Culture, creatives, and the marketplace are becoming more interested in the development of Artificial Intelligence. In 2014, AI startups saw a 302 percent increase in funding. The potential to better our lives, solve global problems, and innovate completely new fields of study is exciting and humbling. But how should we think about these trends through the lens of spiritually? Kevin Kelly of WIRED magazine helps us understand what AI means for how our culture can and will change, and challenge us to consider the implications for religion, spirituality, and faith.
One-hundred-five people leveraged Oregon's "Death with Dignity" law last year. Some argue that compassion requires support of assisted suicide, that avoiding pain is a worthy pursuit. How should people of faith consider death and dying? Kimberly Kuo, writer and advocate, personally understands the agony of this choice and will help us explore whether it's more courageous to die as we please or trust God with our final days.
Who or what deems an idea legitimate? Many people of faith think because their ideas are true, everyone should listen, pay attention, and do as they suggest. Malcolm Gladwell helps us understand how the process by which ideas are debated, opinions are formed, and a process is communicated can have more to do with whether the idea is embraced as truthful. But Gladwell also helps us understand why the truthfulness of an idea isn't always as important as the legitimacy of it.
As the electorate in America evolves and red states and blue states compete for control, one critical observation remains: cities overwhelmingly vote Democratic while rural, less populous counties vote Republican. The gap between urban and rural sensibilities is widening, leaving many questioning how unified can America really be? In an increasingly divisive political and partisan environment, lies a breakthrough story of leaders from different political ideologies working together to serve the people in their care. Tennessee Governor, Bill Haslam and Nashville's Mayor, Karl Dean, discuss the tensions and successes of working together, giving our country a model of how leaders can get along, despite their differences.
Public safety coordinator for the city of Chattanooga, Paul David Smith, discusses Chattanooga's response to gang-related issues, community safety and mentoring. Smith is the former principal of Howard High School in downtown Chattanooga and the proud father of two children.