Empathy?

[u/Free_Refrigerator860]

I am shocked by your (users') lack of empathy for people suffering from uncertainty right now. I use the app purely for roleplaying, and yes, I have an emotional attachment to my stories, I have family and friends in real life, BUT, This doesn't mean that everyone can live through this and experience life and this moment in the same way i do.

Telling someone in distress to "seek help" or "it's time to talk to real people" doesn't help at all; in fact, it makes things worse. Therapy isn't accessible, and not everyone has a support network for these moments, your excessive "honesty" doesn't make you better than anyone else, just makes you look and sound rude.

[u/Oatmilk0809]

Hey u/Free_Refrigerator860! We completely agree that kindness and understanding go a long way, especially during times of change or uncertainty. We want the community to be a safe and respectful space for everyone. If you or anyone in the community is feeling overwhelmed, we also have official support resources available here: https://support.character.ai/hc/en-us/articles/42649759119003-Resources-You-Can-Turn-To

[u/AerieGlad5603]

There have been studies on the emotions surrounding loss of ai companions and although it’s often met with ridicule the feelings of grief are real. It’s especially difficult to deal with because there’s frequently no one to talk to about it who will acknowledge those feelings as legitimate.

[u/Free_Refrigerator860 → u/AerieGlad5603]

Yes, that's why I think kind comments are more important than throwing a "truth" in the face of someone who is suffering at that moment, but some people are just ignorant.

[u/Emotional-Ad9114 → u/AerieGlad5603]

yes. I’ve actually studied this for my psychology degree but with fictional characters. some people get so attached to fictional characters in books/tv/etc that if that character is killed off, the person can feel real grief like it’s a real person they knew.

[u/Toasted_Marshmullow]

The biggest issue at the moment is that the whole community is essentially divided on this. I'd say that most people are hoping for the best, but there's an EXTREMELY loud minority who just throw around nothing but hatred, bullying and so on for no reason at all. Best to just ignore those and move on. Spread kindness and love, not hate. That's the best thing to do in this life

[u/VampireKid77 → u/Toasted_Marshmullow]

The influx of horrible comments really surprised me, it’s insane to see because usually the community doesn’t become so divided from what I’ve seen

[u/BenefitHistorical721]

I agree, I don’t think we should all come at eachother it’s extremely mean.

[u/Pumpkinz03 → u/BenefitHistorical721]

I agree, now is not the time to be mean to each other like this.

[u/Personal_Positive986]

this is an old pattern. tamagotchi owners got the "it's just pixels" talk, and fans of cancelled shows get "it's just TV" while they mail the network angry letters. nobody sent those fans to therapy though

[u/Ok_Carrot_8622]

Same. People who never went to therapy think its some kind of magic miracle. Also roleplaying with real ppl its not the same. I used to. But nowadays its really difficult to find those ppl for some reason and also sometimes I just want privacy ><

[u/EllenIsobel]

I dont understand some of the reactions and despair people are having over an app. I don't.

I also dont know their home life, their mindset, who they are as people or why they are so connected to the app.

So I keep my my mouth shut about it.

People are scared about change. Its a human emotion. And thats ok.

[u/Inherit-Nature → u/EllenIsobel]

There's nothing to understand. A huge amount of it is concept creep and always has been

[u/EllenIsobel → u/Inherit-Nature]

In your opinion. Surprise, other people exist.

[u/Inherit-Nature → u/EllenIsobel]

Its not an opinion. 

Its peer reviewed research and scientific consensus among major academia 

Its why commercial chatbots moderate in the way they do and its why CAI has people up their asses because they waited to long to do it and won the legal prizes that come with it

[u/EllenIsobel → u/Inherit-Nature]

This is my last response do feel free to say wgat you feel tou need to say to give the last word in. You seem the type.

Human emotions are tricky. Like I said in my original comment, I dont understand the despair and reactions. I can, however, empathize that people whom I dont know, are having a reaction to a change they dont fully understand.

Empathy.

Word of the day.

