The public AI debate is a false dichotomy between 'hype folks' and 'doomers.' Both camps operate from the premise that AI is or will be supremely powerful. This shared assumption crowds out a more realistic critique that current AI is a flawed, over-sold product that isn't truly intelligent.

Science fiction depicted AI as either utopian or dystopian, but missed its most immediate social impact: becoming fodder for memes and humor. Platforms like Maltbook, a social network for AIs, demonstrate this unpredictable creativity. This creates a bizarre feedback loop where future models are trained on humorous, human-AI hybrid content, accelerating emergent behavior.

The Equinox ad uses rapid, nonsensical AI-generated-style clips to reflect the current chaotic state of online content. This counter-culture approach critiques the trend while using its aesthetic to grab attention, proving that meta-commentary is a powerful branding tool.

Despite broad, bipartisan public opposition to AI due to fears of job loss and misinformation, corporations and investors are rushing to adopt it. This push is not fueled by consumer demand but by a 'FOMO-driven gold rush' for profits, creating a dangerous disconnect between the technology's backers and the society it impacts.

Despite significant buzz, the trend of buying Mac Minis to run local AI models has not translated into a sales surge. The devices remain widely in stock, suggesting the behavior is a niche, performative signal of being "AI native" rather than a widespread consumer movement.

Companies are spending millions on enterprise AI tools not for measurable productivity gains but for "digital transformation" PR. A satirical take highlights a common reality: actual usage is negligible, but made-up metrics create positive investor narratives, making the investment a success in perception, not practice.

In the current AI hype cycle, a developer's reputation is built on memorable work. Creating a clever, viral, or even prank-like project serves as a better 'calling card' for one's career than pitching another generic SaaS idea. The era rewards playful and unexpected uses of technology.

The AI narrative has evolved beyond tech circles to family Thanksgiving discussions. The focus is no longer on the technology's capabilities but on its financial implications, such as its impact on 401(k)s. This signals a maturation of the hype cycle where public consciousness is now dominated by market speculation.

Science fiction has conditioned the public to expect AI that under-promises and over-delivers. Big Tech exploits this cultural priming, using grand claims that echo sci-fi narratives to lower public skepticism for their current AI tools, which consistently fail to meet those hyped expectations.