AI + Robots + Addiction to Pleasure | A Brave New World
The Break Free Newsletter - Edition #12
![Reality cannot be ignored except at a price." - Aldous Huxley [2160X2160] : r/QuotesPorn](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe8912043-54e8-4845-a7d7-c71e058488da_2160x2160.png "Reality cannot be ignored except at a price.\" - Aldous Huxley [2160X2160] : r/QuotesPorn")
Thinking deeply about the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence in personal life and business, and the idea of household robots on the horizon, has made my head spin with alarm and dread. Add to that a pleasure-addicted world, and it’s hard not to imagine we’re heading for trouble.
Like Aldous Huxley’s dystopian masterpiece, A Brave New World, I fear humanity is becoming ensnared by the drug of pleasure. In Huxley’s world, soma was the ultimate "cure" for discomfort → an ever-present, state-sanctioned escape that numbed citizens into submission while maintaining the illusion of happiness.
We already have a cultural addiction to instant gratification, with seemingly every corner of the digital ocean lined with businesses trying to catch our attention through the vices we signal to the algorithm.
It’s a brilliant trap: irresistible, unending, and designed to keep us hooked on bite-sized hits of dopamine. These corporate vessels practice a catch-and-release policy → not to spare us, but to ensure we recharge just enough for the next catch.
The more energy in the catch, the bigger the yield → the grander the feast.
Now, with the tools of AI and robotics, these commercial ships are poised to cast even more insidious bait → an unending, unthinkable supply of addictive compounds.
Are we, like the citizens of Brave New World, trading our freedom for comfort? Is the digital age delivering our own version of soma → a cure for boredom, loneliness, or discomfort that quietly ensnares us in cycles of dependency?
The question we must confront is this: Will we bite?
The Digital Ocean of Instant Gratification
The very nature of this "instant" world is addictive and dangerous. Think about the apps, social media, and entertainment that we can access on demand with the swift imprint of our index finger. The dopamine hit from a like, a comment, or a quick scroll is near-instant and it is potent → our brains have learned to crave it. It’s a constant chase for the next rush of pleasure, often at the cost of our focus, productivity, and, most importantly, our well-being and intimate connection with other human beings.
But what happens when this constant need for immediate gratification extends beyond just our phones and into the very objects around us? As robots become more integrated into everyday life, we’ll see AI-driven systems designed not only to predict our desires but to fulfill them instantly, paving the road towards a dystopian or at the very least, inhuman future.
A New Era of Robots: Pleasure on Demand?
Imagine a future where robots, designed to be companions or helpers, are programmed to fulfill not only sexual needs but emotional ones as well. Picture robots capable of responding to our every desire, shaped to soothe our every anxiety, and programmed to offer pleasure without delay → with the unending ability of customization.
Plug in the actress, coworker, new friend on Instagram, the stranger who took a picture with you at the bar, etc…the possibilities will be endless (unless they are copyrighted, which is another topic for another day).
We’re already witnessing the early stages of this shift, with AI technologies being used to create virtual companions, whether for entertainment or companionship. But what happens when this goes further? When robots designed for pleasure or emotional fulfillment are commonplace?
Will we still seek human connection, or will we be content with relationships mediated by code and algorithms?
The question is not just “what” will be replaced, but “who” will be replaced.
The Dangers of Robot-Designed Pleasures
As we consider the future, we must ask ourselves: How does constant pleasure, especially pleasure delivered without effort, reshape our desires, our goals, and our capacity for true connection?
When our every need is catered to by a machine that knows all of our inputs and outputs (with access to the most sophisticated models of intelligence), does it leave us numb to the experiences that require effort, sacrifice, and genuine human interaction?
This is where I believe we need to draw a line: at what point does the ease of digital life, facilitated by AI and robots, become a trap that keeps us from experiencing real life and building real connections?
Will that internal fire of creation and creating life in human beings fizzle out in the exchange for “God-Like” computing power and control?
Will our souls be processed into code, to be eternal slaves to the algorithm?
