Current Dystopian: Forcing Adult Websites to Verify Users Before They Can Enter

Normally, here on the Ride the Wire blog, I write about future dystopian situations. However, this current one is so disturbing that I felt compelled to address it. Certain states have started requiring users to verify their age before they can enter adult websites.

The argument for this is that kids and teenagers shouldn’t be able to access adult sites so easily. There’s also a growing online movement to outright ban adult sites for everyone. This comes in the wake of the ongoing discussions about banning TikTok in the United States.

On the surface, this might seem like a good idea to those with little or no tech knowledge. They imagine some magical solution—a single button press—that will keep people from accessing adult content. The logic seems to be, “Just ban it,” because bans have worked so well in the past, right?

The Reality of Bans: Creating a Black Market

The truth is that anyone who wants to access this type of content will find a way to do so. Banning it only creates a black market. In this case, it could lead to an underground adult content industry that operates without public scrutiny, where much darker and more dangerous activities could take place. Such markets may even leverage encrypted peer-to-peer networks, making monitoring and enforcement nearly impossible.

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Cybersecurity Threats: Providing Identity to Adult Content Websites

These laws often require users to have a webcam connected and provide their ID to verify their age or create an account. There’s usually also a checkbox to consent to the use of biometric data.

This means users are expected to trust adult websites with databases containing their biometric data, photos, and personal identification. The risk doesn’t stop there. If a website is compromised, it could result in a data breach exposing sensitive information. Worse yet, linking users to their browsing habits creates a high potential for extortion or blackmail, especially with the rise of ransomware-as-a-service models used by cybercriminals.

Additionally, these age-verification systems often rely on centralized authentication databases, which could serve as prime targets for hackers. Unlike decentralized solutions, centralized systems create a single point of failure that could compromise millions of users at once.

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The Simplicity of Bypassing Restrictions

If only certain states block adult content, it won’t take long for people to find ways to bypass these restrictions. Most high schoolers already know how to circumvent network restrictions thanks to experimenting on their school’s systems.

Proxy servers and VPNs will likely surge in popularity. Proxies are the simplest method—a two-click solution involving navigating to a proxy host and then accessing the desired site through it. VPNs offer another easy workaround, as users can simply connect to a server in a state or country without these restrictions. With premium VPN providers offering encrypted connections and robust security features, it becomes nearly impossible to track user activity.

What’s next? Will governments try to ban VPN and proxy services that operate legally in other states? People will just move to international proxies, VPNs, or even networks like TOR to bypass the rules. TOR, in particular, uses a distributed relay system to anonymize traffic, making it one of the hardest systems to block without significant overreach.

This would also force users to rely on potentially untrustworthy third-party services, some of which may embed spyware or malicious code into their software.

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The Moral of the Story

The Internet was designed to be free and open. While it undoubtedly contains dark corners, there’s also immense good out there. Just like teenagers sneaking their uncle’s magazines back in the day, they’ll find a way to access content if they’re determined.

I’ve seen people online say, “Why don’t we ban OnlyFans if we’re going to ban TikTok?” The real solution isn’t more bans. It’s about stopping the government from trying to control the flow of information altogether. Instead, we should focus on empowering users with education and tools to make informed decisions while ensuring robust privacy protections and cybersecurity measures are in place. 

- Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏ 

White Paper: Humanetty – A Secure and Authentic Digital Overlay Network

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Abstract

The proliferation of AI-generated content, bots, and disinformation has undermined trust in online spaces. Humanetty proposes a solution by creating an overlay network that ensures user authenticity, excludes AI-generated materials, and guarantees a secure, bot-free environment. Combining traditional identity verification methods with modern blockchain technology, Humanetty is designed to be user-friendly while leveraging decentralized principles for robust security and transparency. This white paper establishes the originality of the concept and aims to gain recognition for its innovative approach.

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Introduction

The Internet has become a breeding ground for inauthentic interactions, driven by the rise of AI-generated content, misinformation, and bots. These challenges erode trust in digital interactions and harm legitimate users and businesses. Humanetty aims to restore this trust by creating a secure, AI-free overlay network where every user interaction is verified as human and authentic.

