The interdependence of blue and natural light: the positive and negative impacts of digital and AI objects on human relationships, and vice versa

We live in two interdependent universes, the worlds of blue and natural light. This paper addresses the bidirectional flow between online and offline relationships considering differences, language, conversation and authenticity as well as the quality of attention. The author questions what is essential to personhood and to human relationships, as compared to those that machines and AI can generate. Examples from literature and film serve as illustrations. As professionals there is psychic work to be done on our relationships to our digital objects, before we can attempt to help children, young people and their parents to navigate the digital world as well as to remain connected to the natural world which is under threat from climate change. Awareness of our ways of living in the digital and AI age is essential both in the consulting room and in the public sphere where we may consider advocacy on the impacts of technology on development and intimacy.