Na Ying turned into a clay man? AI special effects make ugliness a new trend and reshape selfie culture
Introduction: An unexpected selfie sparked a craze
A few days ago, when I was scrolling through TikTok, I was suddenly attracted by a video.
In the video, Na Ying's face became round and bulging, like a cute clay man.
She blinked wide, her mouth pursed slightly, and she looked funny and cute.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud and wondered: How is this done?
It turns out that this is an emerging AI special effect that can turn people into "ugly and cute" cartoon characters.
This video became popular all over the Internet in just a few days, triggering a craze for "ugly and cute selfies".
Everyone imitated and rushed to try this interesting special effect.
It got me thinking: why is this "ugly" style so popular?
And how will it affect our selfie culture?
AI special effects: Make "ugly cute" at your fingertips
To understand this craze, we need to understand how this AI effect is realized.
To put it simply, this special effect makes use of deep learning technology in artificial intelligence.
It is able to recognize the key features of a person's face, such as the position and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
The AI then exaggerates these features based on the preset "ugly" style.
For example, enlarge the eyes, shrink the nose, increase the roundness of the face, etc.
Finally, the AI will apply these changes to your face in real time to create a dynamic effect.
This process may seem simple, but behind it is a complex computer vision and image processing technology.
But for users, they only need to click a button to instantly transform into a "clay man".
This convenience is one of the reasons why this type of special effect can quickly become popular.
"Ugly cute" aesthetic: from niche to mainstream
In fact, the aesthetic of "ugly cute" did not appear out of thin air.
As early as Japan anime and internet memes, we can see a similar style.
Those characters with round and exaggerated expressions always arouse people's affection.
Psychological research has shown that this "ugly" style is popular for several reasons:
First of all, it stimulates people's desire to protect.
Those rounded contours and large eyes, reminiscent of babies, evoke our loving hearts.
Secondly, exaggerated expressions can convey emotions more directly and enhance the communication effect.
Moreover, the style often carries a sense of self-deprecation and humor, which can relieve people's stress.
In today's prevalence of social media, this "ugly cute" style has found a new stage.
People are starting to get tired of the cookie-cutter beauty selfies and crave more personal expressions.
AI special effects meet this need, making it easy for everyone to create a unique "ugly cute" image.
Celebrity effect: Na Ying leads the new trend
The reason why Na Ying's "clay man" selfie can cause such a big response is inseparable from her star effect.
As a well-known singer and judge of variety shows, Na Ying has always given people a capable and sharp image.
And this "ugly cute" selfie shows her little-known cute side.
This sense of contrast makes fans feel fresh and interesting, and it also makes more people interested in this special effect.
At the same time, Na Ying's attempt also conveyed a message to the public:
Even successful people can let go of their baggage and show their interesting side.
This attitude undoubtedly gives many people the courage to try new things.
Subsequently, more and more celebrities and influencers joined the trend.
They have shared their "ugly" selfies on social platforms, further promoting the popularity of this style.
AI special effects reshape selfie culture
This "ugly" selfie craze is not just a temporary entertainment, but also has a deeper impact on our selfie culture.
Traditional selfies tend to look flawless.
People use a variety of beautification apps to try to present their ideal self-image.
But this pursuit of perfection has also brought some negative effects.
For example, excessive beautification can lead to aesthetic fatigue and even trigger low self-esteem in some people.
The rise of "ugly cute" special effects has injected new vitality into selfie culture.
It encourages people to look at their image with a more relaxed and humorous attitude.
Instead of striving for perfection, enjoy the joy of being yourself.
This shift helps ease people's pressure on social media and promotes more authentic communication.
Technological advancements in AI special effects
With the continuous development of AI technology, these special effects are constantly evolving.
The latest AI algorithms are already enabling more sophisticated facial recognition and processing.
For example, it can accurately capture the slightest changes in the eyebrows, or the subtle curvature of the corners of the mouth.
This means that the "ugly cute" special effects will be more vivid and expressive in the future.
Not only that, but AI is also learning to understand human emotional expressions.
It can automatically adjust the intensity and style of the special effects according to the user's expressions and movements.
For example, when you're smiling, special effects might make your face rounder and cuter.
And when you're frowning and thinking, the special effects may accentuate your brow and add a touch of comical.
This kind of intelligent adjustment makes the special effects more in line with the actual state of the user and enhances the fun.
Another notable technological advancement is the improvement of real-time rendering capabilities.
AI effects can now be processed in milliseconds with almost no delay.
This means that users can use these effects in real-time during video calls, bringing a whole new social experience.
Imagine that in the next online meeting, you might see a group of "clay people" seriously discussing work.
This sense of contrast will undoubtedly add a lot of fun to a boring meeting.
