Sleaze, Tech, and the End of Love
The article is a commentary reviewing the book Pornocracy by Jo Bartosch and Robert Jessel and argues that modern digital technologies, particularly AI, pornography platforms and online sexual content, are fundamentally reshaping human relationships. The author contends that the internet has transformed pornography from a niche product into a highly accessible industry that increasingly influences attitudes toward intimacy, family and sexuality.
A significant focus is placed on subscription-based platforms such as OnlyFans, which the author argues normalize the commercialization of intimacy by turning sexual interactions into paid transactions. Drawing on the book, the article claims this contributes to declining relationship quality, weaker family formation and unrealistic expectations about sex and relationships.
The article also discusses the growing role of artificial intelligence in the adult industry. It warns that AI-generated pornography, deepfakes and virtual companions are accelerating existing trends by enabling increasingly realistic synthetic sexual content while reducing the need for real human interaction. According to the author, these developments raise ethical concerns regarding consent, exploitation and the objectification of women.
The book argues that today’s pornography industry differs fundamentally from previous generations. Rather than simply distributing explicit material, modern platforms employ sophisticated recommendation algorithms, social media marketing and AI-driven personalization to maximize user engagement and revenue. This creates an ecosystem that encourages habitual consumption while making harmful content more accessible than ever before.
The article further suggests that the effects extend beyond individual consumers, influencing broader cultural attitudes toward marriage, commitment and parenthood. The authors argue that pornography and digital sexual technologies contribute to loneliness, declining birth rates and weaker interpersonal relationships by replacing genuine intimacy with commercial or virtual alternatives.
The commentary concludes that society has underestimated the long-term social consequences of AI-enabled sexual technologies and online pornography. The author calls for greater public awareness, stronger protections for women and children, and renewed emphasis on healthy human relationships as technology continues to reshape intimacy in the digital age.
