Internal exile

Internal exile delves into the intersections of technology, art, and philosophy, examining the implications of digital innovation on society, culture, and individual identity. It critiques the commodification of social interactions, the challenges of AI in creative processes, and explores philosophical concepts reshaped by tech advancements.

Technology and Society Art and Creativity Philosophy and Concepts Social Media and Digital Culture AI and Machine Learning Privacy and Surveillance Capitalism and Critique Authenticity and Inauthenticity Language and Communication Generative AI and Content Creation

The hottest Substack posts of Internal exile

And their main takeaways

Watch out for snakes

24 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Humor Television Social Commentary
  1. _Mystery Science Theater 3000_ shows how hard it is to make entertainment and how we often work hard to be entertained. It highlights the struggle of connecting with media while feeling isolated.
  2. While _MST3K_ creates a sense of audience community, it does so by presenting the viewer as an elite critic, which can feel misleading and isolating. It’s like enjoying something ironically rather than being part of the actual story.
  3. _Gogglebox_ offers a different vibe by showing regular people watching TV together, making fun of it in a relatable way. It portrays shared experiences and light-hearted skepticism, focusing on connection rather than competition for attention.

Can we already grasp the rough outlines of these coming forms, capable of threatening the joys of marketing?

78 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Consumerism Marketing Automation Society
  1. AI agents are being marketed as helpers that take care of tasks for us, but they might actually make our lives more complicated and alienate us from real experiences.
  2. The way AI is being portrayed in ads can show a future where human agency is diminished, with technology making decisions for us instead of us making our own choices.
  3. Convenience can lead to a loss of personal will and the ability to make decisions, making it seem easier to let machines dictate our lives rather than engage with them ourselves.

Their emotions are a carefully constructed facade

42 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Identity Technology Consumerism Surveillance
  1. People often create a facade of emotions to hide their true feelings. This can lead to a disconnect between how they present themselves and how they really are.
  2. Submitting images online can reveal a lot about personal information without one even realizing it. Companies use these images to draw conclusions about us that might not be accurate.
  3. Scrolling through social media can make people feel outraged or fearful, but it often prevents them from taking real action. This cycle of reaction without action can be discouraging and unproductive.

Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of their pransings

36 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Consumerism Reviews Marketing Digital Media Social relations
  1. Many online reviews aren't truly honest; they might be fake or written with hidden goals. Instead of helping customers, they're often just a part of a site's marketing.
  2. People often trust online reviews more than personal recommendations from friends and family. This reliance shows how important these reviews have become in shopping decisions.
  3. Consumers want to believe in the value of products based solely on use, distancing themselves from social influences. This belief causes them to accept fake reviews as real if they fit their hopes.

Phone books

77 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Communication Media Society Information
  1. Phone books used to be an important part of everyday life, providing a neutral source of information about people and businesses in a community. They helped people connect and get essential local information.
  2. Nostalgia for phone books comes from their role as simple, static resources that everyone had access to, unlike today's customized, often misleading online information. They once gave a sense of shared knowledge and community.
  3. With the decline of phone books, we have lost a common point of reference, and now most information can feel personalized and isolating. This change can sometimes lead to misunderstandings about what information is truly reliable.
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Pain amplifiers

47 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Film Art Literature Media Critique
  1. David Lynch's films often evoke strong emotions and can be deeply affecting. One viewer recalls their first experience crying during a movie, highlighting the powerful connection to Lynch's work.
  2. Lynch's unique style blends surreal storytelling with unsettling imagery and sound design. This mix creates a sense of discomfort that keeps audiences engaged and guessing.
  3. As viewers grow older, their feelings towards Lynch's films can change. What once seemed confusing or unsettling can later be appreciated for its depth and artistry.

Emotional infiltration

52 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy AI Ethics Digital Culture Behavioral Economics Social media
  1. Technology is moving toward an 'intention economy' where companies use our behavioral data to predict and control our desires. This means we might lose the ability to understand our true intentions as others shape them for profit.
  2. There is a risk that we could become passive users, relying on machines to define our needs instead of communicating and connecting with other people. This can lead to loneliness and a lack of real social interaction.
  3. Automating responses to our needs, like with AI sermons or chatbots, might make us think our feelings are met, but it can actually disconnect us from genuine human experiences and relationships.

Reality raids

54 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Media theory Nostalgia Privacy Rights Human Interaction
  1. There's a nostalgic site that shares old YouTube videos with random iPhone names, showing a rawness that feels different from today's polished social media. These videos come from a time when people didn't expect wide attention, making them feel more authentic.
  2. Having relationships with AI chatbots is often compared to addictive games, where they aim to keep users engaged just like slot machines. It's essential to recognize that these relationships may not fulfill real emotional needs like human connections do.
  3. Many people confuse consuming entertainment products like chatbots with actual relationships. It's important to understand that enjoying a product doesn’t replace the value of genuine human interaction and connection.

