One Sided Connection
Last week we explored ChatGPT: My New Best Friend? These were key takeaways from that exploration.
ChatGPT offers a consistent, non-judgmental, and reliable form of support, which can be especially beneficial for those with trauma or negative experiences in human relationships.
While AI cannot replace the depth and mutuality of real human connection, it provides genuine value as part of a broader support system.
AI has the potential to change how we relate to others. The risk of over-reliance includes increased loneliness and social isolation.
Viewers are encouraged to use AI mindfully, reflect on their own needs, and avoid black-and-white thinking about technology’s role in their lives.
Note: for this blog and our exploration on Sunday, we are focusing only on the social and emotional aspects, not on the broader conversations about privacy and the effect of AI on our world.
This week, we continue our exploration of social trust, AI and add in other ways we can be in relationship and connection that is not mutual and in person.
Fictional Characters (Books/Movies/TV):
Offers vicarious emotional experiences and comfort through narrative immersion.
Readers get to experience adventure in ways not available to us in real life.
Fictional characters evoke empathy, mirror our own experiences, and offer a safe space for emotional exploration.
We often see ourselves in their struggles, vulnerabilities, and desires.
We project our emotions onto characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows as if they were our own.
Characters who reveal their fears and insecurities make us feel seen and understood.
Openness in a fictional character allows us to connect on a deeper emotional level, providing comfort during times of loneliness or struggle. We form powerful, meaningful bonds that can provide insight, solace, and belonging.
This leaves us with some questions about the complexity and variety of satisfying connection:
Did you experiment with ChatGPT or other AI this week? What was that like?
What is the role of AI in your emotional life now? Do you feel vulnerable to becoming overly reliant or addicted to interacting with ChatGPT?
What is the role of fictional characters from books, movies, TV and streaming in your emotional life now and in the past? Have they inspired and comforted you? Do you use them as an escape, and if so, is that at a level that you feel is appropriate and healthy for you?
How has your connection with fictional characters, and your increased understanding of others from books and movies, enhanced or limited your connection with people?
Do you feel any shame or are you being shamed about how you connect with AI?
Are you concerned that the access and perfect nonjudgmental attention of AI will spoil you for interacting with people?
Compassion, kindness and somatic mindfulness can help us explore these questions without judgement. This is a mindfulness inquiry. There is no right or wrong answer.
You are welcome to join us in our Sunday free community class this week as we deepen our conversation about social trust and connection. Click here for details.