Never underestimate the influence of a grandmother!

Susan Adcox

My mee-maw had dedicated grunts of disdain she used towards pointless conversation, neighborly squabbling, and even authored a special grunt just for Grandpa (with a corresponding, unladylike gesture.) Few topics of interest escaped her disapproval. She loved the dirty ongoings of political scandals and escalating social tensions as it allowed her to tune her grunted craft. 

I see her angular face, steel gray eyes, and brow scowl in my subconscious, like a foreboding from the great beyond. Before testing uncharted waters, I envision its ‘displease-her-meter’ rating. She remains a scourging voice of reason, a blue-haired, nay-sayer angel on my shoulder. 

And her alarm is sounding, full blast. 

Virtual influencers, a new reality-simulated sale tool, have launched a social media infiltration. These artificial experiences provide followers with a manufactured perfection too irresistible to ignore. With their scripted performances, these AI-created illusions are similarly creating millions of dollars in revenues for their selective industries.

Are all 400+ instagram followers of Imma aware she is Japan’s first virtual model? Or that Lil Miquela is a fictional character, a computer-generated image? I’d think 3 Million+ instagram followers ought to know. Not to be outdone, human influencers are re-creating via AI to advance their brand. Snapchat influencer Caryn Marjorie has created an AI version of herself. For $1 per minute, AI Caryn chats as a simulated ‘Girlfriend’ for the lonely. Over 2,000 hours of design and code transforms to feel as if you’re talking directly to Caryn herself.

I won’t recreate my Mee-maw’s guttural utterances (and her specific gesture I’ll certainly not attempt) but her ‘meter’ rating on these topics is sizemic. In her day, imaginary friends cost nothing and were undetectable, even from a browser history search.  

I am new to content creation. It advances like an avalanche. I dabble with danger. Yet a modern-day influencer, I am not. Our magazine will not sell you what you do not need or convince you that ridiculous-beyond-means is acceptable, or dictate ‘what is reality’ (artificially influenced or not.) Our contributors trust your judgment, appreciate your discriminating tastes, and are here to provide enjoyable commentary. We are here for you. Real friends, in the flesh, 100 percent (human.) 

Thank you for supporting real content by real people. 

photo credit: unsplash: Andy Kelly

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