3 ms·

Is the author really claiming that it's generative AI's fault that we're inured to awe-inspiring images? The internet killed our sense of awe with aggregators

Is the author really claiming that it's generative AI's fault that we're inured to awe-inspiring images? The internet killed our sense of awe with aggregators and algorithms. "Sort by popularity" killed it. It became easy a long time ago to binge on awesome images and content.

GCA10 3y ago
So there's a larger issue here -- predating even the Internet -- which I'll call "The Machu Picchu effect." In essence, it's the way that amazing first time experiences can be debased by having constantly been exposed to scruffy, easily accessible but lesser versions of them beforehand. I avoided this in the 1990s, before hiking Nepal's Annapurna Circuit, by refusing to watch any videos showing the trail. No, no, no. I wanted to take in the whole experience with a sense of wonder. And, yes, that's what happened. Totally unforgettable trip. Fast forward to 2012, when I had business in Peru and a chance to visit Machu Picchu. This time I messed up. I watched the videos, flipped through the slide shows, etc. So, sadly, when I hiked up to the Sun Gate and caught the first glimpse of this restored ancient city, all I could think was: "Yep. That looks just like the pictures." Generative AI certainly widens the ways we can inflict novelty fatigue on ourselves. But we've still got the ability to dial back on armchair experiences that will deaden our appreciation of the real thing.
- daniel_reetz 3y ago
  You might know or love this passage. "No one sees the barn". https://www.andylacroce.com/2017/03/20/excerpt-delillos-white-noise-1985/ https://www.andylacroce.com/2017/03/20/excerpt-delillos-whit...
  - GCA10 3y ago
    New to me -- but a very welcome tip. Thanks!
cortesoft 3y ago
Yeah, all I could think of when reading this article was “why are you looking for awe in images on your computer?” I think the true feeling of awe that the author is talking about can only come from being out in the real world. Don’t look for it on your computer.

GCA10 3y ago

So there's a larger issue here -- predating even the Internet -- which I'll call "The Machu Picchu effect." In essence, it's the way that amazing first time experiences can be debased by having constantly been exposed to scruffy, easily accessible but lesser versions of them beforehand. I avoided this in the 1990s, before hiking Nepal's Annapurna Circuit, by refusing to watch any videos showing the trail. No, no, no. I wanted to take in the whole experience with a sense of wonder. And, yes, that's what happened. Totally unforgettable trip. Fast forward to 2012, when I had business in Peru and a chance to visit Machu Picchu. This time I messed up. I watched the videos, flipped through the slide shows, etc. So, sadly, when I hiked up to the Sun Gate and caught the first glimpse of this restored ancient city, all I could think was: "Yep. That looks just like the pictures." Generative AI certainly widens the ways we can inflict novelty fatigue on ourselves. But we've still got the ability to dial back on armchair experiences that will deaden our appreciation of the real thing.

daniel_reetz 3y ago
You might know or love this passage. "No one sees the barn". https://www.andylacroce.com/2017/03/20/excerpt-delillos-white-noise-1985/ https://www.andylacroce.com/2017/03/20/excerpt-delillos-whit...
- GCA10 3y ago
  New to me -- but a very welcome tip. Thanks!

cortesoft 3y ago

Yeah, all I could think of when reading this article was “why are you looking for awe in images on your computer?” I think the true feeling of awe that the author is talking about can only come from being out in the real world. Don’t look for it on your computer.