An AI image test was made recently prompting to find the perfect male and female body according to social media and the results were interesting. Because, as expected, the "perfect" body was unrealistic, but the male body was more unrealistic than the female.
Talk about unrealistic body images.
Cover up.
But it is interesting, as the AI is going to pull what is available and apply some kind of algorithm as to what is perfect, which is dictated by us. And what this means is that on average, we have an unrealistic opinion of perfect, which isn't a surprise, since perfect is impossible. However, it should be noted that it is that on average, we all have issues with this, or at least the ones who are the most active on social media - the ones who get the most support from the average.
And, it is the average that AI caters for, because it can't actually compete with the best of us yet. At least in written form, when asking it for content it scrapes the internet and generates something that impresses the average person, but is far too generic to fool a professional. As I have stated before, there is a regression to the mean and while not catering to the lowest common denominator, it is catering to the average.
However, it is a tool for the average to be better than they can be themselves, because it is able to get quick and easy results that the average person can't get, either because they won't spend the time to learn, or can't get the skills to be good enough. No person serious about their skill (other than if they are AI coders) is going to use a chatbot as a representation of their skill level, because it doesn't reach a high enough standard.
It is much like the body shaping apps that people use to "improve" their images, because they can't achieve that level by themselves. It tells of their desire though and that they are unhappy with themselves as they are, which indicates why there is such a high suicide rate against people who are "influencers" on social media. Or should I say,
The influenced.
Who is influencing who here? After all, they are monetized by demand and we are collectively demanding unrealistic results, but the more we hover and click, the further skewed it becomes. Those looking to monetize have to increasingly move to an impossible extreme in order to compete for our attention, pushing the reality and the fantasy of themselves further apart.
But, while they have built their identity upon the public facing avatar of themselves, they also see behind the curtain and know that it really isn't them, no matter how much they wish it to be true. They are living a known lie and are being rewarded for it, which likely leads to quite a few conflicting self-esteem issues.
"You're so beautiful!"
Well, digital you. Meeting you in person - you are disappointing.
Reality doesn't meet expectations and all that digital sweetness is replaced by lines, blemishes, stretchmarks, rolls, cellulite, acne and whatever else people might find unattractive.
Not to mention the difference in personality.
So, the influencers are actually the influenced, hacked by the algorithms that drive them to act in a specific way, which is one that gets the most eyes on them. This is driven by the platforms and encouraged through the reward mechanisms so that the corporation can increase their traffic, click rates and ultimately, their bottom line.
The entire internet is a fantasy, at least at the general level, because that is what the algorithms promote. The replication of popular content is driven by what gets the most clicks, so when an AI trawls for popular content, it is going to get what the average person is attracted to, whether it is factual or not.
AI is not discerning, it is averaging, so it is going to provide results that will push some views over others, because that is what is being propagated throughout the internet, especially through the content sites that the average person uses, because that is where the content is being consumed - in the average.
There is nothing wrong with being average and enjoying average, but, we really shouldn't want our creative exploration being driven by average people and what they enjoy consuming. Otherwise, all fields start to resemble the equivalent of Temptation Island, or some such ridiculous reality show, which is not in touch with reality at all.
we don't want average people working toward clean energy solutions, because average people are highly unlikely to find a solution at all. And, we don't want the people who have a chance to cure cancer, to learn from AI generated content, because AI doesn't have the solution. Yes, AI can support these people in many ways, but they have to be able to think for themselves, not regurgitate what is already known in a way that the average person can understand it.
We need exceptional.
But, there is little support for exceptional people in most fields, unless they can kick a ball or dunk a ball. The people who are actually improving our world though, they have to fight for any support and compete with enhanced images of impossible body types for attention.
And they are losing.
We are influenced heavily by what we consume and while we might look at the end result of these AI manipulated images and be nudged, the people creating them are influenced by the apps they are consuming, to satisfy a monetization model they are consuming. It is all part of the attention economy.
It is all about consumption.
We are what we eat and now, we live in a world where we are eating such highly processed content that it is no longer useful, as it can no longer steers us into an achievable direction. It isn't inspirational or aspirational, it is depressing - because we can't compete with our own desires, we will always fall short. And when we are building our identity on fantasy, we can neither be happy with who we are, or accept ourselves as we are.
Because what we have become is an avatar.
A caricature of human.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I don't know why a lot of people do not want to be real. A lot of people now use filters which will make them look totally different from who they are and it is very crazy.
This is why it is very hard for me to believe whatever I see on social media. I don't know if I should say that AI has ruined a lot of things.
It isn't just looks - people use filters for their entire personality.
Truth!
We have really become Avatars and it is certainly not a situation that can make us happy.
As you rightly say, there is nothing wrong with the average; however, I believe that evil is contenting oneself with being mediocre a priori; it may be a matter of character but I need to improve and evolve and also try to be above average.
Surely trying doesn't always mean succeeding, but I don't think the problem lies in this as much as in the fact that by now many have decided that you shouldn't even try... this is the sad thing, giving up before starting the challenge.
You can win and you can lose when you try, if you don't try you always come out defeated, but it seems that many do not understand this.
At least improve on our own personal averages, rather than fake someone else's, or worse. And as you rightly say, so many don't even try anymore.
Yes, the main problem in my opinion is not trying; the result can be a consequence and can be both positive and negative but after all it arises only from the action; if you don't do it you're not wrong but you will always have many regrets in my opinion.
