Dead Internet Theory - why is it relevant right now?
Who hasn't read a comment column on a social media post and wondered how many of the comments are actually from real people? Shockingly, it's not even that few....
Who hasn't read a comment column on a social media post and wondered how many of the comments are actually from real people? Shockingly, it's not even that few....
The Dead Internet Theory is a theory that states that most of the internet is now dominated by bots and automated content. According to proponents of this theory, which began around 2016 or 2017, this development represents a deliberate manipulation in which social bots are used to minimize human activity and control user perception and opinion. The theory was first presented at a forum in 2021 and has since gained popularity on various social media and platforms such as YouTube. Of course, the whole thing can be labeled a conspiracy theory relatively quickly. But let's take a closer look at the concept itself.
Essential elements of the Dead Internet Theory are the assertion that a lot of content on the internet is no longer created by real people, but is instead generated by bots. For example, studies by Imperva report that 52% of internet traffic in 2016 came from bots. More recent studies suggest that this proportion has only fallen slightly.
Another aspect that reinforces the relevance of the theory is the rapid increase in content generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models such as ChatGPT. This development, which coincides with the introduction of such technologies into the mainstream, raises questions about the authenticity and quality of the information we consume on the internet. One can speak of a "layer of AI-generated content" that suppresses the visibility of authentic human contributions.
Critics of the theory, such as the founder of the media platform New Models, warned that the idea that the internet is "dead" is a paranoid fantasy, but it does address the real problems of bot traffic and the fragility of our digital infrastructure. Many users feel overwhelmed by the massive use of artificial intelligence and bots and complain that interaction on the internet is becoming increasingly impersonal.
In any case, the Dead Internet Theory invites us to think about the quality and authenticity of the content we consume. It encourages us to become aware of the mechanisms behind the information and to critically scrutinize the sources. The disappearance of authentic human interactions online could change not only our digital landscape, but also our interpersonal relationships.
In conclusion, we can say that while Dead Internet Theory makes some extreme claims, it also triggers significant discussions about how we operate in a world where algorithms and AI are increasingly taking control. Awareness of these developments could help us make better decisions about our online presence and interactions.
Sources:
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