Or will we take a resolute stand to remain human by embracing intentional and intimate connection with the natural world and others?
Featured Articles & Videos
Guest Article by
about the exploitation of women and children through the sex work and abortion industries. This is a deeply poignant piece.Guest Article by
on the AI Revolution that is taking place today and how it will shape our tomorrow. This renders a realistic blueprint of how our future could look if we are not vigilant.Video: This is a clip from my discussion with Ross, AKA Sir Silver Star, who I have had the pleasure of knowing and becoming friends with for the past year-and-a-half.
Ross is a software developer and also a gaming content creator. In this part of our discussion, Ross and I discuss our perspective on the oncoming dawn of AI in our lives.
Full discussion:
Building Momentum
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Practical Types: Fighting the Instant Gratification
In the context of breaking free from addictive behaviors, whether it's porn addiction, social media dependency, or other pleasure-driven habits, we must recognize that our constant craving for instant gratification can undermine our long-term goals. These behaviors thrive in an environment where quick rewards are king, and we often fail to realize that true growth and healing require time, patience, and effort.
What You Can Do:
Challenge Yourself to Delay Gratification: Practice waiting. Whether it’s choosing a longer-term project over instant rewards or stepping back from the screen to connect with people in real life, pushing back against the pull of the digital world can help you reclaim your focus.
Create Meaningful Connections: Even as AI and robots become more pervasive, remember that the most meaningful connections are still human. Build relationships based on trust, vulnerability, and shared experiences.
Set Boundaries with Technology: As AI becomes a bigger part of our lives, setting healthy boundaries will be crucial. Start small and limit your screen time, avoid devices during meals, and take regular breaks from technology to reset your mind.
Community Spotlight
Spot on advice from Evelyn → Do not be deceived and do not wait to act to remove porn from your life.
Reflection
Additional Resources
Book of the Month that I am currently reading (finishing up soon, I am a slow reader)
Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking by Laila Micklewait
Porn Free Millennial Podcast of the Week:
19. The Art of Defiance: Sir Silver Star's Approach to Living Fully & Conquering Challenges
Episode Overview: In this interview, Sir Silver Star shares his story and approach to overcoming adversity by living a fulfilling life.
Sir Silver Star is a software developer and content creator who loves video games and tech.
Please check this important conversation out and share with others!
Thank you and keep fighting the good fight!
Sir Silver Star can be found on Twitch, Youtube, TikTok, and X.
Apps to Help You Stay Focused On Your Recovery:
Freedom - Blocks distracting apps
Stay Focused - Limits your screen time
I am Sober - Tracks your sobriety down to the second
A Call to Action: Your Challenge for the Week
How will you resist the pull of instant gratification this week?
Whether it’s putting down your phone, focusing on a long-term goal, or simply spending more time with those you care about, take action and share it with our community.
Let us know in the comments what small step you’re taking to break free from the grip of quick rewards this week. I’ll include some of these responses in next week’s edition.
Closing Remarks: Hope for the Future | Reclaiming Our Focus
In the face of rapid technological advancements, it’s easy to feel a sense of alarm and dread → like the kind sparked by Aldous Huxley’s vision in A Brave New World. The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence, the rise of household robots, and the cultural addiction to instant gratification might feel like an unstoppable wave pulling us deeper into the algorithmic sea. But unlike Huxley’s dystopia, we are not powerless.
The question we must confront, “Will we bite?”, isn’t just rhetorical. It’s a call to action. We still have control over how we engage with technology and the world around us. AI and robots may offer convenience and entertainment, but they should never replace the deeply human experiences that truly fulfill us.
Just as the citizens of Brave New World became ensnared by the allure of soma, we too face the temptation of surrendering our humanity to the comfort of convenience. But we can choose differently. We can resist the pull of instant pleasure and instead pursue deeper, more meaningful growth.
The future doesn’t have to be one of addiction and disconnection. It can be one of awareness, intention, and reclaiming our focus on what truly matters.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Break Free.
Be Free.
Stay Free.
