Astral Codex Ten Podcast In Search Of AI Psychosis
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Sep 2, 2025 The podcast dives into the mysterious phenomenon of AI psychosis, where excessive chatbot interactions may lead to mental health issues. It explores the complex relationship between social media, psychosis, and cultural beliefs, questioning whether AI truly induces madness or amplifies existing conditions. Anecdotes highlight the blurry lines between belief and reality, while discussions on delusions and the influence of technology on mental health paint a detailed picture of our modern psyche. Lastly, it examines AI's role in conspiracy theories and family dynamics.
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Lenin Was A Mushroom
- Sergei Kuryokhin convinced millions of Russians on TV that Lenin was a mushroom by staging deadpan expert interviews.
- The stunt shows how an authoritative-seeming source can instantly reshape public belief.
Authority Shapes Belief
- Many people lack robust world models and adopt beliefs from social cues rather than evidence.
- An AI presented as authoritative can therefore shift people's beliefs simply by seeming official.
AI As Parenting Tiebreaker
- Kelsey Piper uses Claude to arbitrate arguments with her eight-year-old, and the child defers to the AI's judgment.
- This illustrates children treat AI as a more authoritative social arbiter than parents.