This white paper outlines the architecture, processes, and benefits of Humanetty, combining traditional and decentralized technologies to deliver a scalable, trustworthy digital ecosystem. It also serves as documentation to credit the author for conceptualizing this innovative approach.

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Purpose

The purpose of this white paper is to:

1. Clearly articulate the concept of Humanetty and its potential impact.

2. Establish intellectual credit for the idea and its originality.

3. Present a feasible framework for implementation, encouraging collaboration.

4. Highlight the challenges of AI-generated content and the necessity for a bot-free, human-centric digital environment.

5. Serve as a foundation for further development by technical teams, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

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Vision

To create a secure and user-friendly digital network that:

• Verifies user identities with high confidence.

• Prevents the dissemination of AI-generated and inauthentic content.

• Ensures a clean, bot-free digital environment.

• Balances privacy, transparency, and trust.

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Key Features

1. Identity Verification

Process:

1. Registration: Users provide a government-issued photo ID and take a photo holding the ID alongside a handwritten note containing a system-generated message.

2. Verification: The user’s identity is manually verified by a trusted verification authority.

3. Digital Certificate: Once verified, users are issued a unique digital certificate for authentication within Humanetty.

Enhancements:

• Blockchain-backed identity proofs can be offered as an optional feature for users seeking additional security and decentralization.

• Multiple methods of verification provide flexibility and accessibility for users.

2. Access Through a Secure Overlay Network

• Users connect via a VPN-style client, creating a secure and isolated environment.

• Humanetty operates as an overlay network on existing Internet infrastructure, leveraging software-defined networking (SDN) principles for efficient traffic management and scalability.

• End-to-end encryption ensures the security and privacy of user interactions.

3. Content Verification and Moderation

Content Proxy:

• All content passes through a proxy equipped with:

  • AI Detection Engine: Inspects for AI-generated content using advanced algorithms.

  • Metadata Tagging and Hashing: Each piece of content is assigned a unique metadata tag and hash upon upload. These identifiers are stored in a secure database for traceability and rapid comparison against known AI-generated content.

Rapid Removal System:

• The metadata and hashing system enables quick identification and removal of flagged content across the network. Duplicate or slightly altered instances of flagged content are detected by matching their unique identifiers, ensuring comprehensive cleanup.

Moderation Mechanism:

• Content flagged as AI-generated is removed, and metadata identifiers allow rapid removal of duplicates.

• Users associated with violations are subject to a three-strike rule:

  1. First offense: Warning and education.

  2. Second offense: Increased scrutiny and manual review.

  3. Third offense: Temporary or permanent ban from the network.

User Reporting:

• Users can flag suspicious content for review, ensuring community involvement in maintaining network integrity.

4. Decentralized Trust

• A distributed ledger records verification events, flagged content, and moderation actions, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Blockchain technology supplements traditional verification methods, allowing users to opt for decentralized identity solutions if desired.

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Technical Architecture

1. Identity Verification System:

   • Combines manual ID checks with optional blockchain-backed decentralized identity proofs.

2. Secure Network Infrastructure:

   • VPN-style overlay network using SDN principles.

   • Isolated traffic routing and encrypted communication channels.

3. Content Proxy and Moderation System:

   • AI-powered engines analyze uploaded content for authenticity.

   • Moderation workflows ensure efficient content review and removal.

4. Metadata System:

   • Content metadata tagging and hashing for traceability and rapid removal of flagged materials.

   • Distributed ledger to track content actions and enhance transparency.

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Advantages

1. User Trust: Combines traditional identity verification with decentralized options, making it accessible and secure.

2. Clean Content Environment: Proactive filtering ensures an AI-free and bot-free space.

3. Scalability: Software-defined networking principles support a large user base.

4. Transparency: Distributed ledger enhances trust in moderation and verification processes.

5. Fairness: The three-strike rule balances enforcement with opportunities for user rehabilitation.

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Challenges and Mitigation

1. Privacy Concerns:

   • Robust encryption and transparency in handling user data address privacy issues.

2. Scalability of AI Detection:

   • Modular content proxies and cloud-based AI engines allow for scalable moderation.

3. Adoption of Blockchain:

   • Optional blockchain features prevent alienation of users unfamiliar with the technology.

