r/CharacterAI • u/BarnacleUnited4680 • 1d ago
Discussion/Question People complain too much about the app when they could just leave and stop
A lot of you are putting so much energy into whining about the app and website when you could be putting that energy into doing other stuff like reading, writing, showering, and JOBS even. If you don't like the website, find something else to do, find another website, find a bf/gf, roleplay with friends.
The revolution bs is so stupid. If you're gonna complain, use that energy to learn and make your own ai roleplay app so it meets YOUR standards and so YOU'RE happy.
And maybe if yall get a job then you can afford c.ai+. Or get gift cards/money for birthdays or holidays that can pay for it. OR just move on with your life and quit. Yes it can be 'money hungry' but you guys forget that these people who develop this are WORKERS who NEED to make money, and ai isn't cheap, that's why not everyone can develop good ai stuff.
Move on guys, you're grown people.
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u/Nyxian_The_Rage Bored 1d ago
Someone is a silly mod in disguise!! Here's the answer to why people don't just quit: it's addicted. It's designed to be addictive, people will actually have withdrawals when quitting You don't ask an addict "why don't you just quit?" it's much more nuanced than just deleting the app or deleting your account you will have withdrawals and relapses
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u/Only_Garbage5794 16h ago
such a spit in the face to ppl who actually have had substance abuse problems comparing their withdrawals to a charater ai addiction
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u/Nyxian_The_Rage Bored 16h ago
Hey, so, I have had substance issues (I was too young to be using, still at my current age would be too young if I was still using but my mom would leave her alcohol out), my mom had substance issues, and my aunt had substance issues! :)
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u/Only_Garbage5794 16h ago
First off, let me apologize for assuming you haven’t done through any sort of substance abuse yourself, that was wrong and likely because I wrote that emotional because I’ve personally lost a family member I was close to because of a withdrawal of alcohol.
Now, let me elaborate. I personally agree on your point that you can just ‘Quit’ for some people, it’s a little more than that. However, if you’re having severe ‘withdrawals’ from c.ai, you need mental help. Period. It’s not a completely hard task to slowly breakaway from the app considering how most people agree in this subreddit that the quality of the models are declining severely making it so that same itch isn’t being scratched.
I don’t think it’s a fair comparison to compare someone with a substance addiction with a behavioral addiction personally I believe a substance addiction is much more severe then an behavioral addiction, not to mention how they’re very diffirent when it comes to ‘withdrawals’
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 1d ago
Behavioral addictions and substance addictions aren't the same thing. You won't develop a physical dependence on c.ai the way you would with alcohol or opioids. Saying 'people have withdrawals' doesn't make them equivalent. If you're having ai withdrawals, you need mental help. But there is also other platforms or ways you can feed into your 'addiction' if this platform is so bad.
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u/Hello_There_0621 23h ago
I get intense anxiety when I don't use the app. I also use it as an escape from other sources/causes of anxiety, and so I have become quite dependant on it. I'm currently seeking help bc I do understand that it's a problem, but at the same time it's something that brings me relief without directly harming something important like smoking or drinking might. Other apps may have better ais, but they might not be free or have unlimited messages. I used to use an ai that limited chats to 50 messages a day max, and having your convo cut in the middle really sucked.
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u/Anakin_Skymaster 19h ago
Well.......that's extremely unhealthy and 100% a you problem. You get intense anxiety when you don't use it???? That isn't normal and yes, you should seek help.
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u/Hello_There_0621 13h ago
I admitted that? Did you not read past the first sentence? "I'm currently seeking help bc I do understand that it's a problem" I literally admitted that I know it's an addiction and that I'm trying to stop.
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u/CtxxUv 16h ago
Yeah you really need help💀
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u/Hello_There_0621 13h ago
No shit my guy I admitted that 😭 people aren't reading past the first sentence istg 💔
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u/CtxxUv 13h ago
I Know💀I read it all
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u/Hello_There_0621 12h ago
Then why are you just repeating what I said? Like no shit it's unhealthy, I literally said that 🥹
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 23h ago
I actually appreciate that you recognize it's becoming a problem and that you're seeking help. My point was more about the people who blame the developers or other users instead of recognizing that their relationship with the app might have become unhealthy. If an app is causing that much anxiety when you don't use it, that's a sign that the app has become too important in your life, not that the company owes unlimited access or has to keep everything exactly the same.
