Comment by derefr
5 days ago
I think you missed the point. Things should look like what they are.
The Linux kernel is ultimately a friendly open-source project. There's no harm in it being marketed using a cartoon penguin.
These AI services, meanwhile, are the dangled lights on the heads of data-hungry environment-threatening job-killing leviathantine anglerfish.
Making the dangled light present as non-threatening is not a good thing for society, no matter how much you may personally like pretty lights.
The one time a similar mascot to FreeBSD's would've made sense.
Are you suggesting AI companies should intentionally make the visual representations of their products look overtly terrifying?
And also, if they should look like what they are, what exactly does an AI agent that follows you around in all your devices _look like_? Surely they have to take some creative liberties, and it's hard to blame them for wanting something that looks appealing and friendly.
Would you be satisfied if they made it a floating skull with glowing red eyes that periodically screams vague threats at you?
Idk after Toy Story 3 where the cute cuddly bear was the bad guy, and after 5 nights at freddys, I no longer trust cuddly mascots.
I agree with your general point though.
Imagine 2001: A Space Odyssey with Meta's "Jolly" avatar as HAL instead of a blinking red camera lens.
So much more terrifying for a cute, round, fuzzy, friendly, rosy-cheeked plushie trying to exterminate the crew.
Is it?
Every time I think of any attempt to make something "cute" into something "dangerous", I can't take any of it seriously.
I'm reminded of mid-2000s clichés promoted by the edgelords of the time, and that was the peak edgelord era of all time.
That has a real horror movie vibe in the exact way that 2001 didn't.
Did Claude write this?
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Darkstar did have a vicious but cute beach ball
"How was I supposed to know it was full of air?" :)