I have truly noticed a change in how I am engaging with content nowadays, I have become more reluctant on clicking on links to articles or videos that have been made in these last few years, and when I do I started by looking for clues if it has been generated by ai. if the voice is human or generated, if the pictures are of real events or slop. I mistrust everything. and it’s exhausting. earlier slop was easier to detect nowadays it’s becoming impossible.
Because fanfic authors are not visual artists, so they lack the skill. But probably still want the visual appeal and associations that come with having a (non-stock) book cover.
I think that’s getting a bit metaphysical. I think for a lot of people it’s just the impulse to share something neat. The mere fact that you think it’s neat means you’re sharing something of yourself, just not on this soul-bearing level that you’re talking about. It’s like the difference between sharing a cute cat pic and sharing your true thoughts on your own cat whom you love and cherish.