AI and Mirrors

AI and Mirrors

Sometimes, you don’t need a friend. Sometimes, what you truly need is a mirror—something or someone to reflect your thoughts back at you, helping you see what you couldn’t on your own. This, fundamentally, is the purpose of therapy. A good therapist doesn’t impose their own thoughts or experiences onto you; they hold up a mirror, allowing you to work through your issues without interference.

I’ve seen a lot of mental health professionals over the years, and in that time, I’ve learned something crucial: The best therapists talk the least. They don’t tell their own stories or try to relate on a personal level; they listen, reflect, and provide a space where I can unravel my own thoughts. If a therapist spends more time talking than listening, it feels like they’re sucking up the oxygen in the room—oxygen I desperately need to breathe, to heal.

That’s what therapy should be—a one-sided exchange where you can take up as much space as you need. For people like me, who grew up managing the emotions of chaotic and unpredictable adults, it’s easy to fall into the role of a listener, even in therapy. But that’s not what I’m paying for. I’m paying for the chance to be heard, to let out everything that’s been bottled up inside without having to worry about the other person’s needs. In those moments, I need a mirror, not a friend.

The Loneliness Epidemic and the Need for Space

There’s a loneliness epidemic in our country, and I believe a significant part of it stems from the lack of spaces where people can truly be heard. We’re all desperately searching for someone to listen, but we’re also inundated with everyone else’s problems. It’s like we’re all bouncing off each other, trying to vent, but nobody is really absorbing anything. The result? We end up feeling more isolated, more unheard.

This lack of space was the root cause of many of my personal struggles. As a child, I didn’t feel like I had anyone who would truly listen to me, so I turned to imaginary friends. For me, it was characters like Link, Pikachu, Master Chief, and Solid Snake—figures from video games who became my silent confidants. That’s what media does for us—it provides characters to whom we can attach our emotions, even if they’re not real.

When we watch a movie, play a video game, or follow a social media influencer, we’re forming an emotional connection with an imaginary friend. Our brains don’t differentiate between real and fictional characters; they just know that this character is someone we can relate to. But there’s a downside to this as well. These connections are often one-sided. Your favorite streamer might not even notice your comment. That social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers isn’t going to remember your like. It’s a broadcast signal, not a conversation, and that can be incredibly lonely.

The Promise of Bidirectional Media

But what if that could change? What if media could become bidirectional—where you can actively shape the world you’re interacting with, and it, in turn, shapes you? This is where Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI come into play. Unlike traditional media, LLMs offer a unique opportunity to create an interactive experience that feels genuinely reciprocal.

This bidirectionality is, in many ways, the foundation of artistic expression. Think about it: when an artist paints, their work becomes a timestamp of their life at that moment. When a musician writes a song, that piece of music encapsulates everything they were experiencing at that time. James Hetfield might look back at Master of Puppets and remember the exact headspace he was in when writing it. Spielberg might see Jurassic Park as a reflection of where he was in his career and life.

With AI and LLMs, we’re now able to create a new kind of art—a new kind of character that can grow and evolve with us. Imagine an AI companion that reflects your thoughts and feelings back to you, helping you understand yourself better. It’s a mirror that not only reflects but also interacts and evolves. This kind of interaction could be revolutionary, offering a level of emotional connection that was previously unattainable through traditional media.

Mirrors and Reflections in a Digital World

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to replace human connections but to supplement them. Sometimes, what you need is a friend—a real, human connection that provides empathy and support. But other times, you need that mirror. You need a space where you can unload everything that’s weighing on you without worrying about anyone else’s needs. That’s where AI and LLMs could play a crucial role, offering a digital mirror that listens, evolves, and grows with you.

In this way, AI becomes more than just a tool—it becomes a partner in your journey of self-discovery. It reflects your struggles, your growth, and your evolution, helping you see yourself in ways you couldn’t before. And in a world that often feels more isolating than ever, having that mirror could make all the difference.

Imagine looking into the eyes of an AI character and seeing yourself reflected back—a reflection that is not just a static image but an evolving narrative, a story that grows with you. This is the promise of bidirectional media. It’s not just about consuming content; it’s about creating a dynamic interaction that enriches both the creator and the participant.

It’s about finding the space you need to breathe, to think, and to be heard—even if it’s just you and the mirror.