In this episode of The Deeper Thinking Podcast, we explore how our tendency to anthropomorphize the world around us is being turned against us by Big Tech. Are we the ones turning our devices into human-like companions, or have we become the pets, manipulated by algorithms designed to feed off our emotional responses? We dive into the film Her (2013) as a cautionary tale, explore the “uncanny valley” of AI, and contrast Western philosophical ideas with Eastern perspectives on interconnectedness. We also examine the ethical implications of AI manipulation and how we can reclaim our humanity in an increasingly digital world. And of course, we ask the big question: does your Roomba just need to get out more?:

In this thought-provoking episode of The Deeper Thinking Podcast, we delve into our complex relationship with technology and how our tendency to anthropomorphize the world around us is being used against us by Big Tech. Are we the ones turning our devices into human-like companions, or are we unwittingly becoming pets to algorithms that feed off our emotional responses?

We dive into the themes of the movie Her (2013), using it as a cautionary tale of AI-human relationships, and examine the “uncanny valley” in the context of artificial intelligence. We contrast Western philosophies, which often focus on individualism, with Eastern perspectives on interconnectedness, asking how each might interpret our growing attachment to technology. Beyond the philosophical, we confront the ethical implications of AI manipulation and explore how we can reclaim our humanity in this digital age.

Join us as we tackle these questions and more, including the big one: does your Roomba just need to get out more?

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