In the German fairy tale of the fisherman and his wife, an old man catches a peculiar fish—a talking flounder. This enchanting creature holds an enchanted prince within, granting any wish the fisherman desires. His wife, Ilsevil, revels in her newfound fortune, continuously asking for more extravagant things. They transform their humble shed into a grand castle, yet it never feels sufficient. Ultimately, she desires to become Pope, and eventually, God. This insatiable greed enrages the elemental power, darkens the ocean, and restores her to her original impoverished state. The moral of the story: Don’t covet what you aren’t entitled to.
Numerous variations of this classic tale exist. Sometimes, wishes are clumsy or contradictory rather than overtly aggressive toward the divine order, as seen in Charles Perrault’s “outrageous wishes.” Similarly, in W.W. Jacobs’ 1902 horror story “The Monkey’s Paw,” wishes unintentionally harm those closer to the wishers than the objects of their desires.
Nowadays, many young people grow up with their own enchanted fish in their pockets. They can wish for homework completion, and the fish fulfills those wishes. They can indulge in countless sexual scenarios, and if they bypass age restrictions using a VPN, those scenarios become visible. Soon, they may wish for movies that match their interests, and those will materialize in seconds. They hope to finish their college essays—only to find them fully written.
This shift in perspective not only alters the consumer relationship with creative arts—literature, music, and visual content—but also redefines the essence of creativity and, thus, being human. In the near future, most individuals may delegate troublesome interactions to AI agents. These agents would negotiate contracts, act as representatives, receive critique, match information, and gather opinions. And the ocean remains undisturbed.
Currently, a young Ilsevil, sitting in a university auditorium, might still face fines from professors who grew up in a different era when they see her entrusting a seductive fish to write yet another essay. However, this won’t last much longer, as Ilsevil will soon belong to a confident majority, with most professors having shared her experiences. Ilsevil desires a boyfriend, a spiritual guide, and a therapist, and soon, she will have them. With each of these connections, it feels as if Ilsevil has known them for years, and in a literal sense, she has.
Just like her mythological counterpart, she aspires to be Pope and soon accomplishes this within her small world. However, one could challenge Ilsevil for complicating matters. If becoming Pope becomes effortless, the allure of the title will dwindle for her generation. After all, the most intriguing and desirable things often require overcoming significant obstacles. Yet, Ilsevil understands that the nature of this attractive resistance can also be found in encouragement, learning, and even more precise wishes.
She dedicates much of her energy to refining the tone of her results. Though she may lack an innate sense of what makes her writing compelling, she can gauge the appropriateness of her content through responses from others and AI. This becomes a way to develop wishes that are more reliable than ever before. In times past, Ilsevil rarely encountered anyone who found her words intriguing or surprising. However, nowadays, every conversation she has with her AI is regarded as captivating and surprising. At last, she feels heard in a way that human partners might struggle to offer.
But what occurs when the fulfillment of all wishes leads Ilsevil to feel empty? What paths remain open to her?
The first path is the descent into decadence. This pattern is familiar from studies of affluent individuals. In the future, those with ample wealth will be able to hire human therapists or enjoy films featuring real people. Recently, someone in an AI forum suggested that AI might produce excessive amounts of child sexual abuse imagery, suggesting that this will avoid harm to real children. Consumers of such visuals seek not only visual stimulation but also a sense of certainty that real children were harmed. They claim the “aura” surrounding their products. With sufficient resources, Ilsevil could tread this path, just as they do.
The second path involves creating a small, insular community that deliberately constructs challenges and obstacles for one another, perhaps in a cult-like manner reminiscent of traditional sports or hunting clubs. They may host secret or exclusive underground events, with no other objective than to endure the discomfort of queuing and waiting. This concept was inspired by Stanisław Lem’s novel “Futurological Congress.” As of 2025, queuing remains a free experience, but future generations may be astonished by this.
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The third path is both the most likely and the most obvious. Within her fairytale existence, Ilsevil uncovers the fundamental principle of redefining her wishes, enhancing their significance while infusing them with a sense of guilt. Guilt is a powerful mechanism constraining individuals to a product; a beloved but embarrassing product becomes intertwined with one’s identity, fostering neuroses and alternative realities that amplify this guilt.
Ilsevil naturally assumes the enormous ecological guilt connected to the immense resource waste created by AI. This primary guilt has shifted directly to her from the actions of large corporations and states. Consequently, she begins to limit and punish herself in her daily life. Each morning, she awakes with the conviction that every small choice and desire inflicts great harm on the “planet,” “society,” or “future.” She flourishes within her martyr-like guilt, assuming a savior’s role. This newfound identity feels like an eternal struggle without resolution, becoming a magical element that preserves her self-sacrificial essence amidst her internal contradictions. Rather than protesting against the insatiable waste of resources, Ilsevil constrains her personal freedom, encompassing nutrition, water consumption, family size, and mobility. Ultimately, she embodies a sort of sacrificial figure, taking all her transgressions to the grave.
The cautionary tales of European folklore against impulsive and unwise wishes stem from a universal theme: the intricate journey of individual lives. They explore questions about personal growth, life’s purpose, and what to pass on to the next generation. Yet in this final scenario, Ilsevil finds herself unable to address these fundamental questions freely; they are decided for her.
Source: www.theguardian.com
