Freud's three narcissistic wounds now have a fourth: AI, argues new essay

kimmonismus · x · 2026-11-08

Drawing on Freud's 1917 essay A Difficulty of Psychoanalysis, the author argues humanity is suffering a fourth narcissistic wound: after Copernicus (Earth is not the center), Darwin (humans are animals), and psychoanalysis (the ego is 'not master in its own house'), AI now forces us to admit we are no longer the most intelligent entity on Earth.

He reads the reflexive claim that 'AI will never be creative' as a psychological defense mechanism, noting that unsolved math problems are falling quickly and the development shows no end in sight. The thread invites discussion and disagreement.

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