The dead internet theory is an online conspiracy theory that suggests the internet is now mainly composed of bot activity and automatically generated content manipulated by algorithmic curation, marginalizing organic human activity. Proponents of the theory believe that intelligent bots have been intentionally created to manipulate algorithms and boost search results, ultimately manipulating consumers. Some proponents also accuse government agencies of using bots to manipulate public perception. The theory gained traction due to observed phenomena such as increased bot traffic, but the idea that it is a coordinated psyop is described as a “paranoid fantasy,” even though there are legitimate criticisms involving bot traffic and the integrity of the internet
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The theory emerged from online forums such as 4chan and Wizardchan in the late 2010s or early 2020s, and it has gained coverage on various YouTube channels and online communities, helping to advance the idea into mainstream discourse
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As AI takes over more content, the dead internet theory predicted that the internet may have died, and the line between humans and bots is becoming more blurred. Some experts predict that much of the internet will be generated by AI soon, raising questions about authenticity and humanity online
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The theory has been discussed in various online communities, and while some believe it to be a legitimate concern, others view it as a conspiracy theory. The theory questions the changes in the structure and content of the internet since 2016, raising concerns about the prevalence of bot activity and the replacement of creativity with automated culture
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