In this episode of Quasar with Fries, Rich and Wayne dive into the existential crisis that is our digital reality. Is AI a net positive or a net negative? What does it mean when you fill social media networks with AI? How does that impact the currently toxic incentives social media platforms entice content creators with? The guys discuss the latest AI news including the mysterious DeepSeek large language model (LLM) and how it is threatening to pop the AI bubble. Plus, they discuss Meta’s plans to deploy AI profiles to its platforms. The boys also discuss the current status of the “TikTok” ban in the U.S. and how the service and platforms like it have changed what it means to be a “creative.” In many cases these incentives blur the lines between art and audience. How are we coping with that? And would we be better off if the internet just went away? This is a big one. Get into it.

00:00:00 Welcome to Quasar with Fries Episode 12!

00:00:30 Holiday recap.

00:01:30 Why is everyone invisible until February?

00:08:10 DeepSeek takes a hammer to AI industry

00:15:55 Google search results list all ads on Page 1

00:18:40 AI industry, empty headlines hurting stock market

00:22:50 What is AGI and when will we reach it?

00:29:44 Meta instroduces fake AI profiles to interact with people

00:33:52 FB bots are hijacking non-political groups with political posts

00:38:18 We are more disconnected because we are connected

00:41:45 US rescinds TikTok ban

00:46:56 Content Creators getting burnt out

00:56:01 Don't choose the popularity race over just creating

01:24:00 TAKE A BREAK FROM THE INTERNET

01:36:15 Signing off. See you next time!

#deepseek #tiktok #mentalhealthawareness #contentcreator