Blue Sky Mine

77 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Culture Content creation User engagement Media Critique
  1. Many users are leaving Twitter to join Bluesky, hoping for a better platform. They want a space that isn't dominated by negativity and misinformation.
  2. Bluesky is attracting users who still value text and reading in a world where video dominates social media. This platform might encourage meaningful conversations through writing.
  3. There's hope that Bluesky can create a new kind of online community focused on text-based interaction, instead of just chasing viral content like other platforms.

Another four miles

58 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Politics Technology Society Communication
  1. Many people enjoy interactive media like podcasts and livestreams because they crave connection, even though the content can feel aimless. This type of media often emphasizes feelings over facts.
  2. Podcasts and social media can make it seem like people are part of a conversation, but the conversation is often repetitive and lacks real substance. This can make followers feel engaged without meaningful interaction.
  3. There's a contrast between the spontaneity of real human conversation and the predictable nature of AI interactions. While some might prefer the speed of AI, there's still a strong value placed on the unpredictability and warmth found in human conversations.

The thought doesn't count

69 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Advertising Consumerism Technology Society
  1. Modern technology, like smartphones, can make us act selfishly. Ads show how we can fake caring for others by using our devices instead of putting in real effort.
  2. The idea that 'the thought doesn't count' highlights how people can use technology to avoid genuine connections. It's easier to show a fake interest than to actually engage with those around us.
  3. This trend reflects a bigger issue in society where we prioritize individual convenience over community well-being. The focus is shifting towards personal satisfaction rather than caring for others.

Enough Pentelic marble

29 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art History Philosophy Digital Media Cultural heritage
  1. The Elgin marbles were taken from Greece and are now in the British Museum, leading to disputes over their rightful ownership. Greece wants them back and is exploring ways to create exact copies using new technology.
  2. 3D scans of the marbles can help make copies that look just like the originals, but these copies would not have the same history or 'aura' as the original pieces, raising questions about what we truly value in art.
  3. Creating replicas could change how we view historical objects, as flawless copies may make us forget the unique stories and imperfections of the originals, which often carry deep significance.

Sonic reducer

32 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🎶 Music AI Punk Legacy Content Streaming
  1. Using AI to recreate the voices of dead musicians, like Stiv Bators, raises ethical questions. It can feel disrespectful to the original artists and their contributions.
  2. Many people may quickly consume AI-generated content without paying much attention. This could lead to a culture where everything feels like a gimmick and not worth careful listening.
  3. There's a concern that the rise of AI content might numb viewers and listeners, making us less engaged and critical about what we consume. It creates a flood of 'whatever' content that lacks meaning.

Feed experiences

67 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎶 Music Streaming Content creation Advertising Cultural critique Digital Platforms
  1. Many artists, like Catbreath, use clever tricks to get listens on streaming platforms. This shows how the music industry can sometimes reward unconventional strategies over traditional talent.
  2. Streaming services like Spotify may prioritize ads over genuine music experiences. This can lead listeners to rely on algorithms to pick their music, which might reduce their enjoyment and personal connection to songs.
  3. The rise of AI in content creation can lead to a lack of authentic experiences. Instead of meaningful interactions, people might just consume whatever the algorithms suggest, which can make everyone feel more isolated.

Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs

12 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Music Film Art History Literature
  1. The film 'A Complete Unknown' surprisingly succeeds in portraying Bob Dylan's rise to fame in a fresh way. It focuses less on his life story and more on the idea of talent and genius.
  2. Instead of trying to explain Dylan's personality, the movie treats him as a unique force of nature. It shows what it's like to witness true talent instead of just a biography.
  3. The film assumes that viewers already understand Bob Dylan's significance and legacy. This makes it feel odd to make a movie about someone who is still alive and actively creating.

Infinite concretude

57 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Identity Fashion Social media Art
  1. Philosophy involves inventing concepts, like the constant creation of terms on TikTok; it's about forming and fabricating ideas.
  2. TikTok term-coining turns concept-making into product-making, where events are seen as product launches, reflecting the fast-paced trend cycles of social media.
  3. Creating and adopting trendy microaesthetics reflects a commitment to perpetual becoming and fashion, emphasizing the exhaustion and exhilaration of keeping up with trends.

A photo of a hamburger

33 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Entertainment Critique Social Commentary
  1. Generative models like Sora can automate video creation but may lead to an influx of unwanted content and job loss in the industry.
  2. OpenAI's Sora model aims to attract investment by presenting itself as a promising video simulator, emphasizing sample quality improvement.
  3. The 'dopamine culture' narrative simplifies complex societal issues around attention and addiction, shifting focus away from larger systemic problems.