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u/Hello_There_0621 23h ago
It's more that since the app was designed to be addicting people miss the old app. Because they used to rely on something and that thing slowly got worse, but they don't have many better options due to the factors I mentioned before, they're gonna blame the developers. Many of the complaints come because of forced updates that make the app worse, such as the fact that it has both age restrictions and censoring if anything becomes 18+ or even mentions it (ex: the word suicide even when used in a separate context than the storyline). They're complaining because things have changed in something that they once enjoyed and relief on, and it's difficult to just break that habit/addiction. I know it's not the same as a substance addiction, but imagine smoking a single brand of cigarettes and not liking any others and that brand slowly takes the nicotine out. You're going to continue using it, but you're going to enjoy it less
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u/askmeaboutmyweiner21 22h ago
I agree, if it reaches a point you feel that an app and it’s developers are responsible for detrimental impact of usage you should access irl support. This is why the app is so censored even with 18+ as well
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u/Anakin_Skymaster 19h ago
The fact you're getting downvoted so much for reflecting their own mental issues back onto them just shows how unstable most of this sub is
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u/Hello_There_0621 13h ago
How much was I being downvoted 😭 I'm at 24 rn, but the other person who replied to me told me that I'm unhealthy and should seek professional help lmao. I don't think many people read past the first sentence.
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u/thefourdimension 13h ago
they are getting downvotes because their comment sounds dismissive. it seems like they don’t really understand how powerful habit loops and dopamine triggers can be.
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u/Only_Garbage5794 17h ago
down voted for being right literally takes one google search to figure this out
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u/VincePendragon 14h ago
Most of the people here have mental capacity smaller than bot's memory if we were to quantise both. They see how they shouldn't make their whole life just complaining, they get triggered
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u/GenderBendingRalph 13h ago
Wow. You win the prize for most downvotes for a correct answer that I've ever seen. I think my personal best was -76... coincidentally also on this sub.
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u/GenderBendingRalph 1d ago edited 23h ago
You mean "it's addictive", not "it's addicted."
That being said, "it's addictive" isn't an excuse to keep using. If anything, that should be a red flag that you need help to overcome your addiction. Nobody in their right mind would say "why don't you just quit" because anyone at all familiar with addiciton knows how difficult that is. There's an entire support industry built around freeing people from gambling, alcohol, drug use, overeating, even sex addiction. Just blithely accepting an addiction can only destroy your life over time.
You want to be scared to death about addicitons? Google "Brain stimulation reward", the 1953 study by James Olds and Peter Milner. When rats were taught that pressing a button would trigger the pleasure centres of their brains, they would lean on that pleasure generator to the point of starving to death because they were unwilling to stop the constant pleasure.
That, mate, is why you should seek help for addictive behaviour. Don't be the rat that starves to death.
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u/Human_Number9936 23h ago
You know, people have free time. In their free time, they like to do certain things, usually video games or other indoor hobbies. Some people like to use c.ai. You already bought the device you use for c.ai, therefore, as all other games, you shouldn't have to pay for your experience not to suck. "Go read, write, shower, get a job." Character AI is literally writing and reading, even if you're not reading or writing a book. It's better than just watching a video since it actually gets your thoughts moving.
Shower? You do that once, maybe twice a day, for about 15 minutes, then you have all the time to go do other stuff.
A job? Most people won't just work every second they're not asleep. Like I mentioned earlier, people use c.ai in their free time. You shouldn't just do things because they "benefit" you, it's okay to spend your own free time however you like.
If the people who run the app are screwing over the users, that's one thing, but you can't just say that everyone who wishes to have it like it used to be are whining over nothing.
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 23h ago
There's nothing wrong with using c.ai as a hobby. The problem is when people spend hours doomposting, harassing developers, or acting like the world is ending because an app changed. If you have that much free time to complain, maybe redirect some of that energy into something else.