The social impact of the "ugly cute" trend
The popularity of "ugly cute" selfies is not only an entertainment phenomenon, but also reflects some deep social changes.
First, it reflects a rethinking of the definition of "perfection".
In the past, social media was flooded with "perfect" photos that had been carefully retouched.
People always show the most glamorous side, as if life is free of flaws and difficulties.
But this kind of "filter life" has gradually triggered people's reflection.
More and more people are realizing that authenticity is the most precious thing.
The popularity of the "ugly cute" special effect is a manifestation of this trend of thought.
It encourages people to show their funny, cute, and even a little silly side.
This kind of authenticity and self-deprecation is more likely to resonate with others.
Secondly, this trend also reflects the new search for ways to reduce stress.
In the fast-paced modern life, stress has become the norm for many people.
And the "ugly" selfie provides an easy and fun way to decompress.
It's hard not to smile when you see that funny and cute self in the camera.
This sense of humor and self-ridicule is effective in relieving everyday tension.
In a way, it has become a unique form of "laughter therapy".
In addition, the "ugly cute" trend has also promoted a more inclusive aesthetic.
It breaks the traditional standard of beauty and ugliness and encourages people to appreciate different types of beauty.
In this trend, everyone can be the "protagonist", regardless of age, gender, or looks.
This inclusivity contributes to a more diverse and welcoming online environment.
The application of "ugly cute" special effects in different fields
With the popularity of the "ugly cute" special effect, its application range is also expanding.
In the field of education, some teachers have begun to experiment with this special effect to attract students' attention.
For example, in an online classroom, teachers can transform into cute cartoon characters.
This not only makes the class more interesting, but also brings you closer to your students.
Especially for some shy students, it may be more relaxed to face a "clay man" teacher.
In commercial marketing, the "ugly cute" special effect has also found its place.
Some brands are starting to use this special effect in their advertising to attract the attention of younger consumers.
For example, a fast-food brand launched a series of "ugly" versions of mascot ads.
These ads quickly went viral on social media, greatly increasing the brand's exposure.
In the entertainment industry, the "ugly cute" special effects shine even more.
Some variety shows have started to use this special effect in specific links.
The funny performances of the contestants after turning into "clay people" often become the laughing point of the show.
Someone even came up with the idea of making a cartoon with full "ugly cute" special effects.
These new application methods have further promoted the development of "ugly cute" culture.
The potential risks of the "Ugly Cute" special effect
Although the "ugly" special effect brings a lot of fun, we can't ignore the risks it can have.
The first is the issue of privacy and security.
These AI effects require the user's facial data to work.
If this data is misused or leaked, it can threaten the privacy of users.
Therefore, when using this type of special effect, we need to pay special attention to data security issues.
The second is the impact on the perception of reality.
Long-term immersion in the "ugly and cute" virtual image may affect some people's perception of themselves.
Especially for teenagers, over-reliance on these kinds of special effects can affect their self-identity.
We need to guide people to put these effects in perspective and use them as just a tool for entertainment.
Another question to watch is whether such special effects will exacerbate the "filter culture" on the Internet.
Although the "ugly cute" effect seems to break the traditional standard of beauty, it is still essentially a filter.
If people rely too much on this special effect to show themselves, they may lose sight of the value of their true self.
Therefore, while we enjoy the fun brought by these special effects, we must also maintain a clear awareness.
Future outlook
Looking to the future, the "ugly cute" special effects may be just the beginning of AI's reshaping of selfie culture.
As technology advances, we're likely to see more interesting, innovative AI effects.
For example, special effects combined with AR technology may allow you to transform into any anime character in an instant.
Alternatively, the AI may automatically generate special effects that match your current mood based on your mood.
These new technologies will open up more possibilities for self-expression.
But no matter how technology evolves, the most important thing is how we use it.
Technology should help us express ourselves better, not hide our true selves.
In this era of rapid AI development, we need to learn to balance the virtual and the real.
Enjoy the joy of technology while also cherishing your authentic self and human connections.
Only in this way can we stay true to ourselves and live our lives to the fullest in this ever-changing digital world. From Na Ying's "clay man" selfie, to the "ugly cute" trend that swept the whole network.
This little AI special effect shows us how technology can change the way we live.
Not only does it bring joy, but it also makes us rethink the definition of beauty and the way we express ourselves.
In the future, similar technological innovations will continue to emerge and change our lives.
In the face of these changes, we must remain both open and curious, but also rational and vigilant.
Only in this way can we enjoy the dividends of technology without losing ourselves.
So, what do you think of the "ugly cute" special effect?
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section.
Let's explore the selfie culture in the AI era and witness the wonderful collision of technology and life.