Are you amused by the AI ​​video of a dancing raccoon? This is how the misery begins Polly Hudson

MWhatever you like about technology, there’s no denying that it makes friendships easier. In an ideal world, you would spend quality time together, having deep, meaningful conversations on the phone and exchanging thoughtful, insightful texts. But when you’re busy, tired, or just not in the mood, it’s a huge relief when you can send a meme or a short video and know that it fully counts toward staying in touch. Result.

Last week, my terrifying, all-knowing algorithm gave me an Instagram reel featuring an incredibly realistic 3D hole painted on the sidewalk by a street artist in New York. As people passed by, they looked down, saw the hole and panicked because they felt like they were going to fall, so they fell to the ground, even though of course the sidewalk was flat and solid. It was funny and, I thought, clever, so I sent it to a friend who I thought would approve. Instead, he told me for sure that there was no 3D hole, no street artist, and no passersby – because the clip was AI. Damn, new…