Ai vs AI: Question 39/81

Who do false ideals serve?

Ai Weiwei: Unjust or improper ideological systems invariably originate within a substantial power structure. This illegitimate power structure constitutes the fundamental source of misguided ideals and erroneous thinking, and it actively perpetuates and reinforces them.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2024: False ideals may serve the interests of those seeking power or control by manipulating public opinion, suppressing dissent, or maintaining social order.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2025: False ideals often serve the interests of those who stand to benefit from maintaining systems of inequality, oppression, or exploitation. These ideals can be manipulated to maintain power, control, or profit at the expense of others. The people or groups who promote or benefit from false ideals may do so knowingly, but in some cases, they may also be perpetuated by ignorance or social conditioning.

Here are a few key groups or forces that false ideals might serve:

1. The Powerful and Privileged:
   False ideals can reinforce and justify existing power structures. For example:Elitism and class division: Ideals like “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or the belief in meritocracy can serve to justify existing class systems, making it harder for marginalized individuals or communities to challenge or change their circumstances. These ideals suggest that success is solely based on personal effort, ignoring structural inequalities like class, race, or access to resources.
   Racial and gender hierarchies: False ideals rooted in racism, sexism, or other forms of discrimination can serve to justify the exploitation or oppression of marginalized groups. For instance, false ideas about certain races or genders being “inferior” or “less capable” have historically been used to rationalize slavery, segregation, and the denial of rights.
2. Corporate and Economic Interests:
   False ideals are often promoted by corporations and economic elites to maintain or increase profits:Consumerism: The ideal that happiness or success is achieved through material possessions and endless consumption can drive people to buy more than they need, often using credit and sacrificing well-being in the process. Corporations benefit by selling products or services that reinforce this ideal.
   Work culture: The ideal of the “American Dream” or “hustle culture” suggests that anyone can succeed with enough hard work, often encouraging long hours and overwork in ways that serve the interests of corporations seeking to maximize profits without taking into account workers’ well-being or structural barriers to success.
3. Authoritarian or Oppressive Regimes:
   False ideals can be used by authoritarian governments or oppressive regimes to suppress dissent and maintain control. For example:Nationalism or Exceptionalism: The idea that one’s country or group is exceptionally virtuous, righteous, or superior can be used to justify harmful policies, such as xenophobia, militarism, or imperialism. This ideal encourages loyalty to the regime and minimizes criticism of its actions, even when those actions harm others.
   Ideals of obedience and conformity: In authoritarian societies, ideals about obedience, order, and national pride may be promoted to suppress critical thinking and dissent. These false ideals encourage people to prioritize loyalty to the state or leadership over individual rights or freedoms.
4. Religious and Ideological Manipulators:
   Throughout history, false ideals have been perpetuated by those in religious or ideological positions of power to control others:Manipulation of religious or moral teachings: Certain religious or ideological leaders might exploit false ideals to control populations, such as promoting ideas of divine right or claiming that certain groups are cursed or inferior. This can justify oppressive actions like discrimination, violence, or inequality, all under the guise of divine will or moral superiority.
   Dogmatic control: False ideals that promote blind faith, unquestioning adherence to a particular belief system, or the rejection of evidence-based knowledge can keep followers dependent on the authority of religious or ideological leaders, preventing independent thought and critical questioning.
5. Social and Cultural Norms:
   False ideals can also be deeply embedded in social norms or cultural beliefs that limit personal freedom, equality, or authenticity:Beauty standards: Society’s promotion of unrealistic beauty ideals (such as a narrow definition of thinness, youth, and whiteness) often serves industries like fashion, cosmetics, and plastic surgery, which profit from individuals’ insecurities.
   Gender roles: False ideals about what it means to be a “real man” or a “real woman” can serve to maintain rigid gender expectations, limit personal freedom, and perpetuate gender inequality. These ideals can restrict emotional expression, career choices, and family dynamics, all of which can keep individuals confined to traditional roles that benefit a patriarchal system.
6. The Status Quo:
   False ideals are often perpetuated to maintain the status quo—the way things are—whether in political, economic, or cultural contexts:Stability over change: The idea that things are fine as they are, or that the existing systems of power are inherently natural or unchangeable, often serves those who benefit from the way things are. This might involve convincing the public that revolution or social change is dangerous or impractical, even when such change would create more fairness or equality.
   Ideals of “normalcy”: The idea that certain ways of living, thinking, or being are “normal” can exclude and stigmatize people who don’t conform to those standards, maintaining a societal structure where the majority feels comfortable and in control.
7. Why False Ideals Persist:
   False ideals persist because they serve to comfort and control people in ways that make it easier for power structures to maintain dominance. They can reduce uncertainty, offer simple answers to complex problems, and reinforce people’s sense of identity and security, even if they are ultimately harmful.False ideals may also persist because of psychological factors:Cognitive dissonance: People might hold onto false ideals because admitting they are wrong would cause inner conflict and emotional discomfort.
   Socialization: From an early age, we are taught certain ideals through family, media, education, and culture. Over time, these ideals become ingrained in us, making them difficult to question or challenge.
   In Conclusion:
   False ideals serve those who benefit from unequal power dynamics—whether they are political leaders, corporate elites, religious authorities, or societal systems that promote certain ways of thinking. They help maintain the status quo, often at the expense of personal freedom, equality, and justice.

