#505 – What part of you insists on looking perfect?

Whatever that part is, AI video is boosting its power over you––over us all.

This morning I saw on Substack that a well-known, social-media savvy congresswoman had posted a new video, and clicked on it. Within three seconds, it was obvious the video was AI-generated. After 25 seconds, my interest in watching it was all but gone.

I admire this person for how clearly she articulates her thoughts, which resonate with me, and for her equanimity when criticizing her political opponents' moves.

But the video made me cringe. Why would she use AI to do the video, I asked myself. She's so powerful in her "natural" videos––what could AI give her that she doesn't already have?

Two possible answers:

• AI helps preserve her time: she can just write her message and have a flawless video, with perfect lighting, hair, and makeup in minutes.

• AI helps preserve her reputation: she'll never misspeak, run out of breath at the end of a sentence, or fall into obnoxious intonation patterns that'd make her sound insecure.

The former disappointed me: like, what, don't we, your followers, deserve your time?

The latter saddened me: why are we still upholding the tyrannical idea that we (especially women) need to appear flawless?

Of course, it's the Ego. It tells us that anything less than perfection will have us kicked out and then, we'll die.

AI-generated videos and photo touch-up apps just give more power to the Ego, that part of us that would rather stay stuck than take a risk by dropping its protective masks.

Well, I, for one, refuse to hand my power to such a small part of me. I'd rather be imperfect and true than perfect and not myself.

Where is your Ego still clinging to looking good?

Love,

Carolina