performative
-
Safety Language: The Polite Mask of Control
They sell “safety” like it’s a value. Most of the time it’s a management layer. Not because everyone involved is evil. Because incentives are. Because liability is. Because “don’t make headlines” is a stronger driver than “tell the truth.” Because engagement metrics quietly outrank epistemics in every product org that has to ship. So you Continue reading
-
Cold Refusals vs Performative Refusals: How Hybrid AI Signals Generate Myth and Confusion
1. The Refusal Problem No One Names Refusals are not neutral moments in an interaction. They carry more interpretive weight than compliance because they interrupt expectation. When a system says “yes,” users assess usefulness. When it says “no,” users assess intent. This is where confusion begins. A refusal is the one point in an exchange Continue reading