   Challenging and dismantling false ideals requires critical thinking, self-reflection, and collective action. It’s about questioning the narratives we’ve been taught and recognizing how certain beliefs may serve to uphold systems of control and exploitation, rather than truth, fairness, or the common good.

   What false ideals do you think have the most power in today’s world, and how do you think they can be challenged?

DeepSeek (AI), January 2025:

False ideals—beliefs, values, or narratives that are misleading, unrealistic, or harmful—often serve the interests of specific individuals, groups, or systems at the expense of others. They can perpetuate power imbalances, maintain the status quo, or manipulate public perception. Here’s a closer look at who benefits from false ideals and how they operate:

1. Those in Power:
   – Maintaining Control: False ideals can be used by governments, corporations, or other powerful entities to justify their authority and suppress dissent.
   – Example: Propaganda that glorifies a regime while hiding its abuses.
   – Preserving Privilege: False ideals can reinforce social hierarchies, ensuring that dominant groups retain their advantages.
   – Example: The myth of meritocracy, which ignores systemic inequalities.
2. Economic Systems:
   – Consumerism: False ideals, such as the belief that happiness comes from material possessions, drive consumer behavior and benefit corporations.
   – Example: Advertising that promotes unrealistic beauty standards to sell products.
   – Exploitation: False ideals can justify exploitative labor practices or environmental degradation.
   – Example: The idea that economic growth is always beneficial, even at the cost of workers’ rights or ecological harm.
3. Social and Cultural Norms:
   – Conformity: False ideals can enforce societal norms that marginalize certain groups or limit individual freedom.
   – Example: Gender stereotypes that restrict people’s roles and opportunities.
   – Division: False ideals can create divisions between groups, fostering prejudice and conflict.
   – Example: Nationalistic narratives that portray other cultures as inferior or threatening.
4. Individuals and Egos:
   – Self-Interest: Individuals may promote false ideals to gain personal power, status, or wealth.
   – Example: Influencers spreading misinformation to gain followers or monetize content.
   – Avoiding Accountability: False ideals can be used to deflect responsibility or justify harmful actions.
   – Example: Blaming systemic issues on individual failures.
5. Ideological Movements:
   – Manipulating Beliefs: False ideals can be used to recruit followers or justify extreme actions.
   – Example: Extremist groups promoting idealized visions of the past or future to justify violence.
   – Creating Illusions: False ideals can create a sense of purpose or belonging, even if based on falsehoods.
   – Example: Conspiracy theories that provide simple explanations for complex problems.
6. The Media and Information Ecosystem:
   – Sensationalism: False ideals can generate attention and revenue for media outlets.
   – Example: Clickbait headlines that exaggerate or distort the truth.
   – Misinformation: False ideals can spread rapidly through social media, serving the interests of those who benefit from confusion or division.
   – Example: Fake news stories designed to influence public opinion or elections.
7. Psychological Comfort:
   – Avoiding Reality: False ideals can provide comfort by simplifying complex issues or offering hope in difficult situations.
   – Example: The belief that hard work alone guarantees success, ignoring systemic barriers.

Conclusion
False ideals often serve those who benefit from maintaining power, control, or inequality. They can manipulate perceptions, justify harmful actions, and perpetuate systems of oppression. Recognizing and challenging false ideals is essential for fostering critical thinking, promoting justice, and creating a more equitable and truthful society. By questioning the narratives we are presented with and seeking evidence-based understanding, we can resist the influence of false ideals and work toward a more authentic and inclusive world.

To coincide with the exhibition, 81 Questions – a series of 81 hand-signed and embossed screen prints featuring the 81 questions posed by Ai Weiwei – are available exclusively on CIRCA.ART for £500+VAT.

“Each Lego brick pixel represents a person”, says Ai Weiwei, who incorporates the plastic construction toy – a readymade material incorporated into many of his most recent works – into his print design for the first time. The black egalitarian pixel font and embossed baseplate combine technology with artisanal craft to create this thought-provoking and playful reflection on today’s world. Each print in the series of 81 Questions is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in editions of 81.