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When Machines Imitate Art: What a 1930s Philosopher Saw Coming
Manage episode 493637098 series 2528061
In this episode, I step back from the hype and headlines around generative AI to reflect on something deeper: what's actually happening to our experience of art, creativity, and meaning when machines start making things that feel human.
I draw from the work of 1930s philosopher Walter Benjamin—who never saw a chatbot or image model in his life, but somehow understood the psychological and cultural impact of machine-made creativity with stunning clarity.
- What's lost when everything becomes a copy 
- Why "aura" and authenticity still matter 
- The shift from ritual to exhibition in creative work 
- What the Jason Allen AI art controversy reveals about our values 
- How new forms of creative labor are emerging—and what that means for writers, artists, educators, and makers 
- Why transparency might matter more than purity in a world of machine collaboration 
This isn't a takedown or a celebration of AI. It's a reflection. A pause. A reminder that we're not just building tools—we're reshaping what it means to be human.
If you're a teacher, a marketer, a business leader, a parent, or just someone trying to stay grounded in a rapidly changing world—this one's for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction 
- The 2022 Colorado State Fair AI art controversy 
- Stephen Marche's AI-assisted novella Death of an Author 
- Artwork- James Allen's - Th��tre D'opéra Spatial
Stay Connected:
Want more thoughtful takes like this? Subscribe to the Substack → https://bobhutchins.substack.com
Or find me on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/bobhutchins
Let's keep asking better questions.
—Bob Hutchins
132 episodes
Manage episode 493637098 series 2528061
In this episode, I step back from the hype and headlines around generative AI to reflect on something deeper: what's actually happening to our experience of art, creativity, and meaning when machines start making things that feel human.
I draw from the work of 1930s philosopher Walter Benjamin—who never saw a chatbot or image model in his life, but somehow understood the psychological and cultural impact of machine-made creativity with stunning clarity.
- What's lost when everything becomes a copy 
- Why "aura" and authenticity still matter 
- The shift from ritual to exhibition in creative work 
- What the Jason Allen AI art controversy reveals about our values 
- How new forms of creative labor are emerging—and what that means for writers, artists, educators, and makers 
- Why transparency might matter more than purity in a world of machine collaboration 
This isn't a takedown or a celebration of AI. It's a reflection. A pause. A reminder that we're not just building tools—we're reshaping what it means to be human.
If you're a teacher, a marketer, a business leader, a parent, or just someone trying to stay grounded in a rapidly changing world—this one's for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction 
- The 2022 Colorado State Fair AI art controversy 
- Stephen Marche's AI-assisted novella Death of an Author 
- Artwork- James Allen's - Th��tre D'opéra Spatial
Stay Connected:
Want more thoughtful takes like this? Subscribe to the Substack → https://bobhutchins.substack.com
Or find me on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/bobhutchins
Let's keep asking better questions.
—Bob Hutchins
132 episodes
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