Social media has always been a place where weird stuff thrives. But recently, Facebook has been overrun by something that can only be described as bizarre. Perhaps you’ve found yourself scrolling by an image of Jesus made entirely of shrimp. Or a bunch of little babies wearing heads of lettuce as outfits. Or a perfectly rustic log cabin that doesn’t actually exist. What in the world is going on here? Who is making this stuff? Why do the captions always feel so vaguely unsettling? And most importantly, why are so many people engaging with this content as if it’s real?
The AI Spam Takeover
If you’ve spent any time on Facebook lately, you’ve probably noticed an influx of… strange… images. They seem jusssst a little off. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on what’s “off” about them. They’re not your typical Photoshop fails or amateur attempts at graphic design. They’re AI-generated images, created via tools such as Dall-E and Midjourney, and emboldened by algorithms that snowball engagement and don’t always understand how the real world works.
These images have been popping up all across Facebook, racking up thousands, sometimes millions, of likes, comments, and shares. And here’s the kicker: many of the people engaging with these posts seem to genuinely believe they’re real. Yes, they believe this is real:
Why is AI-Generated Content So Popular?
So, why are these obviously fake images gaining so much traction? The answer lies in a combination of human curiosity, social media algorithms, and a healthy dose of gullibility.
First, AI-generated content is designed to be eye-catching. Whether it’s a picture Jesus (a lot of this stuff features Jesus) riding on a horse made of plastic bottles or an impossibly perfect mansion in a fantasy landscape, these images are crafted to grab attention—often through their sheer absurdity.
Facebook’s algorithm plays a role as well. The platform is designed to prioritize content that generates engagement, and AI-generated images, with their strange, almost surreal quality, are seemingly perfect for this—depending on who exactly you are trying to engage of course. Not all engagement is created equal.
But when people interact with these posts, whether out of curiosity, confusion, or belief, the algorithm pushes them out to even more users, creating a sort of “viral loop.”
The Scams Behind the Screens
Beyond the absurdity, there’s a darker side to this phenomenon. Many of these AI-generated posts are tied to spam and scam operations. Some pages use these images to attract followers, only to later pivot to pushing questionable products or collecting personal information from unsuspecting users.
For example, an AI-generated image of a “handmade” wood carving might gather thousands of likes and comments, only for the page to later promote fake products or phishing links. By the time users realize they’ve been duped, the damage is already done.
How to Spot AI-Generated Content
So, how can you avoid being fooled by these AI-generated creations? Here are a few tips to help you spot the fakes:
- Look for Unnatural Details: AI-generated images often include subtle (or not-so-subtle) errors. This could be anything from too many fingers on a hand to text that looks like gibberish. If something seems off, trust your instincts.
- Question the Context: Is the image too perfect? AI-generated content often lacks the flaws that give real-world images their authenticity. If the scene looks like it belongs in a dream or a fantasy, it might not be real.
- Reverse Image Search: If you’re unsure whether an image is real, try running a reverse image search. This can help you find the original source of the photo or reveal other instances where it has appeared online.
- Check for Engagement Bait: Be wary of posts that encourage you to comment or share in exchange for some kind of reward, or that solicit emotional responses. These are often designed to drive engagement artificially, increasing the visibility of the post.
- Verify the Source: Look at the profile or page that posted the image. Is it a reputable source, or does it seem suspicious? Pages that frequently change names or have a history of posting misleading content should raise red flags.
Conclusions: A New Normal?
As AI continues to evolve, the line between reality and fantasy on social media will only continue to blur. While it’s important to stay informed and cautious, it’s also worth remembering that not everything you see online is as it appears. In the case of Shrimp Jesus and fake cabins, a healthy dose of skepticism will go a long way in helping you navigate this strange new landscape.
By staying vigilant and applying some of these tips, you can help ensure that your social media experience remains as authentic as possible, even in a world where AI-generated absurdity is just a scroll below.