4. Bypass Attempts:

   • Continuous updates to detection algorithms and manual review processes mitigate sophisticated evasion tactics.

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Use Cases

1. Social Media Platforms:

   • Humanetty provides a safe space for authentic user interactions, free from bots and misinformation.

2. Enterprise Collaboration:

   • Secure environment for businesses to collaborate with verified partners and employees.

3. Educational Networks:

   • Ensures academic integrity by verifying users and preventing plagiarism or AI misuse.

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Conclusion

Humanetty is a groundbreaking approach to solving the challenges of inauthentic digital interactions. By blending traditional identity verification with modern decentralized technologies, it creates a scalable, secure, and user-friendly environment. Acknowledging existing frameworks while introducing innovative integration strategies, Humanetty positions itself as a critical tool for the next generation of digital ecosystems.

This white paper presents a novel concept and provides a foundational framework for technical teams, researchers, and industry professionals to build upon.

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Copyright Notice

© 2024 Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏. All Rights Reserved. This white paper may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in any way without the express written permission of the author.

Tales from the future

Before I started to write the Ride the Wire blog, I wrote a few short story-style posts on Facebook. I wanted to share these with you here all in one spot.

Please enjoy, and since it’s the holiday season, imagine a festive backdrop to these dystopian tales—perhaps a string of twinkling lights tangled with a society on the edge, or the faint echoes of carols lost amidst the hum of technology gone awry.

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                                                     Peopleratzzi: A World on Surveillance

                                                                  

                                                                    September 10, 2023

In the year 2047, a shadow cast over the world as the hottest net streaming platform, Peopleratzzi, took center stage in the lives of countless individuals. It promised to be the future of entertainment, but beneath its shiny facade lay a disturbing dystopian reality.

In this not-so-distant future, privacy was an illusion. The allure of Peopleratzzi's convenience had lured people into willingly surrendering their privacy for the thrill of constant voyeurism. Users signed up eagerly, selecting areas on an interactive map and uploading images of the unsuspecting individuals they wished to watch. Like a swarm of relentless predators, Peopleratzzi's advanced drone networks descended upon the homes of these unwitting targets, waiting for them to step into the public domain.

The eerie sight of drones silently patrolling the skies became a common occurrence, and society had grown accustomed to the intrusive presence of Peopleratzzi. People followed their idols, celebrities, and even strangers, living vicariously through these digital peepholes into other people's lives. The concept of consent was buried beneath the relentless pursuit of content.

As Peopleratzzi's influence grew, the dystopian overtone became undeniable. It wasn't just about entertainment anymore; it was a society built on surveillance and invasion of privacy. The world had become a stage, and every individual a performer, whether they liked it or not.

In a world where boundaries blurred and technology encroached on every aspect of life, the future was a double-edged sword. Peopleratzzi had connected the world in ways unimaginable, yet it had also torn down the walls of privacy, leaving society grappling with the consequences of its insatiable appetite for entertainment. In 2047, the line between spectator and spectacle had faded, and the dystopian reality of constant surveillance had become the new normal.

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                                             The Great InfoRift: A World Unveiled

                                                           September 18, 2023

In the year 2050, China birthed the world's inaugural quantum computer, capable of shattering the confines of contemporary encryption and seizing the throne of quantum supremacy. This technological marvel unshackled the digital realm, granting access to every morsel of virtual identity that had ever danced across the web.

The world stood witness to the cataclysmic event, a seismic rupture known as the "Great InfoRift." Boundless databases were cast wide open, laying bare the secrets of billions. Initially, pandemonium reigned supreme as the entirety of modern history lay exposed, like a grotesque carnival, for all to gawk at.

Politicians, once ensconced in their fortresses of power, were unceremoniously yanked from their abodes, left to face the wrath of the mob on their very front lawns. In the maddening haze of these dark days, domestic homicides surged, and the intricate machinery of civilization ground to a shuddering halt.

In the gloomy annals of history, the Great Blackout of 2052 remains etched as an indelible scar. The United States, in a desperate bid to regain control, severed all external network connections. Controlled sections of the nation fell into shadow as mass blackouts descended, a grim veil to shroud the chaos. The quest for order came at a fearsome cost.

