Tag: Digital Culture
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People Are Paying to Get Their Chatbots High on ‘Drugs’
Introduction: The curious case of AI and simulated drug experiences In the digital age, the line between humans and machines continues to blur in surprising ways. A growing niche treats chatbot conversations as a canvas for simulated psychedelic journeys. Rather than actual substances, users seek altered states through carefully crafted prompts, cognitive nudges, and the…
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From Grand Theft Auto to a Mind-Hacking AI: Dan Houser Debuts a High-Stakes Novel
GTA mastermind turns novelist Dan Houser, a name long associated with the meteoric rise of Grand Theft Auto, has ventured into a new arena: the novel. After leaving Rockstar Games and launching his own company, Houser is now captivating readers with a debut that reads like a high-stakes thriller for the digital age. The premise…
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AI Nostalgia: How Fake 1980s Videos Dominate Social Media
Introduction: A New Kind of Nostalgia The internet has long been a playground for trends, but a fresh wave is rising from an unlikely source: artificial intelligence. A montage of 1980s aesthetics—think neon lights, cassette tapes, arcade cabinets, and vintage fashion—has been entirely generated by AI and has racked up hundreds of thousands of likes…
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AI Nostalgia: Fake 1980s Videos Captivate a New Gen
What is AI nostalgia and why it matters The latest online craze isn’t a retro fashion line or a vintage TV comeback; it’s a wave of AI-generated clips that recreate the 1980s in pixel-perfect, cinematic style. Known as “AI nostalgia,” these fake videos are built entirely by artificial intelligence, yielding polished montages that blend neon…
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Life after chatbots: Meet the ‘AI vegans’ refusing to accept a virtual reality
Challenging the hype: a new kind of digital conscience The debate around artificial intelligence has moved beyond clever chatbots and automated customer service. A growing cadre of gamers, artists, and technologists are calling themselves “AI vegans”—not vegetarian in the culinary sense, but ethically opposed to certain forms of immersive AI. They argue that if technology…
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Words You Can’t Say on the Internet: Censorship Today
Introduction: The rumor of banned words If you spend time on social media, you’ve probably heard that there’s a secret list of words you can’t say on the internet. While there isn’t a single universal blacklist, what you observe in comments, captions, and threads can feel like a quiet game of whack-a-mole. Terms get deprioritized,…
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Netflix’s Real-World Experiments: VR, Mini-Golf, and Selfies at Netflix House
Introduction: Netflix Takes a Detour into Real-World Experiences Beyond its vast library of streaming content, Netflix is testing a new kind of real-world engagement. By opening a physical venue, dubbed the Netflix House, the company is blending technology and entertainment to create memorable, shareable moments for fans. Located near Philadelphia at the King of Prussia…
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When pain becomes profit: Inside China’s growing ‘sympathy economy’ in livestreaming
Introduction: turning suffering into sales Across China’s bustling livestreaming landscape, a new type of commerce has emerged: the sympathy economy. Hosts share intimate, painful stories—loss, hardship, resilience—and viewers respond with engagement, support, and purchases. What began as entertainment has evolved into a structured pathway for monetization, where emotional narratives are as valuable as the products…
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Awez Darbar Mourns Anunay Sood: A Travel Influencer Who Inspired a Generation
Ayonding a Legacy: Awez Darbar’s Tribute to Anunay Sood In a season of loss and reflection, Awez Darbar, a familiar face from Bigg Boss 19 and a prominent figure in the dance and entertainment scene, has shared a heartfelt tribute to travel influencer Anunay Sood. Sood, celebrated for his immersive travel vlogs and infectious enthusiasm…
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Inno Morolong Confronts the Risks of the Slay Queen Lifestyle as Showmax Debuts Documentary
Inno Morolong weighs in as Showmax debuts Slay Queen Reality television star Inno Morolong has shared sober reflections on the realities behind the so‑called “Slay Queen” lifestyle as Showmax launches a new documentary series. The five-part show, titled Slay Queen, peels back the glossy exterior often associated with online fame and investigates the personal, social,…