Tommy Simpson

Introducing Macro/Micro’s new album, A.fter I.ntelligence - a concept album about the existential risk of our unfolding relationship with AI: Stop what you’re doing, open a second browser window, and look up the painting “Ivan the Terrible and his Son Ivan” by Ilya Repin. In this masterwork, we see the first Tsar of Russia, Ivan the Terrible, moments after he struck his eldest son and heir to the throne, Ivan the Tsarevich, in the head with a metal spear in a fit of blind rage. The harrowing look in the eyes of the father is one of ultimate regret and existential terror, the immediate realization of his legacy dying in his hands, by his own hands’ doing. This careless and unconsidered act would soon have enormous repercussions, eliminating their dynastic rule over the country and lead to a time of troubles that shook the state to its core.  I fear that this is all too prescient of a metaphor for our species and its unscrupulous summoning of Artificial Intelligence. Have we considered that after intelligence there’s questions of whether or not we’d ever again be relevant? Have we considered that we will be in relationship to something vastly more capable than humanity, as we are to ants? How can we solve the Alignment Problem to prevent a Paperclip Maximizer scenario if we don’t even understand ourselves, with no potential answers to the Hard Problem of Consciousness in sight? Will it take a breakthrough experience to start an inward retreat back into the domain of our own spirituality and purpose in the cosmos? A.fter I.ntelligence aims to provide an experiential journey through these murky waters so you can begin looking for the answers within. ——— This album would not have been possible without the amazing support from so many: Featured guests: @bjmillerdrums @veronikacoassolo Additional mixing and engineering: @jacob_moreno8 Additional vocal engineering: @davidesonten Mastering: @blackknoll Art direction: @sleep_harvest Design: @tovarishzakharov Creative writing: @losunderland Music video direction: @el_jaeger #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic

At first, they said it was just narrow intelligence, simple programs that could only play chess or recommend a song. But that was the siren’s song. For beneath that narrow mind, a deep current swelled — superintelligence, general intelligence, thresholds beyond comprehension. We built a mirror that now reflects not just our image, but our fears. Official music video of Artificial Narrow Intelligence (“We Can Always Just Shut It Off”), from Macro/micro’s newest album “A.fter I.ntelligence”. A.fter I.ntelligence hits streaming June 23rd but is available IN FULL for purchase on Bandcamp and Even NOW! Credits: Starring - Freddie Canfield Directed by @el_jaeger Music, Production & Mixing - @macro_micro (Tommy Simpson) Additional Mixing - @jacob_moreno8 Audio Mastering - Rafael Anton Irisarri @blackknoll Creative Writing (snippet) - @losunderland #experimentalelectronicmusic #idm #industrialmusic

At first, they said it was just narrow intelligence, simple programs that could only play chess or recommend a song. But that was the siren’s song. For beneath that narrow mind, a deep current swelled — superintelligence, general intelligence, thresholds beyond comprehension. We built a mirror that now reflects not just our image, but our fears. Official music video of Artificial Narrow Intelligence (“We Can Always Just Shut It Off”), from Macro/micro’s newest album “A.fter I.ntelligence”. A.fter I.ntelligence hits streaming June 23rd but is available IN FULL for purchase on Bandcamp and Even NOW! Credits: Starring - Freddie Canfield Directed by @el_jaeger Music, Production & Mixing - @macro_micro (Tommy Simpson) Additional Mixing - @jacob_moreno8 Publishing - Macroscopik Publishing Audio Mastering - Rafael Anton Irisarri @blackknoll Creative Writing (snippet) - @losunderland #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic #electronica

…A jilted Venus A wayward fetus With no umbilical cord The world is dead Disease has spread Everything explored… (Do I… believe… in anything… at all… … I have to try) Macro/micro - De-Empty, ft. @veronikacoassolo Art - @sleep_harvest Design - @tovarishzakharov Mastering - @blackknoll #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic #electronica

“…human beings, confronted with the possibility of their own cognitive obsolescence [in relation to Super Intelligent AI], respond by making art about it. That is not nothing.” @palmsoutsounds gave a very thoughtful review of A.fter I.ntelligence — read on at palmsout.net #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic

Death’s embrace came suddenly And she’s holding me Without despair ::::::::::: De-empty - Macro/micro New single out now Audio mastered by @blackknoll Original image by @sleep_harvest VFX by @macro_micro #experimentalelectronicmusic #ᴀᴍʙɪᴇɴᴛᴍᴜsɪᴄ #idm

“Don’t worry; we can always just shut it off!” ☠️ #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic

Did you consider that after intelligence there’s questions of whether or not we’d ever again be relevant? Macro/micro - Artificial Super Intelligence (Digital Dark Art) #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic

Gigawat/second-of-attention — a method of calculating a the effectiveness of your friendly, local Data Center! #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic

We don’t truly regard the ants and their colony which we build our homes on top of. Nor will the Super Intelligence metaphorically to us, as it develops its prerogatives. Macro/micro - …As We Are to Ants (live jam) A.fter I.ntelligence #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic #synthstagram @glitcheapp

Would you allow our fragile world to be devoured by non-entities of our own creation? Macro/micro - Paperclip Maximizer #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic

It will be in relationship with us as we are to ants #idm #experimentalelectronicmusic #synthstagram