shares similarities with the biblical narrative but with some differences:

• Announcement of Birth: The Quran recounts the story of angels visiting Abraham and giving him the glad tidings of the birth of Isaac, who is also described as a prophet.
• Righteousness and Prophethood: Isaac is presented in the Quran as a figure of righteousness, a prophet, and one who continued the legacy of his father, Abraham, in upholding the believe in the "one and only" god of the desert and the monotheism that conquered half of the human world. 
• Near-Sacrifice Narrative: The Quran also includes a narrative of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son in blind and merciless obedience to the command of their god. However, the Quran does not explicitly name this son, leading to differing interpretations among Islamic scholars as to whether the son was Isaac or Ishmael. In many Islamic traditions, it is believed to be Ishmael the one that god wanted Abraham to murder in cold bloo
• Less Detail: The Quranic account of Isaac provides less detail about his life compared to the extensive narratives found in the Bible. His role is often mentioned in conjunction with other prophets and in the context of reinforcing the continuity of prophethood.

In both the Bible and the Quran, Isaac is a figure of great importance, though the emphasis and details of his story vary. In Judaism and Christianity, he is a patriarch, integral to the narrative of god's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. In Islam, he is honored as a prophet and a righteous servant of god. The story of his near-sacrifice is a point of intersection but also divergence in interpretation between the religious traditions. Isaac's legacy in these faiths underscores the deep connections (and distinctions) among Judaism and Islam, between Israelis and Arabs. 

Jacob

Jacob, known as a patriarch in both the Bible and the Quran, is a significant figure in the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His story is one of the foundational narratives in these Abrahamic faiths, and while there are similarities in how he is depicted across these scriptures, there are also notable differences.

In the Bible, Jacob is a central figure in the Book of Genesis. Key aspects of his story include:

• Birth and Family: Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, was the twin brother of Esau. He was the grandson of Abraham and Sarah. Jacob was known to be an introvert quiet man, dwelling in tents, in contrast to his brother Esau, who was a skilled hunter.
• Birthright and Blessing: Jacob stole Esau's birthright in conspiracy with his mother. During a meal of bread and lentil stew, with his mother's guidance, Jacob deceived his blind and old father Isaac into giving him the blessing and mystical inheritance that was meant for Esau. By that dishonest act, Jacob became the patriarch of the tribes of Israel.
• Jacob's Ladder: Jacob had to flee and escape from the wrath of his brother Esau who found out who Jacob had stole his blessing. While escaping, Jacob had a dream at a place he named Bethel. In the dream, he saw a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it, and he received promises from the god of the desert about the land and its numerous offspring. Understanding the nomadic roots of Jews and Arabs, the tough desertic terrain of the Middle East, and the dreams of settling down on fertile land with water are essential to understanding the real estate disputes underlying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  
• Marriage and Children: Jacob worked for his uncle Laban for many years, marrying his two cousins Leah and Rachel. With his cousins, Jacob fathered twelve sons and one daughter (13 second cousins). His sons became the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, with his favorite son Joseph playing a key role in the family's eventual move to Egypt. The concept of filial favoritism is central to Hebrew and Arab traditions. To this date, Arabs and Israelis, Muslim and Jews, keep fighting over the the favoritism of their imaginary god who is fictionalized as the father of humanity. 
• Wrestling with an angel of god. Jacob wrestled with a mysterious figure (traditionally interpreted as an angel) at Peniel, and he was renamed Israel, which means "he who struggles with god." This story is essential to the culture of Israel, and the believe of struggling with god to receive the blessings promised by god. 
• Reconciliation with Esau: Jacob eventually reconciled with Esau after many years of estrangement.

In the Quran, Jacob (known as Ya'qub in Arabic) is also a respected prophet in Islam. His story in the Quran shares similarities with the biblical narrative but with some differences and less detail. 

• Jacob is mentioned in the Quran as a man of wisdom, a prophet, and a devoted servant of the god of the desert. His life is presented as a moral example to be followed.His story is part of the Islamic tradition of prophethood, linking him to Abraham and Isaac, and continuing through his son Joseph. The Quran emphasizes the monotheistic legacy and the prophet's blind obedience to the wishes of their god. 
• Jacob's story in the Quran includes the famous narrative of his son Joseph, whose dream of eleven stars, the sun, and the moon bowing to him is recounted. Jacob's steadfast faith and patience in the face of adversity, especially concerning the loss and eventual reunion with his son Joseph, are emphasized in Islamic tradition. The aspects of deception and strife with Esau found in the Bible are not present in the Quranic account.

In conclusion, the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob help to show the similarities and differences in the religious traditions that control the Israeli and the Arab world. The variances in the stories reflect the different theological and moral emphases of the different Abrahamic faiths that conquered most of the human religious world with the invention of monotheism.

Artificial Intelligence

It will be very interesting to see how AI will deal with human religion and mythology. AI will most likely become the best educational tool ever invented by humanity. AI can provide any education that it is programmed to provide. For sure, each major religion will invest heavily on AI tools that can continue spreading their stories and beliefs. 

Ecumenic AI will also be developed to help humans of different religions to appreciate the rewarding convenience of peaceful coexistence. This will make life better for all humans on Earth and beyond, in this life and in any imaginary afterlife. The best is yet to come. Stay tuned. Don't miss out on the AI revolution. 

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