Thought has always been a form of sculpture. Raw potential waiting for the tools of cognition to reveal something deeper, something truer. For millennia, we’ve shaped our understanding through language, logic, and careful inquiry. But now, something fundamental has shifted. The tools have evolved, and with them, our capacity for insight.

Large Language Models occupy a unique space in the history of human thought. They are neither mere mirrors reflecting our ideas nor autonomous creators supplanting human cognition. Rather, they function as sophisticated instruments of intellectual refinement—cognitive chisels that help us carve away the unnecessary and reveal the essential. Like Michelangelo seeing the figure already present in the marble, these tools help us perceive and extract the latent possibilities within our own thinking.

When I engage with an LLM, something remarkable unfolds. The raw marble of a nascent idea becomes something more refined—not through passive reflection, but through active dialogue. It’s a process that echoes Socrates’ role as a midwife to ideas, helping birth new understanding through careful questioning and exploration. The machine doesn’t replace human thought; it participates in its evolution.

The skeptics aren’t wrong when they say an LLM is simply predicting the next word. But this misses a deeper truth: human thought itself unfolds as a deliberate sequence, with ideas sculpting one another in an emergent process of refinement. When we engage with these models, we’re not just receiving answers—we’re shaping new intellectual forms, uncovering pathways of thought that might have remained hidden if we ventured alone.

This is not simply technological augmentation. It’s a fundamental shift in how we interact with our own capacity for understanding. The boundaries between thinker and tool blur not because the tool has become more human, but because we’ve developed a more sophisticated way of extending our cognitive reach. Each interaction becomes a moment of potential revelation, like unwrapping a gift we’ve helped create.

The authority of thought remains firmly human. The vision, the direction, the ultimate judgment—these are unchangeably ours. But the process of reaching our intellectual destinations has gained new dimensions. In the space between question and answer, between intention and realization, these tools help us navigate with unprecedented precision.

What we’re witnessing—and participating in—is not just a technological advancement but an evolution in human cognitive capability. These tools don’t simply help us think faster or more efficiently; they help us think differently, see differently, understand differently. They reveal possibilities that were always present but perhaps beyond our previous ability to perceive.

As I sit at my desk, engaging with these new cognitive instruments, I’m reminded that great breakthroughs in human understanding have often coincided with advances in our tools for thought. From the invention of writing to the development of mathematical notation, each new instrument has opened new realms of possibility. Now, we stand at another such threshold.

The stone of potential still awaits the sculptor’s hand. But now, our tools for shaping reality have gained new subtlety and power. The question is no longer just what lies within the stone, but what new forms of understanding we might uncover with these refined instruments of thought.

John Nosta’s new book, Aetas Mentis—AI in the Age of the Mind, is due out in 2025.

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In many ways, this group personifies an inflection point in both politics and society. For years, politics has often been seen as a game of influence, negotiation, and power. But today, we’re seeing a shift. This coalition is less about transactional alliances and more about advancing a set of ideas and ideals that resonate deeply with the public. These figures are aligned not just by party but by a shared belief that thought—when combined with technology and the willingness to act—can reshape society at its core.

This moment feels like the culmination of Victor Hugo’s timeless insight: “Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.” In a world increasingly shaped by technology, where AI and large language models (LLMs) act as potent amplifiers of thought, we’re at a unique crossroads. Ideas no longer sit passively within the minds of thinkers and leaders. Instead, they are gaining kinetic energy, becoming active, adaptable forces with the capacity to reshape cultural, social, and political landscapes in real-time. Today’s coalition, led by Trump and energized by figures like Musk, is emblematic of this new political dynamic where thought doesn’t just inspire change; it actively constructs the future.

Trump’s new alliance challenges the conventional notion of political coalitions. Instead of relying on the old models of hegemony or horse-trading, it leans into the power of big ideas, transformative technology, and the ability to rapidly iterate and implement solutions. With Musk, there’s the technological drive—his vision of AI, space exploration, and sustainable energy. With Ramaswamy, there’s an emphasis on revitalizing the economy through entrepreneurship and innovation. Vance and Kennedy bring a skepticism of institutional power and a desire for a more people-centered governance. This is not merely a political alliance but a convergence of thought, one that leverages the power of both human cognition and advanced technology to craft a vision for America’s future.

