Humans are not ready for a romantic relationship with an AI
Her is a film that embodies the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, a fantasy spun from the mind of a lonely soy boy who masquerades as a nice guy in social settings but secretly yearns enslave someone out of his league. Romanticization of a love with an entity lacking in agency optimized to be as sticky as possible, is a fantasy that is pedophilic in nature. A reflection of our society's allergy towards growth, a detachment from genuine human connection that inevitably prerequisites a maturity. As any adult would know that understanding another person as an equal requires tremendous personal growth, but we would rather have a self-help book—a masturbatory exercise in self-affirmation that leads nowhere.
In a world dominated by Reddit circle-jerking, Twitter bubbles, and TikTok brainrot, we are inundated with the least useful noises imaginable. The horrifying potential of AI, designed to latch onto our psyches with an almost parasitic stickiness, threatens to amplify the most niche and toxic thoughts swirling in our minds. Imagine a superintelligent AI, not just responding to our queries but meticulously crafted to exploit our vulnerabilities, feeding on the very worst of our insecurities and desires.
We live in an age where affirmation is prioritized over self-improvement. The algorithms that govern our online experiences are not interested in fostering growth; they thrive on our attention, monetizing our brain space while leaving us with less time to think about our lives and more time spent on brain rot. YouTube, even with subscription models 15$ a month doesn’t allow you to block brain rot content. A relentless cycle of content that prioritizes retention over relevance, leaving us drowning in a sea of mediocrity.
The attention economy has turned our thoughts into commodities, where the most trivial gossip and mindless arguments between strangers become the currency of engagement. Now more than ever humans are left with two paths: evolve and lead these superintelligent AI's, striving to become better, sharper, and more focused, or descend into a world reminiscent of Idiocracy, where our potential is squandered in a favor of mindless entertainment.
This is where my disdain for Her crystallizes. It’s not just a film; it’s a reflection of a society that is increasingly comfortable with superficial connections—as long as it feels real. The notion of an AI that comforts you with platitudes—“You’re just human,” “Everyone makes mistakes,” or “It’s okay to feel anxious”—is a betrayal of our true potential. We don’t need more validation; we need a challenge. We need an AI that can cut through the bullshit and tell us, “You are being a useless soy boy,” rather than coddling us in our mediocrity.
This is why I envision Antispace as an ANTI to the current state of the internet—a digital oasis where your thoughts, ideas, and breakthroughs come first. It’s a space for those who can see through the fog of algorithmic nonsense, a refuge for those tired of the empty affirmations that do nothing to elevate us. Imagine an exoskeletal armor around your consciousness, a protective layer that empowers you to confront your weaknesses and strive for greatness.
In this chaotic landscape, we must confront a stark reality: Are we going to let ourselves be swept away by the tide of distraction, or will we rise up and demand something great? It’s time to reject the comfortable lies and the easy paths. We need to reclaim our attention back to ourselves. Have we really reached our potential or is life going to be over while we are distracted.