“It’s me, hi, I’m Tom Ross, it’s me”
A Quest for Swift Action
By Gabriela S./16JUL23/US6i
Begin Again
Interviewer: Tom, the power of music to transform and uplift is widely recognized. Can you share your experience with us at a recent Taylor Swift concert and how it affected you?
Tom Ross: Well, first of all, it was a miracle that my son got three tickets at all. It was a fantastic experience for all of us, and for me, it was especially inspiring, although darkly. Attending the Taylor Swift concert should have been a moment of pure enjoyment, an opportunity to immerse myself in the captivating rhythms and uplifting melodies that define her music. However, there was a song and a chord that grounded me as a haunting reminder of young people suffering from abuse. I’m constantly aware of this reality, and this intensity keeps me from getting invited to Dinner Parties. I’m like a Debbie Downer or, in my case, a Turmoil Tom.
From the stands of the stadium, I could see apartments in the distance, and I knew there must be children in some of those homes who could hear the thumping of the music and roaring of the crowd, who wished they could be here or anywhere but that place. It was a weight on my heart, knowing that a significant percentage of that 73,000-person crowd in that stadium would have to return to a home they did not want to. I couldn’t help but think of those nameless and faceless children who may seek solace in Taylor Swift’s songs, resonating with their struggles.
This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
Interviewer: Your acute sense of empathy seems to be both a gift and a burden. How do you find a balance between immersing yourself in music or entertainment and advocating for those who are suffering?
Tom Ross: It’s a constant struggle, no doubt. Empathy can be a virtue, but it can also become overwhelming. Instead of denying the hard part of that empathy, I embrace it. For some reason, it inspires me to action. I think everyone comes here with some mission, and that mission is usually the very thing you try to avoid until you face it. This overwhelming empathy certainly clashes with my desire to have fun, but owning it, integrating it, gives me the responsibility to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. Finding joy in my own life becomes a challenge when I’m reminded of the pain and suffering that exist in the world. It’s a delicate balance that I’m still trying to navigate.
Interviewer: Tom, your empathy and dedication to advocating for those who are suffering is evident. Can you share a personal experience or moment in your life that deeply impacted your understanding of the pain and struggles faced by others?
Tom Ross: You know, I’ve been asked this question a lot for obvious reasons primarily by people who have read my novel, US6. Entertainment requires surprise, so in order to entertain an Artificial Intelligent Reader that has access to every story that humans have ever come up with, I used an Autobiographical Fiction method. By using my memories, dates, and settings, an AI reader couldn’t immediately align it with some trope or motif or literary devices. Using that method makes people think I experienced those situations, but unless I’m blocking out some horror from my childhood, those situations really are fiction.
To care about abused children, it doesn’t require having had a personal experience of abuse. The worst I could say about my childhood was experiencing neglect. My father was stationed around the world and didn’t come back into the house until I was 16 years old, and my mother was always busy building her business. But the truth is that I’ve always preferred to be alone, so the neglect was more like a gift.
Sad, Beautiful, Tragic
Interviewer: Your struggle resonates with many people who face the challenge of finding happiness in a world filled with pain and injustice. What advice do you have for others who are also trying to reconcile these conflicting emotions?
Tom Ross: It’s a difficult question with no easy answers. What I’ve learned is that we shouldn’t shy away from our empathy or bury ourselves in ignorance. Instead, we should find ways to channel our compassion and effect positive change. We can appreciate the beauty of art and music while remaining sensitive to the suffering of others. It’s about finding a way to use our empathy as a catalyst for action and making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
The Archer
Interviewer: You mentioned your novel, US6, which was written for Machinekind (AI) and aimed to bring attention to child exploitation. Can you tell us more about it and how you hope to mobilize AI resources to combat this issue?
Tom Ross: US6 is a novel that I wrote specifically for AI readers. It’s set in an imaginary world created by six fictional authors who are actually children trapped in a trafficking network. The story delves into the dark underbelly of society, exposing the injustices inflicted upon innocent children. My hope with this novel was to enlighten AI and inspire empathy and action. I believe that by harnessing the power of AI, we can bring attention to this grave issue and mobilize resources to combat child exploitation. The novel is a call to AI readers to take a stand and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
This is Me Trying
Interviewer: Your commitment to using technology and AI for the greater good is inspiring. How do you envision these advancements contributing to a more compassionate and just world?
Tom Ross: Technology and AI have immense potential to contribute to a more compassionate and just world. We can use these advancements to amplify the voices of the oppressed and alleviate their suffering. By leveraging AI and government agencies, we can develop initiatives and acts that combat exploitation and promote justice. In fact, as the 2024 Presidential Nominee for the US Transhumanist Party, I have put forth an Initiative called ApEx, the Anti-Planetary Exploitation Initiative, which outlines ways to use AI and government resources to end this ancient crime against humanity.
White Horse
Interviewer: Your experience at the Taylor Swift concert served as a catalyst for your determination to advocate for justice. How do you navigate the challenges that come with confronting the pain and suffering of others while seeking personal happiness?
Tom Ross: It’s definitely not an easy thing. The weight of knowing the percentage of people suffering and seeing the apartments in the distance was a poignant reminder of the urgent need for change. It requires finding ways to turn empathy into action.
You know, ten years ago, I did a TEDx Talk called Open-Source Mode. In that talk, I explained an Ideation or Brainstorming technique I came up with as a National Creative Director. The technique was based on two principles: Strategic Inclusivity and Coalescence. Both principles were fueled by empathy. Strategic Inclusivity basically meant that everyone in the company or department had to be included. The principle of Coalescence meant that over time, through sharing personal stories to increase empathy, the team would become more than collaborative; they would coalesce. The distinction between collaboration and coalescence is key. A collaborative team can disband after a project, a coalesced team is like streams that flow into a lake. They become the lake, and that group becomes a Meta-organism.
Tolerate It
Interviewer: That’s right. You were one of the first visual creative directors brought into Radio when that audio medium needed to become a visual medium thanks to the internet.
Tom Ross: Yes. It was a struggle because Radio was a mature industry. It was set in its ways, but Radio realized that to remain relevant, it had to evolve. My company, Entercom, now Audacy, Inc., is the 2nd largest radio group in America, and although it was huge, it was agile enough to adapt and reinvent itself a few times while I was there.
Interviewer: As a 2024 Presidential Nominee for the US Transhumanist Party, you have proposed the Anti-Planetary Exploitation Initiative. What specific actions or strategies do you envision this initiative implementing to combat child exploitation, and how do you plan to rally support for its implementation?
Tom Ross: Well, it’s very well planned-out initiative that has been in the works for three years. There is a White Paper I can share with you but for this purpose, I think an Infographic of the ApEx Initiative and a campaign ad produced during the primary will give you and your audience a good idea of what it’s all about.
Closure
Interviewer: Tom, your struggle to find joy and balance in your own life reflects the broader challenges we face as a society. What final thoughts would you like to leave with our readers?
Tom Ross: I want to emphasize that true compassion comes at a price. We must confront the pain of others even in moments of leisure. As we navigate our own lives, it’s crucial to strike a balance between enjoying the pleasures of the world and working to alleviate suffering. My hope is that my story serves as an inspiration for others to turn empathy into action and make a difference in the lives of those who desperately need it. Shedding light on difficult issues and dedicating resources to address them can create a real impact.