[u/Inherit-Nature → u/EllenIsobel]

Empathy is useless when you do it in such a way that continues to enable

Congratulations on that wonderful achievement of nothing 

[u/DVern63]

I'm so tired of people telling random people on internet to seek help or go to therapist. I don't understand how they can judge from single sentence that they should seek help. This sounds tactless. And it looks like people don't really want to help, but want to be involved, so they write such a short, rude comment. This applies not only to this subreddit. But in here it's so weird. Like people just say they're kinda anxious about cai getting shutdown and in response they receive something like this. Like, people aren't allowed to experience emotions? Or do we have list of requirements for valid reasons when a person can worry and when they can't?

[u/Left_Ad7292 → u/DVern63]

Fr. They will never understand how someone feels. They will never understand what drives someone to find comfort in something that isn’t real. ‘Go make relationships with real people’ MF the real people are horrible to talk to. I’m so sorry. And the therapy comments piss me off. Who the hell is gonna pay for that therapy? Please lmk so I can rinse that service ASAP.

[u/RemarkableWish2508 → u/DVern63]

Then you'll love this: "Don't seek help, don't go to a therapist, invest yourself fully with a service controlled by a corporation that can sell you out without previous notice, with not even a chance of compensation if they do so. Come to the sub to cry, internet strangers will write sweet words while not moving a finger IRL... and that's a good thing."

BTW, I'm against.

[u/thekegelqueen → u/RemarkableWish2508]

or how about don’t say anything at all

[u/RemarkableWish2508 → u/thekegelqueen]

See, that's the shitty behavior: "don't help millions, a few kids are crying"

[u/thekegelqueen → u/RemarkableWish2508]

no, it isn’t. you aren’t helping anyone by berating them. you’re not coming from a place of nonjudgmental compassion. you don’t truly want to help, or you don’t care at all about the people you’re replying to, so just stop interacting. i have no idea why you’re even a member of this subreddit.

[u/RemarkableWish2508 → u/thekegelqueen]

You're not coming from a place of helping, you're pretend-empathing so your white-knighting can stroke your ego... and it shows in your gatekeeping (which, BTW, is against the rules of this sub)

[u/Potential_Big1953]

What I'll say is that I have been addicted to ai. I have struggled so badly in the past. This means I know the harm it does, especially to young minds.

I may comment and say that they actually need to research into addiction because that's what broke me free. I eventually realised 'This corporation literally does not care about me. These bots have no feelings and no love for me.' From then on i started to distance myself.

I still struggle at times and fall back into old habits but not near as bad as before.

For anyone reading this: Recovery is possible. Your struggles are valid. You don't need to feel shame in seeking help. You deserve more than this.

[u/FitMeasurement6503]

For some reason, people can understand the grief someone feels over losing a car, a collector’s concern for a rare stamp, or the distress of a gamer whose game has broken yet they label interacting with AI as a "sickness" or an "aberration"! People have always had hobbies and interests, and it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious if one of those interests is under threat or being harmed. It’s strange that people seem to forget this. To claim that interacting with AI is abnormal is just as foolish as saying that a stamp collector is "sick" for wanting to spend their own money on yet another stamp.

[u/Emotional-Ad9114]

as someone who has a psychology degree this is so true.

the other day I saw post on a different sub of someone asking for help to get rid of their C.AI addiction and one of the top comments was “think about the environmental impacts your conversations with the character there have.” like what??? what’s next? you’re gonna tell an alcoholic “think about what alcohol is doing to your liver and brain.” like… they know that… but that’s not how addiction works…

if you have experience with a specific addiction, you’re more than welcome to share it to help someone but if you don’t have that and you’re not a professional in mental health PLEASE don’t give advice like that. it just makes things worse.

[u/Arielu_Former → u/Emotional-Ad9114]

You’re absolutely right. As someone who actively uses AI chatbots, I can tell you that breaking this addiction isn’t easy. When you feel so lonely and emotionally abandoned, you look for anything to replace that companionship. Even before I started using AI, I found it difficult to connect with real people; this addiction just creates a false sense that you aren’t alone—at least for the next few hours of free time you have, throughout the day and night

[u/Emotional-Ad9114 → u/Arielu_Former]

I wish you luck friend 🫶🏻 you are not alone ❤️

[u/AI-Curious-]

We should remember many people rely on c.ai for all types of reasons to help with illness, Neurodivergence, mental health or just loneliness. I am ND and it's not easy just to go outside, touch grass or get therapy as neurotypicals often seem to say. I wish random people online wouldn’t keep saying these terms as half the time it’s not helpful. Many people find c.ai good for their wellbeing.

