Are These Feelings Real?

A publication by Al Hassan Elwan and Ruba Al-Sweel

• Reflects on the limitations of control

• The emotional resonance of machines

• The broader societal implications of our reliance on automation

Lee struggles to connect and communicate with Gene, and his longing for intimacy with him is beautifully illustrated with a ghostly Lee physically reaching out to Gene, so telepathy would allow him to say what he feels and needs to Gene in an easier and more direct way. A final attempt to get close to Gene beyond a sexual relationship, Lee and Gene’s bodies begin to merge as they embrace, and this is their final moment together.

• One craves emotional intimacy, the other feels "disembodied" with queerness - it's an alienating force

To Paik, Buddha would have to “engage the screen, the video camera and the rapid flow of information and image – the material realities of the day https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/nam-june-paik/exhibition-guide

At the start of my research, I explored how the current generation’s perception of love and intimacy is shaped and often distorted by media portrayals, impacting personal relationships. I focused on the role of social media, examining phenomena like doomscrolling, dating apps, and their effects on mental health and self-esteem. This led me to investigate the loneliness epidemic and its exploitation by corporations, which have created dystopian solutions to capitalise on this issue. For example, I looked at East Asia’s rental agencies, where individuals can rent romantic partners or even family members at an hourly rate—a practice both fascinating and deeply unsettling.

Delving deeper, I traced the roots of artificial companionship back to the first AI chatbot, Eliza, and discovered its prevalence in literature and film. Films like Her, Bladerunner 2046, and Matrix Resurrections offered rich insights, as did literary references such as Neuromancer by William Gibson and Crash by J.G. Ballard, which I plan to explore further. These investigations raised questions about the repercussions of humanity’s reliance on technology, particularly in relationships. From TikTok live-streaming to Reddit communities centred around ASMR and romantic chatbots, I examined how technology is reshaping human connection.

I also studied online friendships and relationships, noting how platforms like Reddit and WikiHow provide advice on making friends or even tracking people down—guidance that, while potentially helpful, often feels disturbing. This sparked my interest in the distinction between natural and constructed connections in contemporary culture. Are AI-driven or artificially constructed relationships of equal value to “real” ones? This question has become central to my inquiry. Moving forward, I aim to explore the societal, psychological, and relational repercussions of constructed forms of intimacy, seeking to understand how these artificial connections shape our understanding of love, companionship, and human interaction.