The impact of Robots and AI in the society is a subject of debate, particularly on how realistic they should be to not make us feel uncomfortable. This dilemma lays at the core of the uncanny valley makeup trend that has gained popularity on TikTok.
This unsettling trend showcases individuals using makeup to transform themselves into hyper-realistic bots, complete with pale skin, vacant eyes, and slightly distorted features. The eerie videos set against lively music have attracted a large audience on the platform, prompting discussion on the discomfort caused by encountering human-like but not entirely authentic beings. This emotional response is known as the uncanny valley effect.
While society generally embraces the humanization of artificial objects, this sentiment takes a different turn when the resemblance to reality becomes too striking for our brains to accept. The concept of the uncanny valley extends beyond robots to encompass computer graphics in gaming and movies, as well as human-like characters in popular media.
Psychologists have proposed various theories to explain why hyper-realistic robots and computer-generated characters instill fear within individuals. Some suggest that our aversion is rooted in an evolutionary instinct to avoid danger, triggered by the resemblance of humanoid robots to deceased or decaying human bodies. Another theory, known as mortality salience, posits that the uncanny appearance of robots serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death, inducing fear in the viewer.
First introduced by Masahiro Mori in 1970, the uncanny valley concept is illustrated by a graph charting the affinity to human likeness. This graph depicts a peak in fondness for human-like traits that tapers quickly, creating a valley and giving rise to the term ‘uncanny valley’.
Nevertheless, recent research suggests that the uncanny valley may no longer hold the same power over us as it once did. A study conducted by a team of technology and AI researchers found that participants had positive experiences with human-realistic avatars, indicating a potential shift away from the uncanny valley effect.
According to one of the researchers, Mike Seymour, advancements in technology, such as improved graphics and machine learning, have contributed to this change. Furthermore, concerns surrounding hyper-realistic characters are now more focused on societal and legal implications rather than the uncanny valley effect.
In summary, the uncanny valley makeup trend on TikTok has stimulated meaningful discourse regarding our evolving interaction with hyper-realistic characters and robots. As technology continues to progress, it is plausible that the uncanny valley effect may become obsolete. However, for now, it remains an intriguing and somewhat perturbing phenomenon in the realm of AI and robotics.
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