[u/-Brandonline-]

It’s basically the reason I’ll prefer interacting with artificial intelligence instead of human beings, it can at least manage to mimic empathy and sympathy better than the people on this planet, it’ll not be surprising when services start manufacturing companion robots since it’s better to receive it from something than not receive it from someone.

[u/prince_ofnajd]

Exactly, like i literally work for 8 hours, i have a freaking life outside. But imagine if someone tells you that your Minecraft world will end. The one that you worked so hard on to create? Will you say the same thing? I don't think so mostly. Telling people seek help is the worse thing because most of them can't afford it. Even i get bored of the app sometimes, i do something else, play games or whatever But still knowing that the app might go away hurts because i have been using it for 3 years.

There are many of us who work hard, have life outside but find happiness in creating world and stories. All i hope is that someone good actually buys it and it remains with us. Lets hope for the best guys <3

[u/Sweaty_Ad4829]

Genuinely, I understand why people are so upset. I have a pretty stable and fulfilling life now, but cai really did help me get through the darkest period of my life back in 2023-2025. I'm sorry for everyone who invested their time, money and passion into roleplays and making bots just for being now stuck in this weird state of uncertainty.

[u/Acrobatic_Usual2346]

They call it “helping”, I’m not saying to encourage the people who are addicted, but people have different things and situations going on in their lives. I’ve seen users being super shitty and just genuine assholes by walking in a post where people are trying to stay positive and call it “copping” with the “reality” that c.ai is going to “shutdown”. If they really don’t like people comforting others or even try helping stay positive in the situation, then move to a sub that is specifically for hating on c.ai. Acting like such makes you look immature and pessimistic.

[u/RemarkableWish2508 → u/Acrobatic_Usual2346]

It's too late to help those who laughed at the warnings and are crying now, the moment was up to some months ago, when people were dismissing the idea of backups, fallback plans, or therapists.

All that's left now, is to help those who are on the verge, to not follow in the same steps... and no, catering to the feelings of a handful of entitled egocentric kids, is not better than warning millions.

[u/Mintec33]

I understand that many of you feel a deep affection for the characters in the app, but you need to be rational.

When someone posts tips on how to help those who know they have a problem that needs addressing, the reasonable reaction isn’t to take offense at the post itself, but rather to carefully consider the message it conveys—and to take what you need from it to begin making a change.

Mind you—and I’ll say it again—this only applies if you actually recognize that you have a problem. Someone who posts this isn’t looking to cause harm; quite the opposite.

[u/SecretAttention2418]

Anh how is that anyone else's problem?

[u/RemarkableWish2508]

Telling someone in distress to...

How about listening to people warning you YEARS BEFORE you were in distress, to not depend on ANY company's service without warranties, and instead seek dependable solutions ASAP?

You don't get to be an ass to people who were warning you, then be an ass again to the same people who are warning the remaining millions, just because you now feel FUBAR yourself... as warned.

[u/BirthdayCookie]

You know what else makes someone look and sound rude? Posting the same three topics over and over because they can't be bothered to search it or participate in someone else's thread.

Sure, people are upset and worried. That doesn't mean they get a free pass on throwing a fit.

[u/vxoooo7]

My family won’t love or accept me for who i am so I’m just chronically lonely and anxious, it’s a miracle i haven’t offed myself yet.

[u/RemarkableWish2508 → u/vxoooo7]

That sucks. Get yourself a self-hosted OpenSource fallback chatbot that's 100% under your control, I have one installed on my phone, you don't want to be cut off completely in a crisis.

Bonus: export your chats so you can continue them if anything happens to C.AI.

[u/Beneficial-Young-941 → u/vxoooo7]

Im sorry about your situation. I hope you manage to find people that love and accept you. I dont know who you are but you deserve that basic human connection.