How Much of Your Written and Visual Consumption Is Organic?

Breaking Free from Algorithm-Driven Narratives and Imagery to Source Underrepresented Topics and Unprocessed Truths

Photo by Cottonbro Studio on Pexels

January 16, 2025 | Zurich—Switzerland

Officially, 10 percent of the biggest newsletters on Substack use AI-generated content, and well over 50 percent of the posts on LinkedIn are AI-generated. I suspect the percent is much bigger. A lot of the music on Spotify is also AI-generated. The majority of marketers use AI to generate their social media posts.

My prediction is that by the end of 2025, AI-generated content will be 90% of what we see unless we make an effort to search.

The majority of viral posts and popular accounts have not built their audience organically. In other words, they have paid for it or used various algorithms to push their content to us. For example, most of the big newsletters on Substack have also been consciously supported by the platform’s founders to market their success and attract other authors. The same is true for other platforms that have consciously supported some content creators in their monetization, because their success acts as an attractor for millions of others.

No one with a substantial following has achieved that organically, except in cases where the content is scandalous in some way. And even that is carefully planned.

A lot of the images you see are also AI-generated. I am especially appalled by the number of AI-generated images on Substack. I wonder, why would someone who appreciates authentic written words use inauthentic imagery? There is so much free imagery created by authentic artists.

I find it troubling to see so many authors who value the written word having no regard for the artists creating visual art.

I recently showed my husband a recording of two singers who not long ago won America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent, and we both agreed that they had voices many celebrity singers could only dream of. The same is happening in many different areas. The podcast with the most followers is not necessarily the best. The article with the most likes is not necessarily the most meaningful. The most famous artist is not the most talented. The same goes for social media accounts. And I’ve found it to be the same here on Substack. The most interesting articles do not always get many likes. Some of the most inspiring authors here often have just a few likes, a few dozen at best.

I also don’t see the point of following celebrities. Even if I genuinely like someone, I know that they do not write their own content. So, what’s the point? After all, if I wanted inorganic content, I could create it myself in seconds.

We all know how important it is to eat organic food, but do we realize how important it is to consume organic written content and imagery, and communicate with real human beings instead of AI-generated content?

I don’t think we really do.

Maybe some of us do, but then again, most of us do very little about it.

I find that very disturbing.

I keep remembering the movie Cell — a 2016 American science fiction horror film based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Stephen King. In the movie, when people use their cell phones, they receive a mysterious signal that instantly turns them into beings operating with a hive-mind mentality. Seeing how dependent we have become on our cell phones and the digital information we consume, I keep remembering that movie. The movie itself is pretty horrific, and I will not bother with it further, but I will post its final scene which is pretty symbolic.

So, what can you do?

Here are a few simple rules I recommend for breaking free from algorithm-driven narratives and imagery, and instead sourcing unprocessed truth

• Ask meaningful questions, and you will access meaningful content.
  Don’t like posts just because many other people liked them, and do not follow people just because many other people follow them. Also, don’t read the posts and follow the accounts that the algorithm feeds you. Search for content based on what interests or inspires you.
  

• Don’t believe in big numbers — they are mostly achieved inorganically.
  People with smaller followings often offer refreshing authenticity and depth. They tend to share content that is less curated for algorithms and more aligned with their genuine passions, values, and experiences. This sincerity creates a sense of intimacy and trust that larger accounts can never offer.
  

• Smaller accounts offer niche and unconventional perspectives.
  They focus on underrepresented topics, experiment with creative ideas, or express opinions that don’t fit neatly into popular narratives. Their work is driven by passion rather than the pressure to appeal to the broadest audience possible. Following such creators can feel like discovering a hidden gem—something unique that resonates deeply in your heart.
  

• Build real relationships with authentic creators any time when you can.
  Following creators or individuals with a smaller audience also provides the opportunity for meaningful engagement. These people are grateful to hear from you, and they will respond to comments and answer questions.
  

• Always favor authentic contact over digital content.
  Whenever possible, choose authentic contact over social media. Join groups where you can interact with real people rather than spending your time with inorganic content written by AI. Keep in mind that commentary on Social Media posts is mostly automated as well.
  

And at the end, here is a song that symbolizes for me just the opposite to that movie scene. For me, it’s represents a true creative expression. Enjoy!