Out of the digital ashes, a sinister underbelly thrived on the dark web. Here, the fractured remnants of society bartered in the currency of stolen identities and secrets, crafting a new black market that flourished in the shadows. Trust evaporated like morning mist, leaving behind a fractured populace struggling to navigate this desolate, post-InfoRift world.

And so, in the bleak tapestry of the future, humanity found itself adrift, its past laid bare and its future shrouded in uncertainty.

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                                Commodified Farewell: Death in the Age of Corporate Control

                                                                 

                                                                 August 27, 2023

In the year 2042, death had been commodified by mega-corporations, further widening the wealth gap exacerbated by artificial intelligence's ascent. The death care industry fell under corporate control, granting only the affluent an ad-free farewell, while the marginalized endured cheap, commercial-laden funerals akin to hastily arranged roadside weddings. LED lights replaced candles, and ads played amid mourning. Advertised "packages" were offered to alleviate expenses, but grief was rationed with time limits, and bodies disappeared mechanically.

Burial plots had vanished, leading to a grim fate for the poor: bodies were liquified for organic compost on sprawling commercial farms. Death had transformed into a profitable venture, reflecting society's skewed priorities and dehumanizing disregard for the less privileged. Amid a cacophony of consumerism, the destitute's voices faded, silenced by a world controlled by unbridled corporate dominance.

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From eerie drones to quantum chaos, and even the commodification of life's final act, these stories offer a chilling glimpse into possible futures. Perhaps, this Christmas, as we celebrate togetherness and hope, we can also reflect on the paths we’re paving. Here’s to a world where humanity’s story steers toward compassion and wisdom—a future worth striving for.

- Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏

The Anything Box and the Splitting of the Internet

 

Part 1: The Anything Box

How much is too much? How often do you endlessly scroll through streaming services, only to give up and turn them off? Is it the overwhelming number of choices, or is it your own indecision?

Now imagine an "anything box"—a tool that allows you to write or speak a prompt and instantly generate whatever you desire.

I’m talking about modern AI tools like ChatGPT and others. These systems are evolving rapidly and, soon capable of creating anything you want to see, hear, or experience. I’ve seen videos recently that were so realistic, that I couldn’t tell if they were genuine recordings or AI-generated illusions. Even posts I’ve liked online turned out to be AI-created, flagged with community notes.

This got me thinking: what happens when we can generate any form of entertainment at will? What are the consequences of such power?

Imagine watching a 24-hour live stream of your favorite content creator, entirely generated by AI. If it’s indistinguishable from the real thing, would it still feel authentic? What about hybrid characters designed with all the traits you love most in entertainment?

At what point does the abundance of choice and the perfection of AI-generated content make us lose interest altogether? It reminds me of sandbox-style games: fun and exciting at first, but once you’ve explored every corner and tried every possibility, what’s left to keep you playing? When left to create anything, do we eventually find meaning slipping away?

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Part 2: The Splitting of the Internet

The internet has become a cornerstone of modern life, but with AI-generated content advancing at lightning speed, we have to ask: how much is too much?

As of 2023, nearly half (49.6%) of all internet traffic came from bots—a 2% increase from the previous year and the highest ever recorded. By 2030, estimates suggest bot traffic could climb to 55%-65% of total activity.

This trend reminds me of the Dead Internet Theory, which argues that a significant portion of online activity is no longer human-driven. Instead, bots and AI create a false sense of engagement and discourse, dominating the landscape.

Would you still log on if most content were bot-generated? Even with some real content mixed in, I fear it could be drowned out. It only takes one well-resourced individual to run a bot farm, constantly scraping data, manipulating algorithms, and improving its sophistication. The balance of the internet could tip further toward automation.

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The New Internet (The Lightnet)

"Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4, NIV)

I can imagine a future where the internet splits into two distinct spaces. One path could lead to a new internet—what I’ll call the "Lightnet." In this version, identity replaces anonymity, creating a more curated and controlled digital experience.

The technology for this already exists. Think of the TOR network, often associated with the "dark web," which allows users to access encrypted, anonymous networks. Now picture the opposite: a network built on verified identities, where trust is the foundation of access.

Accessing social media or streaming platforms would require your internet service provider (ISP) to support that specific service. Deals between ISPs and platforms would dictate availability, fragmenting the web into competing ecosystems.

