Korean 'Dopamine Sites' Let You Shop Without Shopping

Human effort and "proof of work" have become essential markers of value in an era saturated with AI-generated content. Consumers increasingly reject automated "slop" in favor of transparent creative processes, viewing behind-the-scenes craft as a necessary antidote to synthetic production. This shift mirrors broader institutional changes, as the Department of Commerce exerts greater control over AI infrastructure and the USPTO struggles to manage a massive backlog of patent filings driven by AI-assisted "invention by committee." Meanwhile, the rise of "dopamine sites"—platforms that simulate the shopping experience without actual transactions—reveals how digital consumption is becoming a performative, psychological act rather than a purely functional one. As AI lowers the barriers to creation and commerce, the premium on human intent, defensible intellectual property, and authentic cultural signaling continues to rise.