Never Post A.I. and New American Fascism
Oct 8, 2025
The discussion dives into the potential links between generative AI and modern fascism. It explores whether AI's aesthetic could be inherently fascistic. The hosts analyze government use of AI imagery, dubbing it 'slopaganda', while questioning the absence of aura in AI art. They highlight how this might shape public perception and traditional notions of authorship. The episode wraps up with insights on the risks of unchecked AI and a thought-provoking assessment of the political landscape in relation to fascism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Questioning The AI–Fascism Shortcut
- Generative AI images are widely accused of being the aesthetic of fascism but that claim can be hasty and circumstantial.
- The association often relies on who uses the images and how, not an intrinsic visual grammar of AI output.
Benjamin's Aura Fits, But Not Perfectly
- Walter Benjamin's concept of aura is often used to argue AI's fascistic bent, but the fit is imperfect.
- Benjamin helps analyze political uses of reproducible media, yet his 1930s context limits direct application to 2025 AI.
Illusion Of Power, Loss Of Agency
- Generative AI grants narrow, simulated power: instant image-making without real agency or labor.
- That mixture of illusionary freedom and hidden costs aligns with tactics fascism exploits to manufacture mass feeling.
