this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2023
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Oh, he nailed it. Surrogate connection, that's what we're getting. And since it's clearly distinct from the real thing in several ways, it's only logical that it would be a poor substitute for irl connections. Where you can actually hug someone.
I know this isn't a novel idea, but the wire-mother analogy is a particularly effective way to communicate it, and this is the first I'm seeing it.
edit: To further add, we should probably remember that not everyone gets the same opportunities for healthy, irl connections, due to circumstances outside their control. Particularly when you're still a minor.
In these cases where the choice is between surrogate connections (say, an AI companion) and none at all (near-total social ostracisation) then the less-than-ideal becomes a little preferable to the shittiest of possibilities.
Absolutely. The essay does actually address that towards the end:
One of these things is not like the other, unless Boston is killing New York fans regularly. (Which wouldn't surprise me. My sister's a Red Sox fan.)
I personally wouldn't judge any Yankees fan living in Boston who chooses to remain closeted about their allegiances and only discusses sports online.