[meristohm]

From M-W dictionary: Fad : a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : CRAZE

Books are also a fad, if "for a time" stretches across lifetimes; advanced technology that requires some infrastructure, dependent on a complex system, but not nearly as much as computers do, nevermind AI, and which is popular amongst a subset of people. Ignore earth-systems collapse and the underlying technology that keeps these fads afloat will cease to function.

Computers are a cool diversion but not essential for human "survival and thrival", nor is our widespread embracing of the technology without consequences for life on earth.

I would far rather talk with other biased humans than the regurgitations of some biased amalgam-bot made with stolen data, even if it can act syncretically. My bias is as a high-school science teacher who likes helping students gain understanding about the world, and hopefully wisdom, a sense of awe and responsibility, and their own sense of purpose.