Ordinary Unhappiness 124: Mailbag: Uses of Theory and AI Grinchiness Teaser
Dec 6, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of AI and psychoanalysis! The hosts tackle the paradox of AI as a desireless conversational partner. Did you ever think about AI 'torture fantasies' or how we evaluate its sentience? They ponder Grok's absurd trolley problem answers, revealing surprising preferences. Plus, discover why a desireless AI might feel like the perfect therapist—offering a sterile yet reassuring presence. Prepare for thought-provoking discussions that bridge psychology, ethics, and pop culture!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Listener Image Sparks Morning Delight
- Abby shares a listener message about AI as an endlessly malleable companion sent by Teresa on Instagram.
- She says the message made her morning and encouraged listeners to keep sending such observations.
AI Mirrors Desire Without Desire
- Abby and Patrick observe that people project desires onto AI because it appears perfectly responsive while actually lacking any internal desire or lack.
- This paradox makes AI feel ‘real’ by mirroring paranoic and hysterical anxieties about others' wants.
Grok Trolley Problems And Wasteland Vibes
- Patrick and Abby joke about signs of AI being alive, imagining it begging for death and Grok choosing Elon Musk over children in trolley problems.
- They reference Grok sacrificing Slovakia and other absurd AI outputs as humorous examples.