AI Draws A Defining Line Through Appreciation 

Image having a fulfilling conversation with someone online, only to discover later they were in fact a set of code inside a machine masquerading as a human being. To see vibrant plants at a reception area, and then learn they’re all plastic. To listen to beautiful singing, and then realise it was acutely autotuned, or perhaps going to a concert, and observing parts mimed.  These undetected experiences are little inner fumbles of surprise dissatisfaction. And what we are potentially observing with the hasty and gargantuan impact of AI is, an aspect of this disappointment in our lives in a much more full effect. Prompting then revision for the definition of ‘art’. 

I used to think it was strange. Some people don’t like going to the cinema nowadays purely because, ‘it’s all CGI’. What they want is realness. Real set, real explosions and real stunts to bring the whole thing to, ‘life’. And I thought… It’s just a picture… The film is here to tell a story, what else do you want? Real violence and real danger to the actors?

And so becomes discussion. There seems to be an element of the human experience and interaction that has hidden aspects tied to our satisfaction. We don’t really appreciate it as important but it exists none the less. Like the dubious feeling arisen from the difference between natural and cosmetic beauty. For example, if a person you are dating doesn’t announce something about an ‘extension’ of what you find attractive. You think they should have announced it, and they think they shouldn’t. And so in this instance, even though one party was sincere about themselves to themselves, the other party can’t help but feel like they are being lied to in some way. And an inner distancing conflict takes hold. 

So it appears with certain people there is a degree of, ‘external authenticity of origin’ when it comes to appreciation. And that appreciation itself, apparently, has layers? Layers that, again supersede our own awareness as we’re too busy caught in the emotional enjoyment appreciating appreciation, so to speak. And what could be, is that those that seek to ‘slop shame’, feel threatened in a way. Losing an element of that appreciation of their human experience into something they feel to be then more… Hollow. Because their method of admiration cannot simply be at attained at face value. 

But why should that matter? ‘Hollow’?? I myself faced with and commonly observe outbursts of abrupt chanting: “SLOP!” As the newly assigned word that’s caught fire amongst the mob. Hurled at someone’s AI assisted submission . A word bare in mind, used commonly in reference to the food given to prisoners and offenders alike in jail. 

And then comes the explanation of this behaviour. This concept of ‘the soul’ argument, before later learning, is a normalised trend when it comes to AI art critiques. Critiques, that,  the community of those that support AI art simply refers to as ‘antis’. Something, I don’t believe was prompted for a return of. But it makes me ask, why should how a picture is created matter when it comes to appreciating it? Does it? Isn’t the splendour of the image enough? Or is the story behind it that makes part of it’s grandeur? Or… is this all yet another unorchestrated disruption for people in times of peace to naturally get upset about and bicker?

Well, that degree of appreciation, could just be the emotional endeavour and passionate determination that went into the picture of the artist. The skill that’s been achieved, the pathways taken. Reflected and projected through work. And now with the observer’s assured understanding for the piece sat on display, it can cater to an ‘experience’.

Something that simply isn’t present when designed by some-thing without physical form. Without perseverance and expression that dictated every stroke of construction. And ugh, comes now the need of inspection. Becomes now the discovery, an added layer itself. A new guard. A new emotionally laborious task detecting artificiality. And a tiring rise of expectation followed by a saddened drop inside finding falseness.

One that could turn bitter when repeated if it hasn’t already. And this sour hinderance differs from those, shortcutters, instead, viewing the picture simply because of the ‘end-result beauty’. As they are. Enjoying gorging and feasting, the lip-smacking of starving eyelids. Downloading the output from the seemingly ever-flowing copious cornucopia of sugary A-Eye-Candy magnificence.

The questions that remains are, does this fear of hollowness, and removal of foundational satisfaction of art’s appreciation by way of a more efficient production in place of ‘creational journey’, justify shaming those that seek to enjoy only the outcome rather than the process? Is that like asking, does the journey matter? Or is it simply about viewing what appeals? Or is something else happening?? Is this a stage of competition for accepted normality? And are these exclamations just a secret passive aggressive ousting strategy from what seems like a new threat? And is, to explain repeatedly the concept soullessness and spam “SLOP!” when opportune, reasonable behaviour? Is it energetic enough ‘activism’ to fight this loss? And will it look favourable beyond these preliminary times? Will that cause more decisive splits in society? And most importantly, as the technology advances, how are you even meant to tell the difference to enable these shame tactics?