The surge in bans on gas-powered leaf blowers was significantly accelerated by the pandemic. As millions of people began working from home, they became acutely aware of neighborhood noise pollution, transforming a minor annoyance into a catalyst for local political action and lobbying.
A significant concern with AI porn is its potential to accelerate trends toward violent content. Because pornography can "set the sexual script" for viewers, a surge in easily generated violent material could normalize these behaviors and potentially lead to them being acted out in real life.
Studies indicate that when viewers know an erotic image is machine-made, they find it less arousing. This suggests a powerful "reality premium" where human authenticity holds unique value, potentially limiting the complete replacement of human performers by AI in creative and personal domains.
Unlike previous technologies (e.g., VHS, internet) that primarily altered pornography's distribution, generative AI fundamentally changes its production. It enables customized content creation from text prompts, shifting the creation process away from traditional studios or individual performers.
Seemingly mundane debates over gas-powered leaf blowers expose deep partisan divisions in local communities. Left-leaning areas tend to ban them citing noise and pollution, while conservative-led states pass laws protecting them, framing the issue around property rights and small business freedom.