I wonder at what point innovation slows because of people not trying. Potential scientists never trying, because they ended up gaming instead, or as instagram influencers.
It is scary that people seem to think AI will have all the answers. AI will only provide what already exists. Even that is limited as my understanding AI like ChatGP can only provide answers about persons, places, things, and events before 2021. It is also been known to be inaccurate. I even watched a piece the other night on news about it having issues when it goes off on tangents and produces irrelevant information or sources for information that is not true.
I do think it can be a useful tool to ASSIST with researching, but one should always verify any source to begin with just like when using Google-FU or Bing to search for information, you should double check what you find.
AI has been in the news a lot here in the states the last couple of days as the CEO of ChatGP testified before our Congress yesterday about tightening the reigns and putting up some legal guard rails around AI before it gets any further along. I thin that says something when the CEO of the actual company says they need regulated.
It will guess, filling in blanks with whatever is close enough - the average person likely doesn't even realize the difference.
I think they want to shut the door on other AI companies, now they have got first to the table. It happens with many new industries.
Wow. Now that is scary.
I was looking at it from a more positive aspect, but your probably right and they are only trying to protect their market share.
I remember doing studies about this in university, and that was 25 years ago. It's somewhat depressing to see how much worse and more extreme it's gotten in the years since.
Consumption is the demand - whatever is supplied is done so because there is demand somewhere for it. Goes to show what we want though.
I find it interesting how some people are constantly looking for the ideal based on group consensus. My ideal is my ideal. That especially applies to how I view myself. It's part of the reason I'm starting a 30 Day Whole Life Cleanse. I need to get the outside influences out of my life so I can be with myself and better understand what makes me truly happy and fulfilled.
Great post.
But is it really? How do you know that your ideal isn't influenced by what you have been fed in your environment?
It always will be influenced. But through practices like meditation, journalling, and a lot of self-reflection I can begin to peel back the onion of what really attracts me. If I were I strictly surface level person, my ideal would be whatever was fed to me.
Some kind of vicious circle, in which people from different poles seek the center called the middle. In theory, we are dumb, but we produce AI and try to fly to Mars. Great scenario for a new TV series)
Maybe it's my hope, but I think sooner or later a fashion for the exceptional and handmade must come. When everyone gets fed up with AI and soulless mass production. I already can't stand this plastic around here. Both in videos and in texts and thoughts...
!ALIVE
I think there will be a creativity renaissance of some kind and I think that the web3 gig economy could be a driving force for it - but only the creative will survive, not the app users.
Yes, that's exactly how I see it. 💪
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I think many people don't upload their orginal photos anymore. They post them after filtering and editing, even legs :O Thus, meeting someone from internet is now more risky :)
I am glad I don't have to date anymore - though I wouldn't use digital dating apps anyway - it is so much more efficient and effective to date in real life :)
Do you think in near future people may design AI companions and have their way with romance because in real life they are frustrated? I mean this could be reasonable use case for the AI because lot of human flaws can be handled better through AI.
I think it is happening now at the extreme end, and it will only get more common. Not only are people frustrated with reality, they themselves can be whoever they want to be, when they can tell the AI how they want to be treated.
The prompt can be,
"You find unskilled, lazy, plain and overweight people attractive and you love me"
:D
You are pointing out a big contemporary problem. Fake images inspiring young kids creating confusion in them. They use some perfected (not perfect) images to be inspired from BUT they pay so much effort in that, that they lose control on many other aspects in life getting closer to depressive status.
And still, they are just fighting to get a better butt or better breast (for girls) looking also at the option of some surgical help, while boys are looking for muscles (looking for chemical help) or else like gaming stuffs.
I was thinking on that a few days ago while during the yoga class I hold on Wednesday evening, I always remind people to look for differences between our left and right side of the body but avoiding judgements.
We are imperfect creatures, but what I find interesting is how much effort we put on improving the looks of things, but not the practical side of things. We don't spend nearly as much effort on getting better at what we do.
I actually feel like a lot of people who follow me would be sorely disappointed if I were ever able to make it to Hivefest or something similar. I don't think I would live up to their expectations in real life. "AI" is just weird. I was accepted to the Google Bard program and I have it on my phone, but I never bother to use it. I just haven't been able to think of a practical or worthwhile use case yet. It feels a lot like 3D printers when they first came out. Everyone was just using them to make worthless knick knacks. Cool, yeah, but zero use case.
I think you'd be surprised in some way, though I know what you mean. People thought I'd be a lot taller than I am :D
Eventually though, 3-D printers are being used. I know people who use them to model the molds for machine parts that are going to be cast in steel. It has reduced their costs by about 90% in many cases.
Exactly, and I do see AI getting to that level at some point, but right now it just feels like a bunch of paper weights! I'm horrible at small talk and I have trouble focusing. I'm just not great at verbal communication in general!
After a few drinks... ;D
True...
Both the male and the female had too little body fat, particularly the female. For that reason, I don't think those bodies would be considered ideal by most people.
Depends on the person, but looking at those guys, they are around 3% body fat! :D
I think the woman in particular is too ripped. Having that little body fat would probably make a woman infertile. Even the guy could probably benefit from a bit of fat under his skin.
But this is the thing - no one cares about reality - it doesn't have to actually work. They want the impossible.
I just got a new haircut.I am too lazy to manipulate my photos.
You can program an AI to do it for you - to take all the work out of it.
Never used a filter, but it blows my mind that my partner won't post a story without one.