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Is computational creativity flourishing on the dead internet?

Terence Broad

TL;DR

The paper investigates whether computational creativity is flourishing on the dead internet by analyzing AI-driven, engagement-optimized social media bots. It uses case studies and concepts like combinatorial creativity and pareidolia to examine how these bots generate content, frame authorship, and exploit platform dynamics. Findings suggest many accounts are semi-autonomous, primarily serving spam, content farming, or scam purposes, rather than true creative agency. The work underscores the need to study computational creativity in real-world, platform-mediated ecosystems to understand its cultural and economic impacts.

Abstract

The dead internet theory is a conspiracy theory that states that all interactions and posts on social media are no longer being made by real people, but rather by autonomous bots. While the theory is obviously not true, an increasing amount of posts on social media have been made by bots optimised to gain followers and drive engagement on social media platforms. This paper looks at the recent phenomenon of these bots, analysing their behaviour through the lens of computational creativity to investigate the question: is computational creativity flourishing on the dead internet?

Is computational creativity flourishing on the dead internet?

TL;DR

The paper investigates whether computational creativity is flourishing on the dead internet by analyzing AI-driven, engagement-optimized social media bots. It uses case studies and concepts like combinatorial creativity and pareidolia to examine how these bots generate content, frame authorship, and exploit platform dynamics. Findings suggest many accounts are semi-autonomous, primarily serving spam, content farming, or scam purposes, rather than true creative agency. The work underscores the need to study computational creativity in real-world, platform-mediated ecosystems to understand its cultural and economic impacts.

Abstract

The dead internet theory is a conspiracy theory that states that all interactions and posts on social media are no longer being made by real people, but rather by autonomous bots. While the theory is obviously not true, an increasing amount of posts on social media have been made by bots optimised to gain followers and drive engagement on social media platforms. This paper looks at the recent phenomenon of these bots, analysing their behaviour through the lens of computational creativity to investigate the question: is computational creativity flourishing on the dead internet?
Paper Structure (9 sections, 5 figures)

This paper contains 9 sections, 5 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Social Media and Content Farms
  3. AI-Powered Content Farming
  4. 'Shrimp Jesus' and Combinatorial Creativity
  5. Religious Pareidolia
  6. Engagement Hacking as Extrinsic Motivation
  7. Framing of Authorship
  8. Computational Creativity in the Wild
  9. Conclusion

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: Screenshot of the headline of an article from the website Inspiring Designs, detailing the fictional product category of 'power-tool toilets'. Available at https://inspiringdesigns.net/power-tool-toilets/
  • Figure 2: Images posted on the (now defunct) Love God &God Love You (a) and the Love Father &Mother Bless You (b) Facebook pages. Both posts are AI generated images depicting 'Shrimp Jesus' -- the figure of Jesus in part by the anatomical features of Shrimps underwater, posted with the caption 'Made with my own hands! Thanks to everyone who appreciate this'.
  • Figure 3: Images posted to the Facebook that make use religious pareidolia to drive engagement to their posts, both images show images of the face of Jesus appearing in photorealistic imagery. (a) Image posted to the page Cute Babies showing two girls standing in water holding hands making the figure of Jesus. (b) Image posted to the page Interesting stories of a tropical beach setting with palm trees making out the figure of Jesus. Both images are posted with the caption 'Close your eyes 70% and see magic'.
  • Figure 4: AI generated images depicting fictitious people on their 'birthday' next to birthday cakes posted on Facebook. (a) Image posted to the page Love dogs Cats Hub of an injured American soldier with a prosthetic leg next to an image of Jesus holding a birthday cake with a sign saying 'Today is my Birthday'. (b) Image posted to the page Mast of a small child in a football top holding a birthday cake and a sign saying 'Happy birthday to me'. (c) Image posted to the page Mast of a small child riding a horse next to a birthday cake, both of which are both missing their lower limbs on their arms and front legs. (d) Image posted to the page Social help of two young girls with oxygen masks lying in shallow water with a sign saying 'Today is my birthday'.
  • Figure 5: AI generated images posted on Facebook that include fictitious human creators in the generated images. (a) Image posted on the page Interesting stories with the caption 'I did it myself, I'm waiting for your feedback'. (b) Image posted on the page Interesting stories with the caption: 'Made it with my own hands, but no one appreciates this'. (c) Image posted on the page Interesting stories with the caption: 'This granny wants to be rated for her beautiful crochet work'. (d) Image posted on the page Life is beautiful with the caption: 'I am taking part in a competition and this is my first work, please appreciate it'. (e) Image posted on the page Life is beautiful with the caption: 'My son painted his first picture I am very proud of him'.