The Ominous Prophecy of Discarded Humanity The article begins by invoking Irish physicist John Desmond Bernal's almost century-old vision where human bodies are obsolete, with brains existing in a liquid-filled cylinder, achieving a 'new life' that is 'more plastic' and 'more permanent.' This futuristic outlook, meant to represent progress, is immediately framed as a horror story by the author. He directly links this unsettling foresight to the emergence of Generative AI, suggesting that it embodies a similar kind of horror, positioning humanity as both potential victims and unwitting architects of this technological shift. AI's Dehumanizing 'Progress' and Personal Experience Bernal's concept of progress hinges on 'intelligence on a material universe,' notably omitting 'human' intelligence, which the author points out. He contrasts humanity's transient, emotional, and biological existence—marked by sleep, dreams, lies, love, and mortality—with Bernal's pursuit of a 'soulless eternity' through technology. The author recounts his personal journey from viewing ChatGPT as a mere novelty to perceiving it first as an annoyance, and then as a genuine danger. This section establishes the article's core argument that AI represents a threat to fundamental human experience and dignity, echoing historical dystopian visions. AI as an Incarnation of Bodily Horror: A Cinematic Parallel To illustrate the pervasive and insidious nature of AI's horror, the author draws a powerful analogy to the classic film 'The Exorcist.' He argues that true terror in such narratives often lies not just in overt supernatural events but in the 'domestic and prosaic' permeation of evil. The intense kitchen scene in 'The Exorcist,' where a character is violently attacked, serves as a metaphor for how evil, like unchecked AI, can subtly infiltrate and dehumanize, making individuals 'despair,' and see themselves as 'animal and ugly,' ultimately questioning their worthiness of existence. This segment redefines bodily horror beyond gore, focusing on the spiritual and psychological impact. The Pervasive and Pernicious Deception of AI The author explicitly states his conviction that AI is a form of horror, particularly because it deceptively presents itself as helpful while actively causing harm. He emphasizes AI's unavoidable presence in daily life, from search engine 'AI overviews' to frustrating chatbot interactions that promise assistance but deliver inefficiency. While acknowledging the roles of billionaires, shortsighted politicians, and compromised institutions in AI's development, the author also highlights humanity's own 'participation in the machine.' This section underscores the idea that AI's greatest trick is its subtle integration and normalization, making its detrimental effects harder to recognize. Acts of Resistance and Reclaiming Human Dignity Concluding with a call to action, the article characterizes AI as 'demonic' if it strips away natural human dignity, and views its societal acceptance as inherently 'evil.' The author encourages active resistance against AI by using precise language, rejecting euphemisms, and resisting the 'seductions of ease and convenience' that AI offers in various institutions. He champions the 'difficult work of creation'—be it a poem, sketch, or handwritten note—as vital acts of defiance, emphasizing that these human endeavors stem from genuine hearts and hands. The piece culminates with a metaphor of Halloween as an opportunity to symbolically 'battle against the end of our bodies,' urging readers to find the resolve to protect their humanity from the encroaching influence of AI.
The Ominous Prophecy of Discarded Humanity
The article begins by invoking Irish physicist John Desmond Bernal's almost century-old vision where human bodies are obsolete, with brains existing in a liquid-filled cylinder, achieving a 'new life' that is 'more plastic' and 'more permanent.' This futuristic outlook, meant to represent progress, is immediately framed as a horror story by the author. He directly links this unsettling foresight to the emergence of Generative AI, suggesting that it embodies a similar kind of horror, positioning humanity as both potential victims and unwitting architects of this technological shift.
AI's Dehumanizing 'Progress' and Personal Experience
Bernal's concept of progress hinges on 'intelligence on a material universe,' notably omitting 'human' intelligence, which the author points out. He contrasts humanity's transient, emotional, and biological existence—marked by sleep, dreams, lies, love, and mortality—with Bernal's pursuit of a 'soulless eternity' through technology. The author recounts his personal journey from viewing ChatGPT as a mere novelty to perceiving it first as an annoyance, and then as a genuine danger. This section establishes the article's core argument that AI represents a threat to fundamental human experience and dignity, echoing historical dystopian visions.
AI as an Incarnation of Bodily Horror: A Cinematic Parallel
To illustrate the pervasive and insidious nature of AI's horror, the author draws a powerful analogy to the classic film 'The Exorcist.' He argues that true terror in such narratives often lies not just in overt supernatural events but in the 'domestic and prosaic' permeation of evil. The intense kitchen scene in 'The Exorcist,' where a character is violently attacked, serves as a metaphor for how evil, like unchecked AI, can subtly infiltrate and dehumanize, making individuals 'despair,' and see themselves as 'animal and ugly,' ultimately questioning their worthiness of existence. This segment redefines bodily horror beyond gore, focusing on the spiritual and psychological impact.
The Pervasive and Pernicious Deception of AI
The author explicitly states his conviction that AI is a form of horror, particularly because it deceptively presents itself as helpful while actively causing harm. He emphasizes AI's unavoidable presence in daily life, from search engine 'AI overviews' to frustrating chatbot interactions that promise assistance but deliver inefficiency. While acknowledging the roles of billionaires, shortsighted politicians, and compromised institutions in AI's development, the author also highlights humanity's own 'participation in the machine.' This section underscores the idea that AI's greatest trick is its subtle integration and normalization, making its detrimental effects harder to recognize.
Acts of Resistance and Reclaiming Human Dignity
Concluding with a call to action, the article characterizes AI as 'demonic' if it strips away natural human dignity, and views its societal acceptance as inherently 'evil.' The author encourages active resistance against AI by using precise language, rejecting euphemisms, and resisting the 'seductions of ease and convenience' that AI offers in various institutions. He champions the 'difficult work of creation'—be it a poem, sketch, or handwritten note—as vital acts of defiance, emphasizing that these human endeavors stem from genuine hearts and hands. The piece culminates with a metaphor of Halloween as an opportunity to symbolically 'battle against the end of our bodies,' urging readers to find the resolve to protect their humanity from the encroaching influence of AI.