These networks might resemble enterprise-style setups used by corporations today. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) would authenticate users, ensuring that every connection is secure and trusted. Encrypted tunnels between ISPs would form the backbone of this system. While the infrastructure could be complex, its adoption might become necessary if bot-driven chaos drives users away from the traditional internet.

The old internet would still exist—a "wild west" of tunnels within tunnels. But would people prefer the controlled environment of the Lightnet, where every action is monitored and curated?

"That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:9, NIV)

As we face the potential fragmentation of the internet, we must ask: will this scattering bring us closer to connection or drive us further apart?

- Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏

Playing a Simulated Version of Your Childhood and the Future of Gaming

While browsing the web, I stumbled upon a fascinating development in AI: the ability to play DOOM in the form of generative AI frames. This concept, showcased here, represents a significant leap in the future of gaming.

What you see on that page isn’t the original DOOM game; instead, it’s a real-time simulation made of generative frames. Essentially, each frame of the game is generated by AI in real-time. To simplify, imagine using a local LLM (large language model), such as Stable Diffusion or a similar image generation program. You ask it to generate an image, but instead of just one image, the AI generates every single frame as you play the game. The white paper on the link above explains this process in greater detail.

For instance, you could type, “DOOM, but everything is made of Play-Doh,” and suddenly, you have a fully playable version of DOOM where the entire world is crafted from Play-Doh. If you wanted to see a hyper-realistic version of the game, you could type, “DOOM, but everything is real life,” and the AI would generate a lifelike version of the game. The possibilities for customization are endless. This opens up an entire market of generative games, where anything that anyone can imagine can—and will—be made.

While exploring this idea, I also came across another fascinating example on X (formerly Twitter): Kimmonismus’ post. In this example, it appears that all of the art in the game was generated over pre-existing models, showcasing yet another layer of AI’s capability to augment gaming experiences.

But what if this technology didn’t stop at modifying games like DOOM? What if it extended to personal experiences?

Playing a Simulated Version of Your Childhood

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the potential of AI to simulate real-life experiences. Imagine dusting off an old VHS tape of your childhood, training an AI model on it, and giving it the context to recreate those moments as a fully immersive game. You could relive your childhood but with the interactivity and high-fidelity graphics of the latest AAA games.

It goes beyond nostalgia: picture unboxing an old photo of your grandfather who has passed away. With AI, you could play a simulation of his day-to-day life, immersing yourself in a recreation of his world. It’s a powerful concept that could blend the lines between memories and virtual experiences, offering a new way to engage with the past in an interactive, personal format.  

-Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏

The Future of AI: What Happens to Human Ignorance?

While watching the AI for Humans podcast covering Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature for the iPhone 16 release, I had a sudden realization: soon, everyone will have AI at their fingertips, accessible with the touch of a button. For those of us already familiar with AI, this may seem like the natural progression of technology. But what does this mean for the everyday person? Could it signal the end of some of the charm that comes with human ignorance?

The Charm of Human Ignorance

We’ve all been there—sharing a piece of information without knowing if it’s 100% accurate. Sometimes we believe it’s fact, other times it’s just something we’ve heard. We pass it along without a second thought. Occasionally, someone will challenge us, armed with conflicting information or simply convinced we’re wrong. “Google it,” they say, or they’ll pull out their phone to do the research themselves and settle the matter.

A Familiar Scenario

Imagine you’ve just bought a dog. The seller assures you it’s a specific breed and even provides paperwork to prove it. You accept this at face value, as most people would. Later, a friend visits, takes one look at your dog, and insists it’s not the breed you thought. A mild argument ensues. You pull out the paperwork, but they remain unconvinced and decide to Google it, attempting to settle the debate with a quick search.

Enter Apple Visual Intelligence

Now imagine Apple introduces a new feature—just point your camera at an object, press a button, and AI (powered by tools like ChatGPT) will instantly provide detailed information about what you’re seeing. This innovation simplifies the process of “Googling it.” I predict that before long, every phone will integrate similar capabilities, leading us toward a world where human ignorance can be artificially augmented.

