Some reflection on yesterday’s post has lead me down some interesting paths. Quick recap: comment threads are worse than ever.

On one hand, I realize that my desire for connection and community is what drives me to read comments. I want to see if people are thinking the same things. if they’ve noticed something I haven’t. If they’ve got some crazy theory. The sort of thing you’d prattle on about in forums. Remember forums?

I do it without thinking too. Force of habit.

Here’s an example. I was watching the video for “STORM II” by GENER8ION feat. Yung Lean. There’s an incredibly impressive scene at the end with mind blowing choreography. One particular comment caught my eye – it read:

“This video is the ultimate reminder why AI will never replace human art. Pain. Longing. Soul. Catharsis. Absolutely phenomenal. Felt young again. Thank you for this gift.”

I love that. Getting into the AI mess isn’t something I have the energy to post about tonight, but this comment really got the core of something powerful.

Then I kept reading. The comments that followed were a mixture of people echoing the sentiments of OP while others trolled it. The worst offenders were people suggesting that AI was used in the video. I was stunned. Not at the possibility that AI could be used in the video but the sheer ignorance. Some suggested the dance number itself was AI while others said Lean wasn’t even present during the big moment at the end.

Curiosity got the best of me and I watched a beautiful 3 minute behind the scenes video that not only confirmed that the dance number and Lean were authentic, but no AI was used at all.

I knew better. But what did it take to learn that? I would say it was a brief search but truth be told, the behind the scenes video was one of the suggested videos to the side!

This sort of nonsense is why I’ve steered away from comments more frequently. I’m still guilty of clicking-outof-habit, but I’m working on it.

Until then, peep the video above and follow up with the BTS video after: