Thread by @HariSel57511397

The issue with AI is not that it’s high-quality content. The problem is that it’s mass produced medium-grade content. Assembly line to the hand-craftsman.

In other words, it’s never been more difficult for up and coming indies to win the attention economy. /1

Hypothetically, you’re an average artist wanting to go pro. There used to be a ramp of steady improvement being rewarded with more attention—success. That ramp is now a crater. The hobbyist has to already be pro (or have institutional backing) to not drown in the digital sea. /2

If your art is passable but subpar, you’re less than disposable. If your art is average, you will never compete. If your art is above average, you’re treading water.

And this extends to the forms of art, which optimizes for visual/audio over text. /3

In order to go viral in today’s market, you have to be able to put together high quality animations on par with mainstream productions and other similar grade content. Before then, there’s no longer any reward loop. No incentive whatsoever. /4

Meanwhile, those who use AI have embraced art as a product and will generate factory produced en masse to compete on quantity if not for quality.

Okay, you can argue that artists should not be concerned with money. But… /5

You can’t look at these incentive structures and wonder why AI is taking over the internet. You can’t be mystified why the machine is winning over traditional forms of art.

And most importantly, it’s idiotic to act smug because so many people turn to these tools. /6

Okay, purity spiraling over well-meaning indies can curb some usage, but that’s not going to stop the tsunami of bad actors, scam artists, and people just trying to make a quick buck. They won’t care about your moral superiority. /end