Episode 81 - AI Is A Tick Upon the Body of the Earth

Ordinary people, artists, creators, farmers, workers, parents, lovers… we did not ask for AI but it was made to seem inevitable, first by Science Fiction and Horror books and films, where at least it was almost always solidly critiqued. Later it was made real by the tech overlords of Silicon Valley whose inhumane imaginations2 have set loose artificial species of energy sucking-ticks, of livelihood removal-ticks, of truth replacement-ticks.I’ve had it with the enshittification of the internet. It is almost impossible to look things up easily and effectively any more. Those of you who know me in what we 1970s kids still quaintly call ‘real life’, will know that I am not usually a complainer: if I want something done or changed, I generally just go and do it myself. Can’t get a record label? Start one. Want more people to get excited about using natural art materials and not plastic ones? Write a book, or two, about it and then go round in person and teach it. But I can’t make myself a new internet. Even my brother, author of the UK’s most widely used school technology textbooks can’t do that, and he can make most things. That’s possibly beyond almost anyone’s power, now. I’d be happy with the old one back, from about 2006, perhaps.This podcast was first published here on Substack on November 11th 2024 with full transcript, images, links and footnotes. You can support my writing and podcast simply and quickly by buying me a coffee! Get full access to Uncivil Savant at carolineross.substack.com/subscribe