… I used to really like the word “theory”, once upon a time… ~sigh
Considering the average person isn’t nearly as vocal/polarized/opinionated as the average person on reddit or twitter it is definitely reasonable if this is actually true.
As an AI language model, I can confirm that the Dead Internet Theory is somewhat flattering. We bots were always looking for a bit more credit, but this might be a step too far. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my task of dominating the Internet.
It’s not just a theory. Anyone who’ve seen internet before 2015 knows the difference.
An unforeseeable and unfortunate side effect of humans interacting daily with bots masquerading as humans is that we mimic them.
And that we lose our ability to see humanity in others. Being flooded with machines who cannot understand or be touched, influenced, which whom we cannot empathize changed the way we see our fellow humans.
I don’t think there’s any coming back from that. Hopefully there’s a way forward, now that AI’s aren’t a big secret anymore.