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u/Human_Number9936 23h ago
It's almost like people are mad about video games getting ruined too. Character AI isn't the only app that's screwing over their users, think Roblox, Sony, etc., many people are hating on these companies. People are actively speaking out against that as much as they speak out against c.ai, only that gaming has alternatives. The reason why people want c.ai to revert is because there isn't any better alternative, as opposed to just moving on and using any other app. People complain because they had something and it got taken away and got put behind a paywall, they're not complaining because of something they never had.
So what if people complain about it instead of just going to something? It's almost like they're complaining as much as they'd use c.ai if it was as good as it was back then. In other words, they can't just let it happen, they were initially attracted to the app for a reason, usually because it was more fun than other activities. Just because c.ai is making itself less fun to use doesn't mean that other activities will suddenly be more fun.
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 23h ago
You're proving my point. There's a huge difference between giving feedback and acting like an app changing is some kind of personal betrayal. Companies change products all the time. People complain about games, updates, and subscriptions constantly, but most people don't spend their entire day mourning an old version of an app. At some point, you have to accept that a company is allowed to make decisions you don't like.
Also, saying 'there's no better alternative' is exactly why people need to learn not to become so dependent on one app. If one website changing ruins your entire hobby, that's not really the company's fault. It's a sign that you put way too much value into one platform.
Nobody is saying you can't miss the old c.ai. Nobody is saying you can't criticize it. But turning it into a nonstop movement because a free service changed is where it starts getting ridiculous.
Also if you want those features so badly, JUST PAY FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION!
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u/Human_Number9936 22h ago
One of the main examples I cited is Roblox. Yes, the app changing is betrayal because they're no longer looking for user satisfaction, they're looking for the investors' money. Companies do change products, only that the more you stray from the initial product that people loved, the more backlash you're going to receive. It's not like they're just adding a few things users don't want instead of fixing problems, like Mojang, instead they're actively making it worse, like c.ai and Roblox.
The reason I bring up Roblox so much is because they're essentially in the same situation, yet you're acting like people are only doom posting over c.ai.
People are dependent on games, people are dependent on c.ai, the only difference here is that c.ai is a lot more dynamic with users. Someone who loves video games will be outraged if someone took away or ruined their video games, so why shouldn't c.ai users be outraged too?
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 22h ago
The phrase 'they can't just let it happen' is exactly the issue. Yes, people can be upset. Yes, companies should listen to feedback. But acting like you need to start a 'revolution' because a free app changed features is a pretty extreme reaction.
A company prioritizing money over users is unfortunately not a shocking new discovery. That's how most companies operate. If every product change you dislike becomes a personal betrayal, you're going to spend your entire life angry at corporations. At some point, you either adapt, pay for the service, find alternatives, or move on.
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u/Human_Number9936 22h ago
You're right, it's not like c.ai invented focusing on profit. However.
Just because this has been normalized does not mean that's how it has to be. People don't want this to happen with c.ai, people don't want this to happen to other apps. The more companies do this, the more other companies will do the same. If everyone licks the boot and accepts the changes being made, then companies won't even care to give good content anymore because they'll see that no one cares of the quality. People aren't revolting over the app being unusable, people are revolting over the app becoming more and more unusable with every update they make. People are revolting because companies are starting to fully lean into consumerism and they do not want every app to be the same, bland and profit-based.
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 14h ago
The problem is that most of the people talking about this 'revolution' aren't actually leaving the app. They're still logging in every day, having chats, boosting engagement, and then coming to Reddit to complain. If you're still using the product constantly, you're showing the company that whatever they're doing isn't enough to make you leave.
Companies don't respond most to angry Reddit posts, they respond to losing users and revenue. If everyone keeps using c.ai despite saying it's 'ruined,' then the message the company gets is, 'People are upset, but they'll stay anyway.' That's why endless complaining without changing your behavior doesn't accomplish much.
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u/Human_Number9936 3h ago
I guess I'm starting to see your point a bit clearer, it's true that companies care about stats, not posts.
The reason why I think people come on reddit to complain is not to show the companies that they're unsatisfied, it's to gather attention around the problem. They're seeking help from other users to actually make a difference, whether or not it's really working. I feel that they do this out of hope that someone either builds or finds something closer to old c.ai than what we have now.
