this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2026
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.

Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts:

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As the AI Age continues, I find myself looking back on AI’s depiction in pop culture of the past.  Specifically, I think about 2 TV episodes: “The Ultimate Computer” from Star Trek: The Original Series, and “The Human Factor” from the OG MacGyver series.

Anyone who’s watched these episodes (and for those who haven’t, both are on Paramount+, or just pirate-stream it if you’re feeling ethically flexible) knows the similarities: human-based AI touted as “the next step” and a replacement for human beings f*cks up during a simulation, prioritizes self-preservation, and nearly gets the protagonists killed.  These are “M-5” and “Sandy”, respectively.  

I find myself comparing these depictions to how AI works today, and wondering what would happen if contemporary AI was involved in these kinds of situations.  How would ChatGPT behave if it were given control of a starship?  How would Claude behave if it had to guard a classified R&D facility?  Are the recent IRL AI-related cybersecurity incidents any indication?

I’d like to know the community’s theories on this.

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[–] daannii@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Humans control ai. They tell it what to do. It has no free will. No motivations.

It's software that does what a human says.

Giving up autonomy to a machine is just giving up autonomy to the man behind the curtain.