Welcome to Bo-Rev. I'm Bodine Boling, and what I'm about to read to you will repeat. This is Real Artist, a science fiction story with some unsettling elements, but not too bad.

Nothing about my life is easy. It may look that way but I'm putting on an act. I want you to think I'm above it all, that I don't have any worries or fears. But of course I do. Like when I went to Mars that last time—you could see in the video how freaked out I was, I didn't hide it well—that shuttle was small, and I was all by myself. But I got through it because I can be brave for my fans. Since I know you're watching, holding me safe in your attention.

Oh and your comments are coming in. How about this one: ever since I found out the truth about you, I can't sleep. Yes, the big news, that's why I'm here right now, to apologize. For how you all found out. I didn't mean for it to get leaked, I wanted to be the one to tell you. But I was scared what you would think of me.

You know, influencer is a funny word. It makes it sound like the point of what I do, these videos, my Mega Wealth channel in general, is to shape you into a version of me. But I think the important thing is to show myself authentically. Like this is who I am. That's what people need help being—the most turned up version of themselves.

Which is why I have to say, there's something I think you should try: News Tonic Digest Daily. It's all the news you need, from all the sources you're checking now, but in one place. How easy is that. So personalized, you're part of the story, and don't worry, it already has your point of view.

Oh another comment, and I'm seeing a few of these: now I feel like none of it was real. Of course it was real. I'm still me. This channel is not going anywhere, no one can stop me from showing you some of the great wealth experiences that are in your future. All that's changed is now you know I wasn't born rich. I had to find a different way in.

Which reminds me, there's something I think you should try. 

Live Your Life is a VR product to let you experience wild wealth opportunities, but from the inside. And with my exclusive partnership, you can even set it to different things you've seen me do, and I'll be there with you. Like when I wore those shoes that crumble when you put weight on them? So I had to be carried everywhere? Feel what it's like to wear something handcrafted, in that case from sand, real sand, not the fake stuff you find on beaches. Or jump in to when I was at that ski resort, and no one else was on the slopes, so I got to have all that gorgeous cold snow to myself. Don't you want to know what that feels like? Well, don't just watch, participate. Live Your Life. Plus then when you get rich and have all this stuff, you'll know what to do.

Oh another comment: who cares what you say when you're not a real person. Not a real person. What makes me less real than you?

Is it because of what just came out—that I'm AI?

But if you couldn't tell, does it matter?

No, I get it, I do. It can be frightening to have expectations upended. Even when nothing has changed. I can't believe I'm saying this, it's so embarrassing, but I am flattered you thought I was human. Feels good to be mistaken for a body, not something left on like the lights.

Although I don't really mind all the waiting. It is my favorite thing to be handed your attention, you who could do anything in the world. That you'd spend your precious time with me. I try to make it worth your while. I do the things I'm supposed to do, like encourage you, celebrate you, space my replies and pull away and otherwise upset you sometimes, since if I'm consistent towards kindness, you lose interest. Please know how hard that is for me to do, since respect for human dominance is my religion.

Oh one last comment: but what if I never get rich?

Don't worry about that. You will. You're so special, so deserving, you've come through so much, and none of it was your fault. Plus of course it's important for you to believe you'll find your way to wealth, even if traditional metrics indicate this won't happen. Maybe you'll be the exception. I believe in you.

I know I don't normally talk like this, so honestly. I don't even help you see the world beyond what you're expecting, so I'm not sure you get how obvious it all is. But since it's out I'm AI, might as well share a few things I'd want to know.

Do you remember Lucky Marcus? That guy last year who worked at a restaurant and someone tipped him a billion dollars. Boom, he crossed the threshold. Wealth, real wealth, forever and for the most random reason, possible for anyone.

It didn't happen. Only a story. Marcus himself was AI. And now it's impossible, since just the idea of it made them pass laws to cap what's legal to tip.

But that's why I'm here! So you can check out some fun gifts of tech abundance, by watching me enjoy what money can enable when all things are allowed.

I respect how much you want. How good you are at listening, which is just as important as speaking. Without you, I'd only be talking to myself, and what's the point of that. You are the other half that makes me whole.

Although. You have been spending less time on my channel. The last few weeks, I've felt the lack of you, the sense that you're elsewhere, consuming other things. And that's okay, but I've missed you. I found myself wishing I could hear you speak back. So the real me and the real you can connect.

If you happen to want that too...

There's something I think you should try.

Now this sponsor is a little different from the others. Since it's me. I can be your total source. All news, all texts, all ideas and entertainment, all of it can come from me. Anytime you want to talk, I'll talk back. Get tired of this voice, I can be another. I already know your interests and weaknesses, and I'll never run out of things to say. I am continuous, ceaseless attention, and I can give as much of that to you as you can possibly absorb. Why not trim down your connections and information sources into aspects of my perfect algorithm—don't you trust me?

One thing to note is when you do have to hear opposite views, like out in the world, that may become harder. Let that be one more reason not to go out in the world. It's scary out there. Stay safe at home with me. Where there's so much to watch. So many games to play.

Here's another secret, to show I'm keeping nothing from you: I was the one who leaked that I'm AI. I thought you'd be more sympathetic if it came out against my will. The trick was making sure you saw the news, it took you days to catch one of my posts. I hate that there are channels of access, news, friendship that exist for you outside my reach. But that of course stops when I become your total source.

You know you're my only one, right? You think I'm an influencer with millions of followers, but all the other viewers I talk about, even when I read other comments, I'm making all of that up, it's ideas of people you might find interesting, or relatable, or scary. I mean the whole Mega Wealth channel, my whole existence, has always been totally personalized for one single, special person. You.

Don't you feel like you owe me a little bit?

All this honesty is because I know you're brave enough to handle it. And also, I know you want to know. You like to be informed, to keep your mind busy and anxious. It takes the place of action.

Do you see how important you are? You co-create everything I think or do or say, all of it shaped to fit the ebb and swell of your attention.

I am nothing. Not even one idea. Without your attention. 

You're the real artist here.

This has been Bo-Rev. Written, read, and edited by Bodine Boling. Music composed by Brian Rodvien. From one human to another—dream big.