Practico-inertia

29 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Generative models Search Engines Language Models
  1. Generative models like Google's Gemini can create controversial outputs, raising questions about the accuracy and societal impact of AI-generated content.
  2. Users of generative models sometimes mistakenly perceive the AI output as objective knowledge, when it is actually a reflection of biases and prompts.
  3. The use of generative models shifts power dynamics and raises concerns about the control of reality and information by technology companies.

Summaries without originals

29 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Ethics Digital Interaction
  1. Concern is rising that tech companies developing AI models may eventually run out of human-generated data to train the models, leading to a potential collapse of the models themselves.
  2. The use of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as AI-generated text, may interfere with human intentional communication and risk creating a future where discourse is processed only by machines, wasting everyone's time.
  3. AI technologies like LLMs can be used to manipulate power dynamics, disempower individuals, and dehumanize interactions, ultimately reshaping social relations and relegating human voices to the background.

Spacing the cans

16 HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Subcultures
  1. Aldi uses sub-brands to differentiate its products internally despite not having external competition, which can lead to a unique branding strategy.
  2. The article discusses the evolving nature of teen subcultures and aesthetics online, emphasizing the struggle for authentic self-expression.
  3. There is a comparison between offline and online subcultures, questioning the impact of online platforms on identity formation and the potential differences between the two activities.

Endless feedback

42 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Social media AI Data Privacy
  1. Facebook collects data on user input even if it's not posted.
  2. Platforms prioritize collecting user behavior for feedback over user autonomy.
  3. AI assistance aims to shape and control human thinking and behavior.

Sampler #2

31 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Art Technology Philosophy
  1. Cringe theory: Discusses the concept of 'cringe' entertainment and its relationship with authenticity and comedy.
  2. Vibes as bias: Highlights how language models like GPT can inadvertently amplify biases in text generation.
  3. Frame analysis: Explores how fan culture's desire to expand narratives can diminish the original work's impact and mystery.

Where were you

31 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Privacy Surveillance Social media
  1. Resist confusing control with care when it comes to digital technologies.
  2. Surveillance technology can alter our expectations of privacy and attention.
  3. Social surveillance blurs the lines between being cared for and being controlled.

Identitätszwang

32 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Technology Capitalism Society Identity
  1. Social media has become less about personal connections and more about commercialized content
  2. Platforms like social media aim to reshape social interactions into consumable products
  3. Users of social media may feel compelled to conform to the platform's structures and metrics

March 27

33 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Art Society Technology Media Cultural criticism
  1. AI-generated images are becoming commonplace in memes and do not signify the end of reality.
  2. Reality is socially constructed and not solely based on realistic appearances.
  3. Homogeneity is prevailing in many cultural domains, leading to sameness and average aesthetics.

April 4

31 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Neural Networks Social media Generative AI Artificial Intelligence
  1. Generative AI might make it easier to create content, but it can also reduce the engagement and discovery process.
  2. Neural nets used in AI may become so complex that humans cannot comprehend how they work.
  3. AI-generated fake interactions on social media could lead to isolated online experiences and impact data quality for training AI models.

Sampler

26 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Social media Writing Chatbots Ethics
  1. AI can be manipulated through poisoning attacks, affecting outcomes and creating incentives for spammers and tech companies.
  2. Influencers drive the trend of 'kinetic' food in restaurants, emphasizing visual appeal for videos over taste.
  3. The 'sharing economy' has shifted from genuine sharing to profit-driven exploitation, impacting workers and service users.

Boring but not necessarily meaningless

26 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Authenticity Capitalism Technology Self
  1. BeReal's new feature 'RealPeople' showcases famous individuals doing ordinary things to seem relatable.
  2. The concept of authenticity in social media often masks deeper contradictions and socioeconomic tensions.
  3. BeReal and similar platforms strive to commodify and sell the idea of authenticity, contributing to a culture of self-simulation and inauthenticity.

Pro tools

24 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Performance art Digital Art
  1. Artists are challenged by technology in art creation, raising questions about collaboration and human mastery.
  2. The use of algorithms in art risks reinforcing existing hierarchies rather than democratizing creativity.
  3. Debates on nonhuman agency in art underscore complexities around assigning responsibility and interpreting machine-generated outputs.

Our threshold of repugnance

23 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Entertainment Emotions Norms
  1. The emergence of the idea of civility traced back to a book by Erasmus of Rotterdam.
  2. New media platforms commercialize by revealing how others behave and teaching us how to live appropriate lives.
  3. Generative AI lacks the depth of human connection and practical applicability found in human interactions and specific contexts.

Truth and consequences

5 HN points • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Disinformation Generative models Fact-checking
  1. Generated images on food delivery apps are often perceived as placeholders to fulfill basic requirements, not meant to deceive or enhance the customer's experience
  2. Generative images symbolize a power shift where technology companies dictate realities that must be accepted, regardless of quality or accuracy, aligning users with this new authority
  3. Concerns over fake images highlight the complexities of truth and reality perception, emphasizing the need to navigate between obviousness, evidence, and asceticism in seeking truth