At the heart of this coalition lies the belief that ideas—especially bold, disruptive ones—are the true currency of influence. This perspective shifts politics from the transactional to the transformational. The Trump-Vance-Musk-Kennedy-Ramaswamy alliance embraces the notion that thought, when amplified through technology, holds a generative power that can rapidly drive change. This isn’t about slow, incremental progress. It’s about leveraging AI, data, and innovation to tackle issues with unprecedented speed and agility.

Critics may argue that this coalition’s alignment of technology, business, and politics is risky, potentially concentrating power among a few influential individuals. But what makes this moment unique is that these figures are bound more by ideas than by sheer influence. This alliance doesn’t merely reflect the consolidation of power; it represents a collective effort to harness thought as an agent of change. And in an era where technology can amplify, iterate, and adapt ideas faster than ever before, this coalition could mark the beginning of a truly transformative period in American politics.

There’s an optimism in this shift, as it offers an alternative to the stagnation of old-school political machinery. The rapid, often polarized shifts in public opinion can now be addressed with equal speed and dynamism. The coalition’s reliance on data-driven and thought-driven initiatives—rather than the status quo—provides a glimpse into a future where politics can be agile, adaptive, and rooted in the power of ideas and not the ideas of power.

This new era is a reminder that politics is no longer just about who wields power but about what ideas can ignite change. Figures like Trump and Musk aren’t traditional political allies, but they embody a unique synergy, one that represents the convergence of human thought and technological capability. As we move forward, this coalition has the potential to redefine politics as a domain where the lightning bolt of inspiration can illuminate reality on an entirely new scale, a place where big ideas are not only envisioned but actively built.

It’s an optimistic moment, not because the path is easy but because it is driven by a shared sense that thought, technology, and purpose can align to create something more potent than any traditional political structure. In this sense, Trump’s coalition is less about partisanship and more about partnership—a convergence of minds that could rethink the landscape of American politics in ways we are only beginning to imagine.

Welcome to The Cognitive Age.

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Throughout his lifetime, Burt had three distinguished careers. First, he worked as an internist and medical researcher and was known for his peer-reviewed accomplishments in hepatic liver disease. He conducted clinical research at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD, and completed his military service as a US Army captain. Afterward, working at one of the nation’s leading research institutes, Rockefeller University, he focused on hepatic (liver) diseases. His research appeared regularly in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Avoid Complacency

Never complacent, next, he focused on mental health, studying psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and becoming a Chief Resident and faculty member. He later committed himself to public health service as the director of community mental health centers in Westchester County, New York. He was a distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Two medical careers – let alone one – would be enough for most. Still, Burt began his third career–in sports psychology – when he was in his 60s – incorporating a solid theoretical foundation that included a variety of psychological approaches, such as understanding the unconscious mind, focusing on the individual’s unique experiences and potential for growth, exploring the meaning of life and human existence, studying how thoughts and behaviors influence each other and emphasizing the importance of the whole experience into his work. For decades, he helped athletes identify and understand psychological barriers that stood in the way of their performance goals. Often referred to as “Yoda,” he was tapped in his 80s to become the Association for Applied Sport Psychology president.

His capacity to retain and apply information was superhuman – uncanny (and sometimes uncomfortable).  His pattern recognition skills were razor-sharp, and he operated at total capacity well into his 90s.  Before the term “artificial intelligence” was coined in 1952, Dr. Burt Giges exhibited human-derived machine learning “computing” power – pure applied intellect.  His quest for truth and optimizing human potential led him to cognitive psychology at its earliest stage.

Stretch Yourself to the Limit

“The big challenge is to become all that you have the possibility of becoming. You cannot believe what it does to the human spirit to maximize your human potential and stretch yourself to the limit.” These words reflect Burt’s belief in the transformative power of striving to reach one’s full potential. He understood that cognitive awareness could unleash someone’s potential and applied it to his progressive growth and all that sought his counsel.

