878 - You Will NEVER Regret Listening to this Episode feat. Max Read (10/21/24)
Oct 22, 2024
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Join a lively discussion with journalist Max Read on the surge of 'AI Slop'—the wave of low-quality, strange content overtaking the internet. Explore the alarming effects of generative AI on platforms and genuine human connection. Unpack the hidden economy of content creation, especially among creators in Kenya, and challenge the business models of tech giants. Reflect on the broader ethical implications of AI in society and ponder the future of our digital landscapes in a rapidly evolving tech world.
Max Read's exploration of 'AI Slop' highlights how low-quality AI content is degrading the internet, raising concerns about its future.
The podcast emphasizes the urgent need to pre-order Matt Christman's book, reflecting the community's strong support for creators' projects.
Discussion on the 'dead internet theory' reveals growing mistrust in online interactions due to the pervasive influence of AI-generated content.
Deep dives
Matt Christman's Book Promotion
The episode highlights the urgency surrounding Matt Christman's book, emphasizing that pre-orders for 'Matt Christman's Spanish Civil War' will be available for a limited time, ending on October 31st. An additional announcement reveals that there will be a chance to purchase 250 more signed copies, drawing attention to the high demand and potential scarcity of this exclusive offer. The discussion includes a humorous tone, chastising those who have yet to pre-order, reinforcing the importance of acting quickly to avoid missing out on this special opportunity. It underscores the community aspect of supporting creators and participating in their projects.
Memorial Tribute to Fatala Gulan
A somber note is struck as the hosts pay tribute to the late Fatala Gulan, acknowledging his significant influence on the show and the impact of his movement. The hosts mix humor with sadness, reflecting on how fake accounts and Patreon subscriptions contributed to the success of their program, demonstrating the complex interplay between grassroots movements and digital culture. They humorously suggest a school walkout to commemorate Gulan, juxtaposing the gravity of the situation with their usual irreverence. The tone captures a shared sense of loss while also critiquing the current socio-political landscape.
Rise of AI-Generated 'Slop'
The conversation shifts focus to the phenomenon of AI-generated content, referred to as 'slop,' and its proliferation across the internet. This term encapsulates various bizarre and low-quality AI creations, from surreal images to nonsensical texts that often flood social media platforms. Specific examples are shared, such as strange images served on Facebook that depict implausible scenarios, showcasing the grotesque and absurd nature of this content. This segment delves into how AI uses algorithms to create engaging materials that do not necessarily hold any artistic value, leading to a saturation of weird and often unsettling media.
Impact on Literary Submissions
The episode discusses the repercussions of AI in creative fields, particularly focusing on Clark's World, a renowned science fiction magazine that faced a deluge of AI-generated submissions. Once committed to reading every submission, the magazine was overwhelmed by the influx of low-quality content generated by AI, leading them to suspend submissions temporarily. This situation raises concerns about the integrity of literary platforms and the challenges they face in maintaining their missions in the wake of AI's rapid expansion. The strife between preserving authentic writer voices and combating the proliferation of AI 'slop' illustrates the deeper issues arising from digital content creation.
The Dead Internet Theory
The 'dead internet theory' emerges as a critical lens to examine the current state of online interactions, suggesting that much of the internet is artificially constructed and devoid of genuine human engagement. The hosts relate experiences of spam and auto-generated content on platforms like Twitter, emphasizing the eerie feeling of conversing with bots instead of real people. They highlight how this culminates in a fractured digital landscape, where human authenticity is compromised, and mistrust prevails. By weaving in elements of science fiction, the conversation hints at a dystopian quality to the internet, raising questions about reality and engagement in an era dominated by algorithms.
Journalist Max Read joins us to discuss his new piece on the proliferation of “AI Slop”: unwanted, low quality, often surreal content flooding the internet and degrading its various platforms. We talk about the dystopian quality of the trend, the economic factors encouraging it, and how it portends poorly for the future of online.
Max’s AI Slop piece: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/ai-generated-content-internet-online-slop-spam.html
Subscribe to Max’s newsletter READ MAX at https://maxread.substack.com/
Order Matt’s Book (and check out the new merch!): https://chapotraphouse.store
Come to our 11/4 Election Eve show in LA with E1: https://link.dice.fm/b1eb3de54f54
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