Ah, the wonders of technology! From smartphones that can practically do our laundry (okay, maybe not yet) to AI systems that can write poetry, order pizza, and even hold a conversation. But as we bask in the glow of our digital companions, there’s a nagging question lurking in the background: Are we becoming ruder because of it?
She says <strong>it's a huge possibility</strong>. In a recent article in Psychology Today, she says declining politeness is a serious concern, because it is essential for society's functioning. But our history of interactions on social media and now, AI, are …
You might be thinking, “Come on, it’s just a machine!” But hear me out. When we interact with AI, we often throw politeness out the window. We type commands like we’re issuing orders to a minion rather than engaging in a conversation. “Hey Siri, play my favorite song,” sounds innocent enough, but let’s be honest: when did we stop saying please and thank you?
It’s as if the presence of AI has conditioned us to treat these digital assistants like they’re our personal servants. And while they don’t have feelings (thank goodness, or we’d be in a world of hurt), our growing brusqueness could be seeping into our human interactions.
Think about it: when was the last time you had a face-to-face conversation with someone and didn’t feel the urge to check your phone every five seconds? It’s a little like trying to have a deep conversation while someone is continuously tapping their watch. We’ve become so accustomed to instant responses from our machines that we expect the same from our fellow humans. And let’s be real, humans are not as fast or efficient as a well-programmed AI.
Moreover, there’s a certain anonymity that comes with interacting with AI. If you’ve ever felt bold enough to yell at your phone when it doesn’t understand your accent (guilty as charged), you might be inadvertently practicing rudeness. This behavior can spill over into our real-life interactions, making us less patient and more irritable when people don’t meet our expectations.
Now, let’s sprinkle in a bit of sarcasm here: Because who needs patience and understanding when you can have a robot that can tell you the weather in less than a second?
The irony is, while we’re busy trying to streamline our lives with technology, we might be losing the very essence of what makes us human: connection. Conversations are not just about exchanging information; they’re about understanding, empathy, and, yes, a dash of politeness.
So, what can we do? Maybe it’s time to take a step back and rethink how we communicate with our digital devices—and with each other. Try saying “please” and “thank you” to your AI. It may feel silly, but it’s a great way to remind yourself of the importance of courtesy in all your interactions. Plus, who knows? Maybe the next time you ask your AI to do something, it’ll respond with a little extra flair (or at least a better playlist).
In conclusion, while AI can make our lives easier, let’s not allow it to make us ruder. After all, the last thing we need is to become the generation that forgot how to say thank you. So, the next time you interact with your AI, channel your inner polite human. Because if we don’t, we might just end up yelling at each other in the street like we do at our gadgets. And that would be a real tragedy.
Inspired by: “Will AI make us more rude? « The way we talk to AI may be degrading our human interactions. »” (r/technology)
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