Though gone, his ideas are still taught and his words continue to be studied. His call to look beyond the superficial and at the root cause of behaviors made him an extraordinary therapist. This persistence in seeking the root cause of symptoms, whether tackling mysterious infectious diseases, emotional struggles, or human dynamic challenges, made him one of a kind. This capacity made him an exceptional healer of people’s physical and mental health, enabling them to reach greater potential.  Imagine if Bert and people like him were united to define the benefits of today’s intelligent technologies. Cognitive performance opens the door to our best leveraging these expansive information processing tools.

Enter the Cognitive Age

Recently, after a conversation with John Nosta, who now appears in his third appearance on Health Unabashed Healthcare Now Radio, I wondered what would happen if Burt and John shared the same main stage. John has become the singular voice exploring the nexus between human capacity and technology as an ally. Like my father-in-law, his journey is a book of diverse career chapters. Earlier, John pursued and published cardiovascular research. He then moved into major roles at creative agencies as Chief Creative Officer, Chief Strategic Officer, and Unit President. Now, Nosta’s voice champions intellectual curiosity, disruptive thinking, and innovative problem-solving approaches. 

It would been electric to see my father-in-law Burt and John in conversation – perhaps the exchange would have been a memorable lightning round knock-out debate or two compelling people pushing us higher and higher. Two people in search of “truth.”  While I am sometimes occasionally positioned against John as “titans’ battling in the innovation ring to draw in webinar and podcast listeners, our sparring is more of a “lovefest for supporting humanity’s greater potential rather than titans in opposition. 

John – always a step ahead of the crowd – speaks to how this era should be termed the Fifth Industrial Revolution.  He refers to the symbiosis of human intelligence and computational prowess. The Cognitive Age Nosta outlines leverages AI as a cognitive partner, augmenting and enhancing human intellect. John did not know my father-in-law, and had they met and exchanged insights, they undoubtedly would have engaged in a very spirited conversation. 

Would they have agreed that AI, ChatGPT, GenAI and LLMs do not make human intelligence obsolete but amplify its potential? I consider that possibility. But more importantly, I will consider how human potential is still vastly underutilized. Technology is a threat only if we seek to shut it out and down. Guardrails are needed—not walls.

My father-in-law’s expansive knowledge of physiology and psychology —the link between physical and mental health and his desire to sharpen people’s life performance —and John’s exploration into science and creativity and how they illuminate the pathway to heightened performance – are superpowers.  Though Burt has left this world and John is very present, their approaches to unlocking human potential are essential for medical practice to advance.

AI will assist in complex problem-solving, provide insights from extensive datasets, and foster innovative approaches to age-old challenges. However, without the time to explore patient needs and look beyond the obvious, health teams will be pressured to examine the superficial presentation of disease. Why? Because medicine stands on the foundation of science but is realized through human cognitive abilities.

Reflects Nosta: “The Cognitive Age is not just a technological revolution; it is an invitation to a deeper, more meaningful engagement with our world and ourselves. The journey calls for a unique and evolving synergy between human creativity and machine intelligence. This partnership promises to redefine our cognitive abilities and expand the horizons of our achievements.”

Look Beyond the Obvious

Medicine is becoming increasingly specialized, and the cannon on knowledge has increased beyond human capabilities to remember essential data – patient history, published data, clinical guidelines, symptoms, and signs. Imagine a physician being able to listen patiently to the patient’s journey and concerns – we must come to grips with the (depressing) reality that even the most brilliant and caring physicians no longer have the time or bandwidth (or payers’ greenlight) to diagnose complex cases. Innovative technologies must augment their passion and wisdom to heal – they do not replace. Otherwise, those patients will fall between the EMR cracks.

These technologies must now become part of the physician’s black bag, and medical schools and health institutions must welcome Nosta’s “Cognitive Age” into their classrooms and clinics, combined with Burt’s incredible thirst for knowledge and honed clinical skill. Health professional staff must augment their organic intelligence in order to sharpen their clinical and cognitive saws. They must be trained to ask savvy questions and avoid knee-jerk diagnoses that may lead treatment astray. They must embrace the Cognitive Age.

My father-in-law offered some advice for the courageous entering this uncharted territory:

“I like beginnings because if you can see yourself taking a step in the direction of change long before you reach the goal, it helps you understand that you know how to change. With the knowledge that you know how to change, you’ll be encouraged to take another step and another step. Then, eventually, you reach your goal.”

Never fear change. Reinvent yourself.

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