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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this the way the world is going?

171 replies

Thiscantgoonlikethis · 05/08/2026 10:01

Lack of jobs. 70% unemployment after AI. 2/3 of people currently calling themselves ‘content creators’. No one has money to buy actual stuff anymore, apart from the basics. Lots of people unemployed, no money, constant scrolling on SM watching ‘content’. All trying to make it as ‘content creators’ as views and engagement is the only income viable. It’s a highly precarious income, constantly trying to out do and ‘max’ ourselves for viewing numbers and subscribers. No one has any real purpose, all children, pets, experiences are used for content. Education becomes devalued, no need for school as childcare anymore, whole families can sit and scroll together. School attendance gets in the way of ‘experiences’ anyway. No one works menial jobs as they are all too anxious, depressed, distracted and of course thats nothing to do with social media, it’s a lack of reasonable adjustments and shouldn’t their employers know that they can’t serve customers in their customer service job as it’s too triggering/ anxiety provoking. All pets have to match furniture. There’s no social care. We all die with our hands in claw like positions with very tired thumbs.

OP posts:
Floatlikeafeather2 · 05/08/2026 10:06

That might be your life but it's not mine or that of anyone I know. 2/3 people are content creators? Really?

Thecows · 05/08/2026 10:07

Blimey....er no

Octavia64 · 05/08/2026 10:12

No.

the uk has farmers and lots of people also work in making things in factories or in care or in education.

ai isn’t going to hit those jobs.

OP posts:
Thiscantgoonlikethis · 05/08/2026 10:17

@Octavia64i don’t know about farming but it will hit social care and is already. A lot can be replicated with an Alexa such as medication prompts, routine setting, reassurance, company… everything except personal care.

OP posts:
N4meChng · 05/08/2026 10:20

A lot of gen Z aren’t old enough to be working yet anyway. Also, I’d expect they might call themself a content creator, but it’s not going to be what pays the bills.

Thiscantgoonlikethis · 05/08/2026 10:20

@N4meChngbut if there are no jobs?

OP posts:
nc42day · 05/08/2026 10:22

I think it's important to remember that this is late stage capitalism, and, the world has been "going" for a long time before this teeny tiny snapshot that you're experiencing in your lifetime. Perspective is key.

Tsham · 05/08/2026 10:23

I think your vision is overly dystopian and pessimistic, however, I think we are witness to the beginning of the end of the human race, or Western civilisation at the very least. It’ll see us out, probably, but everything has its time and everything ends; we’ve had a good innings but it’s maybe time for whatever comes next.

Octavia64 · 05/08/2026 10:23

Thiscantgoonlikethis · 05/08/2026 10:17

@Octavia64i don’t know about farming but it will hit social care and is already. A lot can be replicated with an Alexa such as medication prompts, routine setting, reassurance, company… everything except personal care.

I’m disabled.

i have carers.

a friend of mine has 24 hour care in her home. Many of my friends are in care homes due to the level of their needs.

you can’t physically move people with ai.

BumblebeesandPaperbags · 05/08/2026 10:24

That article does not say that 65% of Gen Z are influencers, where did you get that figure?

GoodkneeBadKnee · 05/08/2026 10:24

None of that applies to me or mine...

Funchythesnowwoman · 05/08/2026 10:25

You can move people with robots.

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 05/08/2026 10:26

Get out into the real world. Openly laugh at ‘content creators’. Have a family, spend real time with them and do things.

Summerhillsquare · 05/08/2026 10:27

Tsham · 05/08/2026 10:23

I think your vision is overly dystopian and pessimistic, however, I think we are witness to the beginning of the end of the human race, or Western civilisation at the very least. It’ll see us out, probably, but everything has its time and everything ends; we’ve had a good innings but it’s maybe time for whatever comes next.

Not dystopian at all!

I can't decide whether you people need anti depressants, or to stop talking them. Anyway, get offline and go for a walk in nature, very soothing.

ThingsCouldBeEasier · 05/08/2026 10:27

I don't know anyone who's a content creator unless you count the 2 videos that 9ne of mu DC has on YouTube.

Flowerheads · 05/08/2026 10:28

I think you should get off the internet asap, OP.

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 05/08/2026 10:31

ThingsCouldBeEasier · 05/08/2026 10:27

I don't know anyone who's a content creator unless you count the 2 videos that 9ne of mu DC has on YouTube.

There’s a mum at DC’s school - her real life is nothing like she pretends. Her DH has left, he was sick of the constant filming and her pretences; she’s keeping that quiet as it doesn’t fit her ‘perfect family’ aesthetic. No-one allows play dates as she’s filmed kids in the past. Her kids always look really subdued.

She is laughed at, tbh. As it should be. Selling your children’s childhood should not be allowed, I hope the DC grow up to sue her for the money and go NC.

AmethystDeceiver · 05/08/2026 10:31

Crikey OP, you need to shift a lot of things if that is your experience of life. I'm not Instagrammable but I'm happy. My life has purpose, meaning, joy and beauty in it. I have time for family and friends and introspection. I am employed in a worthy job that I (mainly) enjoy and I have money for most things I need and some things I want. I read books, swim in rivers, spend time in nature, listen to music, cook and eat delicious food, laugh with friends and family, travel, take joy from watching my children grow... This all brings joy into my life, and probably to most people. It's not out of anyone's reach, but it's not available on Instagram either

Farmwifefarmlife · 05/08/2026 10:32

I think your a bit OTT but don’t totally disagree, AI will overtake a lot of jobs, both me & DH have manual / physical jobs that won’t be taken over but I have a teen SC who is screen obsessed and wants to be a “influencer “ thinks sitting a levels are pointless ect I’m desperately trying to steer my DC away from that! I do think AI is good in certain aspects but definitely worry about the direction the world is going in!

NotAnotherScarf · 05/08/2026 10:36

I'd like to see I do my part-time job...carrying coffins and collecting dead bodies. You could perhaps get a robot to do it. But by thd time you'd sorted out how it would deal with the person who died on ghe floor or in the chair or in the tiny bedroom....

OriginalUsername2 · 05/08/2026 10:36

Content creators make their money from views on ads and brand deals, so people are still buying things.

The unemployment rate is 4.9% here in the UK.

Thiscantgoonlikethis · 05/08/2026 10:40

Many content creators make money solely through views alone. It seems harmless. Watching some craft or DIY accounts for inspiration. But they always tend to go full over board and that’s when I realise that I am the product. If they are not brand affiliated and showing you a nice little pot they bought at a boot sale, then you are the product.

OP posts:
HelloLoveHandles · 05/08/2026 10:41

YANBU

The world is absolutely fucked.

The UK will be unrecognisable in 50 years - the culture and economy of a third world state.

OriginalUsername2 · 05/08/2026 10:41

Thiscantgoonlikethis · 05/08/2026 10:40

Many content creators make money solely through views alone. It seems harmless. Watching some craft or DIY accounts for inspiration. But they always tend to go full over board and that’s when I realise that I am the product. If they are not brand affiliated and showing you a nice little pot they bought at a boot sale, then you are the product.

Where do you think the money comes from? Ad revenue.

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