Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature) Cyber-Intimacy with Jeanne Proust
Mar 26, 2025
Join Jeanne Proust, Vice President of the Public Philosophy Network, as she explores the delicate balance of intimacy in the age of AI. She discusses how technology blurs the lines of relationships, raising concerns about emotional authenticity and loneliness. The conversation touches on the rise of deepfake pornography and its harmful effects on identity, emphasizing the need for philosophical inquiry in healing. Proust also highlights the importance of community engagement and genuine human connection amidst the digital landscape.
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Two Waves of Cyber Intimacy
- Cyber intimacy involves two waves: the first connects humans via technology, the second immerses users in technology itself without a real partner.
- The second wave creates experiences focused on interaction with AI or devices, not human-to-human connection.
Solitude vs. Loneliness in Technology
- First wave cyber intimacy breeds loneliness rooted in social comparison and self-presentation.
- Second wave leads to a deep solipsistic solitude focused on interaction solely with technology.
Beware Eroding Social Skills
- AI companionship can temporarily ease loneliness but may hinder developing real-world social skills.
- Confronting difficulties and disagreements with other people builds essential relational maturity.