Apocaloptimism Meets Human Nature: AI’s Promise Faces a Hard Reality

A Sonny Bunch essay argues that while AI could solve big problems, optimism about the tech hinges on a fragile belief that most people will strive for human flourishing. By comparing The AI Doc's ‘apocaloptimist’ view with the darker realities of the manosphere, the piece shows how AI's promise clashes with human nature, manipulation, and a culture of passive consumption. The author warns that deepfakes and misinformation amplify risks, and that the real challenge is not the technology itself but how people choose to use it. The takeaway is a balanced stance: hope for AI’s benefits but skepticism about societal motives and the likelihood that many will opt for distraction over production.