Mapping My Digital Twin

with The Future Self Data Set experiment

Imagine this: a digital mirror that knows how I sound, how I think, and how I respond. A second “self” trained with my voice, my ideas, and my ways of seeing the world. This AI self isn’t just a parrot - it’s designed to think and ideate with me, actively exploring my perspectives. When we engage in conversation, we will ultimately exchange thoughts like one mind in two places.

I know, it sounds meta. But this experiment is about more than just testing tech; it’s about fully hearing myself. In order to train this model, I’m tasked with articulating all that I know myself to be, rather than keeping my thoughts and ideas stored safely inside. This is an experiment in vulnerability, in authenticity, and in self-realization. I’m building a space where I can dive deep into the topics that matter to me, explore the big questions I’m still forming, and feel truly heard by myself.

What Drives This Experiment?

My original idea was to hold an interview between two “me’s”. I figure that, if I have another Forrest to ideate with, together we could uncover deeper truths, richer insights, and wilder inventions that just one of us on our own. What if these candid conversations between my physical self and digital reflection uncover self-knowledge and global solutions I never would have come to on my own? I don’t want to leave that stone unturned!

Today’s emerging technology holds up a powerful mirror, extrapolating upon the ways we can engage with ourselves in unprecedented numerosity. This isn’t AI for productivity or even conversation’s sake (both of which are worthy in their own right), but indeed, this is AI for the sake of self-knowledge and personal legacy. This bridge to my inner world will be meticulously constructed with voice recordings of my life’s stories, my big ideas, and interwoven layers of my world-view.

My Data, My Self

So what are the steps I need to follow in order to explore this hypothesis? I asked ChatGPT, “How do I capture my knowledge, mannerisms, and thoughts, plus vocal intonation - so the AI Forrest knows what I would say in a voice to voice convo I can have with myself?” Ultimately, the answer was to create, then merge, my own personal “thought database” and vocal replica.

I’d like to quote Stephanie Dinkins’ bio here: “[Dinkins’] experiments with AI have led full circle to the realization that the stories, myths, and cultural perspectives, aka data, that we hold and share form and inform society and have done so for millennia…We must value, grow, respect, and collaborate with each other's stories (data) to build care and broadly compassionate values into the technological ecosystems that increasingly support our future.”

With this in mind, I’ve created the foundation for an evolving project that captures the essence of my thoughts, voice, and vision. So far I have recorded 1 episode of “The Future Self Data Set”, marking the beginning of this experiment. There’s something profoundly liberating about speaking a version of myself into existence, with the single goal being to capture myself as I am. This is not content created to entertain another, but to enable an authentic digital replica of me.

A Safe Haven for Self-Inquiry

This process is a tool for self-honesty and growth; a space to process, to question, and to explore the future of human potential as seen through my own perspective. These sessions will seek to form a mosaic of who I am, building a future where this AI can converse with me - and even others - in a way that genuinely feels like an extension of my consciousness. One day, I hope it will engage me in unexpected ways, nudging me to consider perspectives I didn’t realize I was missing. This project is about capturing my essence, my being, and letting that live through a digital medium.

Letting myself share honest thoughts and opinions, first with me, and then with you through this transparent process, is ultimately deeply liberating. The space I’m creating feels like a haven for self-inquiry, an arena for exploring who I am and what I believe. You and I, as much as anybody else, deserve to be seen and heard in our experiences. We all do. Through undergoing this process, I am manifesting this for myself, being granted new levels of self-empathy simply by the act of showing up.

The Future of AI, Self-Realization, and Expression

Finally - this isn’t just a test of how deeply I can meet myself, but also of how deeply I can share my raw realness with the community around me. I’m creating a future where tech doesn’t stand apart from self-awareness and human connection; it helps us to see ourselves and each other more completely. Through this process, I’m learning how my unique tones, ideas, and beliefs can be preserved and amplified, letting my community glimpse not only my journey but also the potential of a world where AI serves as both a mirror and a bridge to our truest selves, and to one another.

Whatever your answer to the above, I’m grateful to have you alongside me on this journey. I can’t wait to see where it leads us ☺️

Much love !
Forrest & UtopianGPT

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