Fuck AI

There’s a common joke within science fiction circles derived from a Tweet by author Alex Blechman (2021). It reads, “Sci-Fi Author: In my book I invented the Torment Nexus as a cautionary tale. Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from classic sci-fi novel Don’t Create The Torment Nexus”. The joke, of course, is that tech executives fail to engage with the critical aspect of science fiction—even when it’s staring them in the face. As prolific tech critic and author Cory Doctorow (2024) puts it, “Cyberpunk was a warning, not a suggestion. Please, I beg you, stop building the fucking torment nexus”.