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Please use AI
(shawnsmucker.substack.com)
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this post was submitted on 29 May 2026
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Fuck AI
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A place for all those who loathe AI to discuss things, post articles, and ridicule the AI hype. Proud supporter of working people. And proud booer of SXSW 2024.
AI, in this case, refers to LLMs, GPT technology, and anything listed as "AI" meant to increase market valuations.
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"I can't digest milk, so you shouldn't eat cheese in front of me."
Are you deserving of compassion? Sure. Does this extend to the point that we should eschew saying things that are helpful and even welcome to the overwhelming majority of the population? Not a chance.
Sorry, but not sorry.
That's just nowhere near comparable. I didn't say that people can't have friends in front of people who don't. I'm also not talking about myself.
People who don't have any social circle aren't helped by being told that they secretly actually DO have a social circle that they're just not utilizing. I happen to have a lot of patience for weird or awkward people trying to share their interests with me, but the majority of people aren't very patient. There are some people who just can't make that kind of thing happen for themselves, and so require others (caregivers or family members, usually) to assist them in socializing. These days, such people are turning to AI. A lot of people just don't have the patience to help others learn social graces. This is the reality.
Your reality really. You can change all this over time.
No, the individuals I am talking about almost universally require outside assistance to form a social circle, and many of them do use AI to socialize. Not because it helps them be better at socializing, but because being lonely is painful and talking to an AI is a substitute for what they actually need.
They’re not gonna get better at socializing by using ai for everything instead of talking to people. I don’t really have any true friends. I’ve got family, which is great, but I don’t have any friends that I go out and hang with or online friends that I game with or anything like that. I’m shit at socializing. But when I have something I want to do, I don’t just give up and use ai, I either try to reach out to an acquaintance or I look for an online community to ask for help. And yeah, that comes with the risk of getting a negative reaction and often my anxiety gives me a hell of a time but it’s the only way I’m gonna get better at it. And maybe eventually I’ll have done it so much that it’ll be normal to me instead of the horribly daunting thing it currently is
This isn’t telling people that “they secretly actually DO have a social circle they’re just not utilizing” it’s telling people to utilize the social circle they have, and for some people that might not be much at all. And that’s okay, this message isn’t directly speaking to them. The heart of it still remains: it’s better to turn to people than ai. And if you don’t know anyone, then try to meet or find someone. If it’s hobby related then see if there’s a local group (like a local knitting or book club) or try to find an online community. It’s scary as shit, but it’s worth it
Some people do not have a social circle at all whatsoever.
OK. It's better to eat salad than to eat a hamburger. Does saying this materially help people with food addictions or who live in food deserts? Does it help someone with no access to salad to tell him that it's better to eat salad?
If you’re gonna quote me then don’t leave out the relevant parts: “it’s telling people to utilize the social circle they have, and for some people that might not be much at all. And that’s okay, this message isn’t directly speaking to them.” I’d really like to repeat this point here that things don’t have to apply to every situation. Just bc you can think of a scenario where this post might be less relevant, doesn’t mean it’s bad. This is like going onto posts about nuts being healthy or recipes that have peanuts in them and angrily commenting “not everyone can eat nuts >:( some people are allergic.” The post isn’t for them and that’s okay
Also, you're being defeatist. Just because someone lives in a food desert or has a food addiction, should they give up on eating healthy? Should they say they can’t help it and not try to be healthy? No, it’s obviously still worth it to do what they can. That’s going to mean different things for different people, but the end goal of eating healthy is still the same. Similarly, just because some people are socially isolated doesn’t mean they should give up. They should still try to develop social relationships. It’s not gonna happen overnight, but trying to slowly make progress is better than just accept social isolation. Nobody deserves to be isolated and alone
Also, you say this doesn’t materially help anyone, but if the people around those who are socially isolated start reaching out to people for help instead of ai, then that could include the socially isolated person. (No matter how alone someone may feel, they do know people and people know them, there’s just no connection. They’re not friends but they could be neighbors, classmates, or colleagues. And this post is encouraging people to reach out to those around them.) So yes, this post could actually help encourage people to reach out to socially isolated people
No dude it’s not helpful to tell someone to “just do it” when they can’t just do it. You’ve got to meaningfully help them do it. I’m not gonna repeat myself again.
Okay then can you point out where I said to “just do it”?
Nope. We’re done. I repeated myself over and over. I’m sorry if you’re still confused.