What unhinged comments about AI taught me about humans (kinda)

Two years ago (at the point of writing), I created a long-form YouTube video and an accompanying YouTube short about AI in the book industry.

The goal of the long-form video was to discuss how AI was already being used to write, scope, and plan novels by actual authors. The short-form video’s goal was to advertise the long-form video.

If you’ve not watched either video, my opinion is that I don’t think AI should be anywhere near the book creation process. Not in the writing, not in the covers, not in the planning, not anywhere.

While putting the video together, I tried out some of the tools (to demonstrate what they could do), talked about the potential impact, and gave my opinion. But the interesting thing is, the short-form video has over 50,000 more views than the long-form one.

Long form: https://youtube.com/lmSxhFgDazQ (6,547 views)

Short form: https://youtube.com/shorts/IIKKkgnfW48?si=TEipslkaPHBBUNFI (61,569 views)

Why? Because people have been commenting, and some of those comments are unhinged.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled to keep getting these comments. It’s pretty much the only reason I’ve kept the YouTube short there. After all, it’s completely out of date. Two years have passed, and AI has transformed into a different beast. One that is being used more and more by authors.

It’s a topic I should perhaps revisit, but, honestly, I’m not sure where to start.

Some of these comments are hilarious, extreme, or, in some cases, so unhinged that they’re likely bots with the sole aim of rage-baiting me and others who read them.

Because I created the pair of videos so long ago, I feel detached, not only from the number of views they get, but from the comments. It’s almost like I’m witnessing some kind of weird social experiment where people either admit to using AI to help them write or talk about using it for spell-check.

There are a few people commenting on the video who think AI shouldn’t be used to write a book. But the majority think it should. Mostly, I’m presuming, because the algorithm is showing it to people who typically watch AI content in the first place.

I’m not really mad about that, even though they’re not the right target audience for the main video. If anything, I’m pleased to see the perspective of people who use AI for writing books and feel justified in that use.

Not because I agree with them, obviously, but because the internet is an echo chamber, and sometimes, it’s good to be propelled out of that.

Algorithms exist to show you content you will, ideally, like. They are not designed to show you content you disagree with. Unless it gets so popular that the video pops up anyway (probably because it’s rage bait).

I honestly think that’s why the internet seems like a completely polarising place at the moment. Because, well, it is.

If you only see content from people you agree with, the comments will likely be from people you agree with as well. The comments from people who disagree tend to come from those who want to express their views on topics they disagree with.

Essentially, they’re argumentative, enjoy rubbing people up the wrong way, or just want to have their voice heard. They’re so passionate about their topic that they’re happy and willing to find content they don’t like, just so they can rage in the comments.

These people are not the majority. You will not find many people in average daily life walking down the street and offering their angry opinion while they look at a movie poster or something. It just doesn’t happen.

So when you see people who you disagree with in the comments, but they’re actually kind of reasonable about it, it gives me faith in humanity. There were some of these in that video. Because sure, we don’t agree on the use of AI in books, but you’re also not starting a flame war with me, so that’s good.

So I guess what I’m saying is, in a weird way, humanity isn’t lost. Disagreeing with people is a good thing. We can engage in healthy debates without jumping to conclusions or starting arguments in the comments. People do exist who think this way. The only reason we don’t think so right now is because the loud, angry people grab at your attention.

All we have to do is ignore them.