The ChatGPT Caricature Trend and Today’s American Culture
On a recent day, like many of you, I opened the Facebook app only to discover that my feed was inundated with ChatGPT caricatures of my friends, some of whom were teachers, organization leaders, performers, and even priests. Since then, this trend has taken over timelines of social media citizens across America, and truthfully, beyond. While reflecting on this latest trend, the thoughts of what it says about American culture sparked inside my mind, so here are cultural phenomena I believe this trend highlights.
We love a good caricature portrait.
Until the advent of AI, the chance to be captured in caricatures was typically limited to bustling cities, parks, fairs, and theme parks, where caricature artists offered their talents. There is a sense of nostalgia related to this type of art. It serves as a souvenir for a moment we want to remember, most usually with people we want to remember. There is also a comedic element to this type of portrait art. With disproportionate faces, huge smiles, and larger-than-life eyes, we can’t help but laugh when we see ourselves through the eyes and artistry of the caricature artist, even if the “artist” is now a machine that can only regenerate, not truly create.
We are a culture that deeply values identity.
Let’s face it. We want to be seen for our individual, unique identity. American culture is known around the world as a culture of branding and influencers. The perception of who we are to the world around us matters to us. Persona encompasses our looks, our vocation, our values and beliefs, our family and societal roles, as well as our affinities and hobbies. We innately compartmentalize by these categories. For good or bad, it’s the way we understand ourselves and others. The information that ChatGPT receives is often related to different parts of our lives, from recipes to planning routines and searching for the most comfortable and stylish pair of new sneakers within our budget. That information is a reflection of what we value and think about. The allure of witnessing the machine’s perception of us and our lives is captivating, driven by our innate (God-given) desire to be seen and known. To see our own unique caricature alongside our friends is exciting and makes us feel both distinguished and a part of a community.
We are a curious people who love to dream.
As curious dreamers, we desire to see the idealized version of ourselves and our lives. We desire to see a glimpse of a reality that is more beautiful than the one we know. The American dream is based on building something that does not yet exist. We, the human race, were made from and for heaven, and our desire for something greater than our current reality is a reflection of this truth. ChatGPT caricatures represent the ideal version of who we are and the many things that make up our daily life experience. We are curious to see a romanticized perception of us and our work, and we’re not afraid to risk privacy for the opportunity to take part in this trend. Although it may not align one to one with the truth of reality, it’s something to which we lift our eyes and see more than what’s in front of us.
Aside from the ethical debates surrounding AI, I believe there’s something we can appreciate about this cultural moment. We can appreciate the human need to bring something unique to this world and lead a life that when pictured, makes us smile. This is a nature that I believe was given by God. Americans, let’s continue to be curious people who love to dream for a better tomorrow. We were made for this. We were made to create and envision a world that is better than today’s world. Finally, the next time we pass a caricature artist, let’s pause, let them capture their perception of us, and take the souvenir home. After our appreciation for caricatures has been ignited or rekindled, the best thing we can do is support artists using their talent to bring fun and creativity to this world.