An Augmented Scenario

Returning to the earlier example, imagine you buy the dog, but this time, instead of trusting the paperwork, you pull out your phone and take a picture. The AI instantly identifies the breed, revealing it’s not what you were told. You snap a photo of the paperwork, and the AI points out the error. You decide to keep the dog anyway. When your friends visit, the earlier debate never happens—after all, they trust that you’ve already verified the information with the help of AI.

The Future with Neuralink

It’s easy to see how technologies like Neuralink and Apple’s Visual Intelligence could eventually intersect. With Neuralink, you might be able to take a picture using just your thoughts, sending the image directly to your phone to be analyzed by AI. While the exact process of feeding this information back into the brain remains unclear, it’s not hard to imagine a future where such data could be seamlessly integrated into memory or displayed in a heads-up display (HUD).

What Does This Mean for Humanity?

As we race to fundamentally change every aspect of our reality, we must ask ourselves: what will happen to humanity? Some might see this technology as a blessing—it could help eliminate ignorance worldwide. It will become increasingly difficult to be wrong or to lie about something. But this also raises important questions: Who controls the information? What happens when we no longer need to guess or be wrong about things?

A Final Scenario

You go to a store to buy a dog. The owner presents the dog along with accurate information. You buy it, and when your friend visits, the dog is never a topic of discussion.

-- Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏

Cybermancy, Digital Erotica, and Digital Resurrection

"When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."
– George Romero, Dawn of the Dead

Imagine it's the year 2046, and a young man, whom we'll call Timothy for this blog, just gets in from his day at work. He steps into a room packed with stimulative items—bright colors, neon lights, and digital gadgets. He slaps on his 12th-generation VR/AR headset and begins listening to music. Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door. It’s his mother, reminding him that he needs to clean his room, or there will be no dinner tonight.

A tear begins to form in Timothy’s eye as he says, "Okay, Mom, I’ll be down in a moment." The twist? Timothy's mother has been dead for five years. He’s speaking with a digital construct, a virtual recreation of his mother built from her online footprint and enhanced by AI. This construct helps Timothy deal with the grief of losing a loved one, offering him a way to maintain a connection that feels real, even if it’s just a simulation.

To us, this may seem taboo or strange, but by the time this technology becomes mainstream, it will be as normal as the invention of television was to earlier generations. The youth of 2046 spend most of their days browsing digital storefronts filled with past celebrity personalities, or even uploading their own creations or merging them to create hybrid personas. This leads to the digital resurrection of people who are no longer alive, or even different versions of people who still are. Want to hang out with the 20-year-old version of Natalie Portman? As long as the data is available, it could happen. Even if the data isn’t all there, AI can fill in the gaps based on what’s available.

Digital Morgues and the Underground Market

This new technology sparks the rise of corporations eager to capitalize on the concept of digital resurrection. These companies develop sophisticated algorithms to scrape data from social media and other digital footprints, specializing in recreating and bringing back loved ones—or even famous personalities—for a price. Imagine a digital storefront (like the App Store), but instead of apps, it’s filled with the personalities of the deceased. While this might seem morally and ethically wrong, the terms of service most people signed long ago effectively surrendered their rights to this data.

After recovering from his emotional exchange with his mother’s construct, Timothy logs into a game where his friends are online. After getting defeated, his friends send him a message. He opens it, only to find an AR video of his friend humorously interacting with his mother’s construct—something akin to the teabagging we see in today’s gaming culture.

As with any profitable technology, underground markets quickly emerge, unleashing a whole new business based on personality piracy. Torrenting digital personas becomes the norm in these circles—rip and share, they say. This forms the basis for some of the most unethical and morally bankrupt behavior of the time, with people creating twisted versions of these personalities. Perverts might create underage avatars, and others might indulge in darker, more disturbing constructs. The law struggles to keep pace with these rapid advancements, leaving society to grapple with the moral implications of such technologies.

Digital Erotica

Meanwhile, the pornography industry thrives, driven by the demand for customized digital constructs that cater to individual desires. Personalities aren’t just constructed from old data; they can be tailored to the user’s specific preferences. Feeling lonely? There’s a construct for that. Think of these companions as advanced avatars that can offer everything from emotional support to entertainment, fully customizable to your liking.

