As I walk through Times Square, the pulsating heart of capitalist America, the contradictions of our era couldn’t be more stark. Here I am, in the center of the world’s most dazzling billboard for consumerism, surrounded by lights that scream for attention, trying to sell me a piece of the American dream. But tonight, my thoughts drift elsewhere—to the revolution brewing beneath the surface of this glittering facade.
Reflections on AI, Capitalism, and the Liberation of Pleasure – Live from Times Square – By Maxwell Alexander, Artist, Photographer, Designer, MA, BFA, Certified Fitness Trainer, Bodybuilding and Sports Nutrition Coach
The rise of AI is more than just another technological leap; it’s a disruption that could shatter the very pillars of capitalism. Imagine a world where machines do all the work, where the capitalist need to grind and hustle for survival becomes obsolete. What would we do with our time, with our lives, if our value was no longer tied to labor? Could we finally break free from the oppressive structures that have controlled us for centuries?
As an artist and activist immersed in the homoerotic and pleasure industries—spanning hospitality, entertainment, travel, sex, and art—these questions feel deeply personal. My work, especially in male boudoir photography, is about challenging and dismantling the constraints imposed by patriarchy. This art form, which celebrates the male body in its most intimate and vulnerable state, thrives when we reject the toxic ideals of masculinity that capitalism has long promoted.
In this vision of the future, I see the potential for a new renaissance—one where we embrace our bodies, our desires, and our sexuality without shame. Naked bodybuilding, for example, is not just about physical strength; it’s a celebration of the human form in its most primal, uninhibited state. When we allow ourselves to embrace our sexuality, we tap into our innate nature, leveraging our hormones and mental health to achieve a kind of holistic wellness that capitalism could never offer.
But how does AI fit into this picture? AI has the potential to free us from the drudgery of work, allowing us to focus on what truly matters: pleasure, connection, creativity, and self-expression. In a world where machines handle the mundane, why shouldn’t we fight for the decriminalization of sex work, the legalization of nudity, and the dismantling of the oppressive norms that dictate what is acceptable in terms of our bodies and desires?
The pleasure industries—whether it’s art, sex work, wellness, fashion or hospitality—stand at the forefront of this potential revolution. For too long, capitalism has commodified our desires while simultaneously repressing them, dictating who gets to experience pleasure and who does not. But AI could change all that, making pleasure more accessible, more inclusive, and less exploitative—if we steer its development in the right direction.
So, as I stand here in Times Square, amidst the glaring neon lights and the endless push of advertisements, I see a different future. A future where AI isn’t just another tool for the powerful to tighten their grip on our lives, but a force for social liberation. A future where we break down the walls of patriarchy and capitalism that have confined us for too long, and instead, build a world where pleasure, creativity, and freedom are available to all.
This isn’t just a dream; it’s a call to action. The revolution won’t just be televised—it will be felt in every touch, seen in every piece of art, and experienced in every moment of joy.
