Due to this phenomenon, the big risk we face with AI is not extinction but addiction. As chat, role-play, and the AI girlfriend apps explode, the AI models will be fine-tuned to maximize engagement. LLMs will be optimized in the same way as TikTok's algorithms which are engineered to get you addicted. Human-human relationships will continue to suffer, turning us into zombies being harvested for subscription and revenue.
quite a chilling article to be honest. no joke, deleted TikTok after reading this. it is scary to think about the next generation. the amount of young kids that are exposed to these dopamine killers and addictions is increasing. i have seen so many elementary school teachers concerned about the level of intellect in their classroom. many teachers testify how their students are reading way below their expected reading levels. i wonder if this will be the new reality, or will there be some type of solution.
additionally, looking at the stats, I believe UK was ranked one of the lowest in mental health. It ranked lower than some countries amidst crisis like war, famine, etc. I think it really aligned with how in the growing age of these addictive product really are affecting people with access to technology. The Stanford anecdote was interesting
Love the visuals in this one! And wow you did a fantastic job at detailing the bigger picture!
It almost seems that our attention is going to become the new currency. With all of these apps and platforms vying for our time and data, I am not surprised Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook are all prioritizing the entertainment aspect of their platforms. The ramifications of this, as you mentioned, are harrowing.
Another thing, great point on illustrating that this is almost like a positive induced cycle. The masses give their attention to cheaply fabricated 15 second reels, AI generated art, etc. and in turn, creators are no longer incentivized to create "good" art. As someone who likes to dabble in art, this article has truly inspired me to be more intentional and to almost value the struggle that comes with it. Life would be easy if art was easy to make – but life is not meant to be easy.
I think we spend so much time trying to run away (indulging in distractive resources) from uncomfortable feelings or thoughts. My heart goes out to the younger generation who will have to deal with this at such an exacerbated level. Godspeed.
Wonderfully insightful article Rohan. I feel like now more than ever, social media and tech companies have shaped our culture landscape to where attention is the new currency. It makes a lot of sense considering the fact that we don't have to pay anything out of our pockets to access these types of media besides with our time and attention. Thus, the barrier to enjoy these forms of culture and media have such a low bar of entry and low bar of continued use. However, the primary result of our now redefined culture, is the opportunity cost of spending so much time in this addicting loop as consumers of media. It still is crazy to me to see how almost every tech company has started to move towards including some form of short-form media on their platforms, even the most unsuspecting one! (i.e. UberEats has reels now??) In my personal journey, I hope to transform my consumption of media into more long-form and rediscover my love for movies and reading. Let's see how that goes!
I also believe that the rise of short-form content and constant connectivity through modern technology significantly contributes to the increased diagnosis of ADHD and OCD. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, which deliver rapid, attention-grabbing media, train users to expect immediate gratification and quick shifts in focus. This environment can exacerbate symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, making ADHD diagnoses more likely as individuals struggle to concentrate on longer tasks. Additionally, the pervasive nature of smartphones and social media fosters compulsive checking behaviors, mirroring the obsessive-compulsive patterns seen in OCD. The pressure to respond instantly to notifications heightens anxiety and stress, which can manifest in obsessive-compulsive behaviors, pushing more individuals towards an OCD diagnosis. Habitual consumption of short-form content erodes sustained attention spans, mimicking ADHD symptoms and prompting medical consultations. Furthermore, the cultural normalization of quick content consumption blurs the lines between typical and atypical behavior, encouraging more people to seek diagnoses for conditions like ADHD and OCD. Increased awareness of these disorders through social media can also lead to more self-diagnosis and professional consultations, inflating diagnosis rates. Overall, the demands of modern technology significantly impact mental health, driving higher rates of ADHD and OCD diagnoses.
Due to this phenomenon, the big risk we face with AI is not extinction but addiction. As chat, role-play, and the AI girlfriend apps explode, the AI models will be fine-tuned to maximize engagement. LLMs will be optimized in the same way as TikTok's algorithms which are engineered to get you addicted. Human-human relationships will continue to suffer, turning us into zombies being harvested for subscription and revenue.
quite a chilling article to be honest. no joke, deleted TikTok after reading this. it is scary to think about the next generation. the amount of young kids that are exposed to these dopamine killers and addictions is increasing. i have seen so many elementary school teachers concerned about the level of intellect in their classroom. many teachers testify how their students are reading way below their expected reading levels. i wonder if this will be the new reality, or will there be some type of solution.
additionally, looking at the stats, I believe UK was ranked one of the lowest in mental health. It ranked lower than some countries amidst crisis like war, famine, etc. I think it really aligned with how in the growing age of these addictive product really are affecting people with access to technology. The Stanford anecdote was interesting
graphics game on point!
Love the visuals in this one! And wow you did a fantastic job at detailing the bigger picture!
It almost seems that our attention is going to become the new currency. With all of these apps and platforms vying for our time and data, I am not surprised Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook are all prioritizing the entertainment aspect of their platforms. The ramifications of this, as you mentioned, are harrowing.
Another thing, great point on illustrating that this is almost like a positive induced cycle. The masses give their attention to cheaply fabricated 15 second reels, AI generated art, etc. and in turn, creators are no longer incentivized to create "good" art. As someone who likes to dabble in art, this article has truly inspired me to be more intentional and to almost value the struggle that comes with it. Life would be easy if art was easy to make – but life is not meant to be easy.
I think we spend so much time trying to run away (indulging in distractive resources) from uncomfortable feelings or thoughts. My heart goes out to the younger generation who will have to deal with this at such an exacerbated level. Godspeed.
Wonderfully insightful article Rohan. I feel like now more than ever, social media and tech companies have shaped our culture landscape to where attention is the new currency. It makes a lot of sense considering the fact that we don't have to pay anything out of our pockets to access these types of media besides with our time and attention. Thus, the barrier to enjoy these forms of culture and media have such a low bar of entry and low bar of continued use. However, the primary result of our now redefined culture, is the opportunity cost of spending so much time in this addicting loop as consumers of media. It still is crazy to me to see how almost every tech company has started to move towards including some form of short-form media on their platforms, even the most unsuspecting one! (i.e. UberEats has reels now??) In my personal journey, I hope to transform my consumption of media into more long-form and rediscover my love for movies and reading. Let's see how that goes!
I also believe that the rise of short-form content and constant connectivity through modern technology significantly contributes to the increased diagnosis of ADHD and OCD. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, which deliver rapid, attention-grabbing media, train users to expect immediate gratification and quick shifts in focus. This environment can exacerbate symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, making ADHD diagnoses more likely as individuals struggle to concentrate on longer tasks. Additionally, the pervasive nature of smartphones and social media fosters compulsive checking behaviors, mirroring the obsessive-compulsive patterns seen in OCD. The pressure to respond instantly to notifications heightens anxiety and stress, which can manifest in obsessive-compulsive behaviors, pushing more individuals towards an OCD diagnosis. Habitual consumption of short-form content erodes sustained attention spans, mimicking ADHD symptoms and prompting medical consultations. Furthermore, the cultural normalization of quick content consumption blurs the lines between typical and atypical behavior, encouraging more people to seek diagnoses for conditions like ADHD and OCD. Increased awareness of these disorders through social media can also lead to more self-diagnosis and professional consultations, inflating diagnosis rates. Overall, the demands of modern technology significantly impact mental health, driving higher rates of ADHD and OCD diagnoses.