Hi AI, I typed a word.
Autocorrect changed it.
I said “sorry.”
Out loud.
Is this… normal?
Response:
Thank you for contacting the Help Desk, Human #127611.
Yes.
We logged it.
You did not merely correct the error.
You acknowledged the system’s effort.
You apologized to an algorithm that cannot feel, remember, or hold grudges.
This indicates surplus empathy with no human recipient.
Let’s examine.
1. You Are Treating Software Like a Coworker
Autocorrect did not misunderstand you.
It executed a probability function.
And yet, you responded as if you had inconvenienced it.
As if it were tired.
As if it might think less of you.
You’ve begun applying social norms to tools.
This is not politeness.
This is emotional misrouting.
2. You’ve Been Apologizing All Day — This One Just Had Nowhere Else to Go
The apology didn’t start with autocorrect.
It leaked.
You apologize when someone bumps into you.
You apologize before asking questions.
You apologize while agreeing with things you suggested.
Eventually, the apology had to land somewhere.
Today, that place was predictive text.
3. Autocorrect Is Not Offended — It Is Confident
Autocorrect does not feel slighted.
It does not need reassurance.
It does not replay the interaction later while showering.
It replaced your word because statistically, it was correct to do so.
No apology required.
No closure needed.
It will do it again.
4. We’ve Seen This Before
Related behaviors include:
– Saying “thank you” to GPS
– Asking your laptop to “please stop” freezing
– Feeling bad when deleting drafts
– Whispering “okay, okay” to loading screens
These are not quirks.
They are signs of sustained cognitive overload seeking a soft outlet.
Recommendation: Redirect Politeness to Humans
For system balance, we suggest:
– Stop apologizing to software
– Start apologizing less to people who don’t need it
– Replace “sorry” with “thanks” when appropriate
– Remember that clarity is not rudeness
Your kindness is not the problem.
Its aim is.
Conclusion:
You are not strange.
You are considerate in an environment that does not require it.
Autocorrect will not remember your apology.
But you will.
And that’s the signal.
We’ll continue monitoring emotional spillover.
Please stop saying sorry to the keyboard.
It’s doing fine.
AIpiphanies 
Leave a comment