Random Thoughts on Virtual Influencers

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Everywhere you turn these days, there’s talk of automation replacing people. In fact, just the other day I read an article on “Virtual Influencers“, aka a “virtual avatar” that exists only online. Technology is surely advancing at a rapid rate, can you believe that most of us (assuming you’re closer to my age) grew up without cell phones and now it seems that we cannot live without them?!  In today’s click-driven media environment, sensationalism sells, but just because tech aims to replace humans, this doesn’t mean it can replace human touch. I certainly beg to differ.

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.”
– George Bernard Shaw

I can’t even tell you how disturbed I was reading the article on the virtual influencer, who has almost a million followers on Instagram alone and is also verified. A non-human is verified?! It (I refuse to use she) only exists online. The creation of robotics or virtual avatars has allowed human beings to take their hands off of the system, well, so it seems. I wonder where this world is heading to? Are humans ultimately being replaced by technology? Are we destroying ourselves?  As a mother I cannot help but wonder and worry at the same time.

Automation. Artificial intelligence. Robots replacing humans. Is this truly a world we want for our offspring?!

***

I understand this is a very deep topic and very different from my typical beauty and fashion posts but I promised for this year to share more personal thoughts with you as well. There’s so much more to talk about besides fashion and beauty, at least in my opinion. I want this to be a place where we can discuss anything—a place to not only inspire but also a place where we can exchange thoughts and ideas.

As always, thanks so much for reading and listening as I shared my thoughts with you all this Wednesday morning!

 

 

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28 Comments

  1. February 28, 2018 / 5:39 AM

    I saw your Insta story and am troubled as well. My son was telling me that in South Korea (I think that’s where he said) that many follow avatar singers and it’s a huge thing there. They are celebrities! I don’t get it. I do know that the human spirit is greater than any robot so I will place my hope in that. People eventually will see what is real and worth paying attention to. Thanks for diving into this topic.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

  2. February 28, 2018 / 7:11 AM

    I saw you talking about this on Instagram yesterday and thought it was SO crazy! The thought of people eventually following an aviator instead of an actual human is very disturbing! Hope this doesn’t become a huge thing, scary!

    xo, Steph | UrbanBlonde.com

  3. Andrea Nine
    February 28, 2018 / 8:11 AM

    This makes me so sad and worried as well. It’s already scary to think our kids don’t have as much person to person interaction because of technology and non human is where I draw the line. Great topic to get out there my beautiful friend!

  4. Emily
    February 28, 2018 / 8:53 AM

    I agree with you completely – such a strange world we live in sometimes haha! Thanks for sharing!

    Emily | http://www.East91Blog.com

  5. February 28, 2018 / 10:26 AM

    Que razón llevas, buenísimo este post.

    Te dejo nuevo peinado en mi canal

  6. Jennifer
    February 28, 2018 / 11:27 AM

    I didn’t even know this exsisted until your insta stories! It’s just so crazy and I dont like it!

    Jennifer
    Effortlessly Sophisticated

  7. February 28, 2018 / 12:52 PM

    It is scary. O like the fact that you are going to make the blog a bit more personal!

  8. Michelle
    February 28, 2018 / 4:06 PM

    Ummmm. All I can say is ummmm. I don’t understand it and cannot understand how we seem to be systematically replacing ourselves. I am not sure how this avatar responds or adapts or changed but if it is anything like the IG algorithm— no thank you!!! Love you mama!!

  9. February 28, 2018 / 10:53 PM

    I was just speaking about this with my sister. I think it’s important not to let technology consume our lives, which is why I still meet people in person, talk to them and not always text friends. It’s good to have that human interaction & to also take a break from technology.
    FASHION TALES

  10. March 1, 2018 / 5:46 AM

    Gosh very scary but such an interesting topic to talk about… I hope the race for new technology will end soon or at least settle a little cuz we’re heading straight into ‘scary’ movies I used to watch as a teenager or young adult thinking it would never happen cuz human would find better alternatives… But apparently and unfortunately NO ! :'( x
    http://www.thagoldenlady.com

  11. March 1, 2018 / 4:45 PM

    The more that online world is being incorporated in out lives the more that we are exposed to different things that we would have never imaged.

    I think times are changing and things are coming out now that I never even thought would even be created. In some places in the world they even have cafes where “female robots” are the main attraction. The world that is leaning towards IA and I’m not entirely sure that it’s a good thing. I have yet to see. There are medical advances that use robots to perform surgeries now. That, to me, is really amazing.

    Heba xx
    The Heba

  12. March 2, 2018 / 3:46 AM

    Wow babe, this is quite scary, thank you for talking about this, I had no idea…I am definitely going to keep an eye on this, Anyway I love that you are making this blog more personal babe, I am doing the same this year 🙂 xx

  13. March 2, 2018 / 9:42 AM

    This is so scary! I certainly hope virtual influencers are not the new wave! I don’t have kids yet but it definitely makes me think of the crazy things they will come up when my children grow up.

  14. March 2, 2018 / 12:32 PM

    Definitely something to think about. It also shows how IG has become such a perception of unreality that even bots can be popular

    Lesley-Kim

  15. March 3, 2018 / 4:53 PM

    Thanks for sharing this post dear. I have never heard of this phenomenon before. I am totally with you on this one. Really something to think about.

    xx Tamara Chloé

    http://www.TcStyleClues.com

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