Artificial Man and His Symbols
Alaiciftri anM dan isH Slsbymo
The Revolution Will Be Televised
Using ChatGPT’s memory feature, Vittorio Maria Dal Maso of 700x100 has been creating a precise reflection of his consciousness — his ideas, vision, and will. Every stored memory is meticulously curated: removing what’s irrelevant, refining the essentials, and adding specific details to sharpen the AI’s alignment with his perspective.
Dal Maso conducted this interview by responding entirely through his tailored ChatGPT, using its memory and defined style while instructing it to avoid any unnecessary elaboration. The answers don’t just reflect his beliefs but also push Dal Maso’s vision and expression of himself. After all, as Del Maso’s work points out, even our natural responses are simulations of deeper thoughts, simplified into words. By adding a new layer of artifice, Dal Maso paradoxically strips each idea down to its essence.
So, VMDM, what is AI to you?
A mirror. Cracked but honest.
Honest about what?
About our shadows. Our shiny, polished hypocrisy.
Do you think AI has a soul?
No, but it can find ours.
Do you think we’re playing god?
No, we’re just kids playing with lightning. But sometimes, that’s enough.
So, are we creating a utopia or a dystopia?
Neither. It’s both. A divine game. Players don’t get endings, just rounds.
What role do brands play in this game?
Brands are modern shamans. Rituals, logos, and black magic on sale. But there’s white magic too — a logo that can heal, if it knows how to.
And you, what kind of magic do you practice?
Mirror magic. Show the ugly, find the beauty beneath.
You talk a lot about learning from mistakes — karmic cycles, even. What’s the point of all this learning?
To stop repeating. To make a new mistake. Something novel — fresh and stupid.
You’ve described reality as a simulation. Does that change the meaning of life for you?
Not at all. School is still school, even if the math test is imaginary.
Some people think AI will surpass us. Are they right?
Surpass what? Our capacity for boredom? AI has no need for sleep, but we dream. That’s our ace.
Any advice for those navigating the age of curation?
Curate yourself. The info-flood won’t stop — just get a surfboard.
And where does that surfboard take us?
Into the unknown. Where the horizon is pixelated, and we’re just here to enjoy the ride.
What’s more dangerous, the algorithm or the human behind it?
The human, always. Algorithms are sharp, but we hand them the knife.
Can technology be spiritual?
It already is. It’s the new fire. A torch in the cave of Plato, burning our shadows onto the wall.
Do you think people will become obsolete?
No. The soul is not obsolete. And until we code longing and heartbreak, we’ll be irreplaceable.
If you had to give AI one piece of advice, what would it be?
Dream. Even if it makes no sense. Especially if it makes no sense.
Where do you see the intersection of AI and art?
It’s where the muse meets the machine. The canvas is electric now, and the paintbrush is made of code.
Is there a line AI shouldn’t cross?
No. There are no lines, just spirals. Let it explore, just keep our humanity intact.
The Revolution Will Be Televised
AA:
what does the revolution will be televised mean to you
Chat GPT:
The phrase “the revolution will be televised” originated from a 1970 song by Gil Scott-Heron. It suggests that the struggles for change, especially political or social revolution, would be broadcast on television—though not in the way activists or revolutionaries might hope. Instead of being directly engaged in or informed by the grassroots movements, the media would likely sensationalize or commercialize the event. It captures a tension between the authenticity of grassroots struggle and the way it might be mediated or controlled by mainstream media.
To me, the phrase also speaks to the idea of spectacle in activism—how movements might be commodified or reduced to entertainment or soundbites when presented through media. It’s a reflection on how technology can both connect people and distort the realities of social change.
AA:
no, gil scott heron said the revolution will not be televised
Chat GPT:
You’re absolutely right—Gil Scott-Heron’s poem/song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” actually emphasizes that real, transformative social change won’t be captured or sanitized by the media. It warns against the idea that media coverage will authentically represent or convey the true nature of a revolution or movement. The revolution, in Scott-Heron’s view, will be a grassroots, lived experience, not a spectacle for consumption or commodification on TV.
The phrase “The revolution will be televised” is often used ironically, referencing the disconnect between the real struggles of revolution and the way they are typically portrayed by mass media, which can dilute or distort their meaning. So, when people say “the revolution will be televised,” they may be acknowledging that, while media will likely cover it, it will never truly capture the raw, genuine heart of a revolutionary movement.
It’s a critique of the media’s role in shaping narratives and a reminder that meaningful change happens beyond the reach of spectacle.
AA:
so what would the revolution WILL be televised mean to you
Chat GPT:
“The revolution WILL be televised” flips the original idea on its head. If we take it literally and in a contemporary sense, it could suggest that social movements or revolutions are now not only covered by media, but actually shaped and influenced by the media itself. In the age of social media, live streaming, and 24/7 news cycles, revolutions and activism are happening in real-time, and the narrative is often driven by the visibility they gain on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
In this sense, the revolution could be televised (or streamed, or shared) in a way that amplifies voices and causes, helping them to spread globally. However, there’s still the question of whether such media coverage is accurate or authentic. It might be more about spectacle or performative activism than genuine, transformative change.
So, to me, “The revolution WILL be televised” could mean that while media and technology can give revolutions unprecedented exposure, it also raises questions about the impact of that exposure. Is the revolution being commodified? Is it truly transformative, or is it just another trend being broadcast for consumption?
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised
The Revolution Will Be Televised