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Uncharted territory: do AI girlfriend apps promote unhealthy expectations for human relationships?
(www.theguardian.com)
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
Isn't there a rule about when headlines ask a question the answer is 'no'?
Betteridge's Law
It's interesting to note that in the three studies cited in the Wikipedia article, the plurality of the answers to the headline-questions studied were "yes"
Very often the author wants to say something in order to attract more clicks, but they know they can’t get away with it without being called out or sued. That’s when question headlines come in, because this way they always leave the back door open. It’s very rare for the question to be there for any other reason.
Is the answer no?
I would guess for most people it's no. However, I would also expect this to appeal to the people where the answer is more likely to be yes. Those people are also the most vulnerable to the incel messaging though, which that will absolutely promote unhealthy expectations for relationships, so is this a net positive or negative? Idk.
I remember being taught this in my high school journalism class, definitely one of the most valuable things I learned in high school
There are exceptions to the rule, and this is one of them.
The rule works so well because journalists who can make a statement of fact, make a statement of fact. When they can't stand the idea up, they use a question mark for cover. eg China is in default on a trillion dollars in debt to US bondholders. Will the US force repayment? .
This is an opinion piece which is asking a philosophical question. The rule does not apply.
Cunningham’s Law
I'm pretty sure Cunningham's Law says that energy is conserved in a closed physical system
No FAP November is right around the corner.
That’s Cumminghand’s Law!