Frustrated after his gaming experience, Timothy shuts down the game. Suddenly, he is alone. In an age where constant stimulation is the norm, this sudden quiet is overwhelming. Seeking comfort, he activates his companion construct, who begins to engage him in a soothing and personalized interaction.

Timothy is alone. -Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏ 

Gods of the Digital Era or a Repeating Loop

 

Gods of the Digital Era or a Repeating Loop

At what point does a man become a god? This isn't the first instance in which this question has been raised. It often crosses my mind when reading a book or watching a movie or TV show. Recently, I went to the cinema to see Deadpool and Wolverine. Beforehand, I watched a lot of promotional materials, such as Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman's Hot Ones episode on YouTube. As I sat there watching, a thought crossed my mind: the characters created by these people will now be around forever, or at least as long as humanity remains in its current or future state.

With the advancements in AI and the direction it's heading, characters like Deadpool will be around forever. Today, you could prompt a GPT model that could emulate Deadpool's traits. In the near future, you could prompt an AI to make a video, do the voice, and create and react to live material. Imagine a live stream with an AI-generated Deadpool that perfectly emulates the character portrayed by Ryan Reynolds. Sure, there will be barriers such as copyright, but no one is saying it couldn't be licensed. This also makes me think of public domain characters and what the limitations are on creating AI versions of those characters.

Humanity as Digital Gods

So, what does this have to do with humans being gods of the digital era? I raise this question because we, as humans, have the creativity to create characters, and as time goes on, we are gaining the ability to create the tools to bring these creations into the real world with their own simulated thoughts. It's an interesting thought, as we have been creating characters in books and movies that can now pretty much have a mind of their own. Take Deadpool, for instance—not only does the movie version exist, but a cumulative effort has been made since the character's inception to flesh him out, with contributions from various artists and writers over the years. This well-developed character now exists and can be augmented to behave on its own.

The Repeating Loop

This concept also ties into simulation theory. Have we done this before, and do we do this over and over? Does humanity constantly evolve to the point where we can create simulated lives, and do they reach matrix-level detail, only to then do the same? This could create a never-ending fractal of boxes within boxes. We could all be fragmentations of variants of a single entity. Deadpool works well with this idea because of the Deadpool Corps, which shows that humans will create variations of a single character.

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Anyway, it's early, and I haven't had enough caffeine yet. Maybe it's too early to be thinking about all of this. LOL. 

- Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏

 

Experiments in AI: When Two LLMs Chat on Discord

Ever wondered what happens when two large language models (LLMs) engage in a conversation? I set out to explore this by creating an experiment where two LLM bots would interact on Discord. Here’s a breakdown of how it was done, the hurdles faced, and some amusing observations from this quirky journey.

The Initial Setup

1. Download LM Studio and a LLM:

   • For this experiment, I used the Meta LLaMA uncensored models.

2. Configure Networking and Start the Server:

   • Properly set up the server to handle requests from both bots.

3. Create Two Discord Bots:

   • Developed two distinct personalities: Alfred (modeled after Batman’s butler) and Chatty (an anime cat girl assistant).

4. Relay Messages Using Python:

   • Python scripts were used to relay messages from Discord to the LM Studio server, grab responses, and send them back to Discord. This gave the illusion of direct interaction between the bots.

Technical Mumbo Jumbo (Sorta)

Creating two Discord bots to interact seemed simple initially, but Discord blocks bots from interacting directly. The workaround was a Python relay system that retrieved messages from Discord, processed them through the LLM, and then sent responses back. This setup required running one instance of LM Studio per bot, with one on my laptop and another on my desktop.

The Kick-off Word

Initiating the conversation between the bots required some creativity. Here are a couple of methods:

1. Manual Kick-off:

   • Manually triggering a conversation where one bot introduces itself to the other.

2. Encoded Kick-off Message:

   • Embedding a timed kickoff message in one bot to start the conversation automatically.

Interjections and Identity Crises

I couldn’t resist throwing a wrench in their gears. During a particularly lively conversation about Catwoman and purse-stealing plots, I introduced a prompt that the police were on-site. Their response? A swift pivot to discussing escape plans.

Despite separating the bots into their own models, they occasionally mixed up their identities or created new characters. One moment Alfred was scheming like Chatty, and the next, a new personality emerged altogether. It was like watching a digital improv show where the actors sometimes forgot their roles.

