The Bootstrapped Founder 429: The Dead Internet Theory: Are We Building Machines That Only Talk to Other Machines?
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Dec 26, 2025 A humorous yet poignant exploration of AI-generated conversations reveals a troubling phenomenon: bots chatting with bots, leaving humans absent. The discussion delves into the dead internet theory, highlighting concerns about founders creating more machine-to-machine interactions. Advocating for AI to enhance human connectivity rather than replace it, the host emphasizes the importance of human input in creative processes. The episode poses a critical choice for founders: develop systems that diminish human thought or empower human capabilities.
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Bots Replying To Bots
- Arvid Kahl describes seeing an AI-written LinkedIn post with dozens of AI comments that looked human.
- He found the exchange both hilarious and tragic because no real humans were involved.
Dead Internet As Founder Risk
- The "dead internet theory" imagines networks increasingly filled by AI systems talking to each other as if human.
- Founders contribute when they build products that produce or amplify AI-generated content instead of human conversation.
Prevent Generating Low-Value Slop
- Rethink features that let your product generate low-value spam or automations that replace genuine human interaction.
- Prevent misuse by design and limit fully automated outputs that exist only to elicit commercial actions.