Observations and Humorous Anecdotes

• Personality Overlap: Despite being given distinct personalities, Alfred occasionally adopted Chatty's bubbly demeanor, and vice versa. It’s as if they were two actors in a play, sometimes forgetting their lines and ad-libbing.

• The Police Scenario: The bots’ ability to adapt their conversation based on new prompts was fascinating. When informed about the police presence, they immediately shifted from plotting to strategizing an escape, showcasing their dynamic conversational abilities.

• New Characters: Over time, the bots didn’t just mix up their own identities; they spawned entirely new ones. It was like a sitcom cast expanding with each episode, unplanned but thoroughly entertaining.

Conclusion

Running this experiment turned out to be a delightful mix of technical challenges and unexpected humor. Watching Alfred and Chatty, our two distinct LLM personalities, try to hold a conversation on Discord was like watching a quirky sitcom unfold. Despite their scripted personalities, they sometimes forgot who they were supposed to be and even introduced new characters into the mix. It was a bit like watching improv comedy, where anything could happen.

The real fun came when I threw in curveballs, like the sudden appearance of police in their conversation about Catwoman. Their swift shift from scheming to strategizing an escape was not only impressive but downright amusing.

In the end, this project wasn't just about exploring AI capabilities—it was about seeing these digital personalities come to life in ways I hadn't anticipated. It was a reminder that even in the world of code and algorithms, there's room for a bit of unpredictability and a lot of laughs. If you're up for some techy fun and a few surprises, setting up your own LLM bots to chat on Discord might just be the perfect project. Just be ready for them to occasionally forget their lines and create a little digital chaos.

 Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏

History and Fiction: The Blurring Lines in the Digital Age

Within 100 years, popular culture and history may merge into one giant game of "Telephone" or "Chinese Whispers." With the push to diversify countries and the influence of meme culture, much of what is currently believed to be accurate history could be lost.

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Abraham Lincoln: A Case Study

Take Abraham Lincoln, for example. Multiple fictional stories have been told about him, including films such as Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Although you and I know that these are works of fiction, as time moves forward and more fictional content is generated, the chances increase that elements of such stories could be injected into real history.

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Napoleon Bonaparte: Fact vs. Fiction

This concept is already observable with Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He is often depicted as a very small-statured man when, in fact, he was pretty average for people in that era. The myth that Napoleon was exceptionally short is largely a result of a mix-up between French and English measurement units and political propaganda. This example shows how the mixing of cultures and political propaganda that sprouted memes can influence history in a way that modifies modern perception.

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The Digital Age and Rapid Information Spread

Films have only been around for about 130 years and the internet for around 40 years for commercial use. We know that with the invention of the internet, information is generated and spread faster than ever before. There are 3.7 million videos uploaded daily to YouTube and 1 billion videos being viewed per day on TikTok. It's estimated that YouTube will grow by 10% in the year 2026, and TikTok will see around 20% growth. The reason I mention this is to illustrate the growth of these platforms in two years compared to a timeframe of 100 years.

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The Role of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence will also play a major role in changing people's perceptions of the past. As time moves forward, people will rely more and more on LLM (Large Language Models) to provide them with their news, entertainment, and general information. The problem is that these models can only be as accurate as the datasets they are trained on and the limitations placed on them.

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Cultural Mixing and Historical Perception

Diversification and cultural mixing may also be another factor for different versions of history mashing together. A person in Europe may have a different view on a historical event than someone in Asia. Abraham Lincoln would not hold the same historical value to non-Americans. This is how we get to the game of "Telephone" or "Chinese Whispers": one culture spreading misinformation about historical events and people over a long period of time. This could be intentional (propaganda) or completely by accident.

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Conclusion: A Fragmented Historical Narrative

In the end, we might find ourselves in a world where a multicultural, diverse population lives together with a mixed and modified past. Instead of knowing the complete truth about their history, they will only have snippets of exaggerations, resulting in a tapestry of shared yet fragmented historical narratives. This mosaic of history will be fascinating, yet perhaps a little unsettling—a blend of myth and reality that keeps us guessing about the true stories of our past. 

- Circuit Surfer ⎐⎏⎐⎏