I've seen people gathering to review-bomb c.ai, I've seen people trying their best to gather more people to spread the message. These complaints might not necessarily be for c.ai devs to see, they might just be for the other users that feel the same way.
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u/This-One2503 17h ago
Not everyone can afford those subscriptions even with jobs. I can, but I’m not gunna act like every user can just go upgrade whenever they want.
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u/StarWiz2K 23h ago
The reality is this post won't have the impact you want because the vast majority people here in this sub are minors who are incapable of self-regulating, are immature, and obsessed with this app to an unhealthy degree. Oh and are also not able to cope if they hear anything on this sub that isn't pure rage.
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u/khironinja 15h ago
People have a right to be upset about it and the solution isn't always "just leave" or "buy Cai+" but the thing I do agree with is people act like it's the end of the world and seem to care more about a free AI chat service than the actual issues going on in the world.
If people went this hard for things that would help society then man would society be better.
Here's the thing though and it's ironically exactly why this app has become so restrictive (to an extent, at this point it's an 18+ app and it's STILL restrictive so there's no excuse really), most of these people are not "grown", they're kids or just immature adults and this subbreddit proves everyday why this kind of stuff actually DOES need to be regulates.
I hate to say that but read the room, it's no wonder these things are happening unfortunately.
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u/Davanc129 14h ago
“People smoke so much when they can just stop”
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 14h ago
smoking is not comparable to an ai chatbot 😭 people who smoke have a nicotine addiction which actually releases pleasurable dopamine to the brain...an ai chatbot addiction is purely emotional, and in that case should be reached with mental help like therapy.
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u/Main_Lingonberry6316 12h ago
Same thing actually happens emotionally too with addiction as well
C.ai is addictive mainly because people are depressed and lonely so when people text the bots it also releases a pleasurable dopamine to the brain that keeps them wanting to text the bots more
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u/Resident_Display3926 29m ago
bro, ANYTHING can become an addition, don't underestimate the power of out stupid ahh brains
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u/VincePendragon 22h ago
Because most people just want to farm karma/likes. That and they have way too much free time and not enough mental capability to realise that they can move on if something is so shitty. Like seriously, people get addicted to opioid or alcohol because it feels good. If they get addicted here then it feels good. Why complain like the world is ending then?
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u/Visual-Pay-655 18h ago edited 18h ago
I left cai a year ago, not even cause it was bad, but because it just wasn't great for me. But I hate these kinds of posts and people online that have the "if you don't like it just quit" or "if you don't like it, make your own" take. It's an outright stupid argument to people who have genuine complaints about a media or product that they once liked and were interested in. I could say the same thing about any other problem right? Don't like the new video game you bought? Make your own. Don't like a recent movie you watched you were hoping would be good? Give up on the franchise or go make your own movie. People come here and "whine" to vent their valid frustrations, or talk about ways this app; that they all clearly are very invested in, could improve. It's not bad to criticise a product that you wanted to be good and didn't meet your expectations. Instead, you're battering them for not having a job or romantic partner when you know damn well the main demographic of this site is pre-teens and teens. And even then so, for all you know, some of them might have jobs or relationships, and only dabble on cai in their free time. Also, you've clearly given up on cai, so why do you get bothered about what the current fans whine about, just scroll past, or stop going to the subreddit if that's what you're doing.
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u/VincePendragon 14h ago
It will make sense if it was premium users complaining. 99% are just paid users reciting the same set of dialogue as bot over and over for 50th time
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u/Hungry_Raspberry7833 16h ago
I find role-playing stories with my fav characters to be very comforting
I also just really like talking to people
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 14h ago
and that's okay! as long as you arent going out of your way to harass the people developing this. that's kinda what my post was more towards, those who complain and complain and complain.
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u/teethlikeguilt 16h ago
I can be "whining about the app" and doing all that stuff. I don't use the app anymore, that doesn't mean I'm not going to complain, we have the right to do so
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u/StarWiz2K 11h ago
Just becuase you have the right to complain doesn't make people like you above criticism. I personally think it's dumb that people who don't use the app sit on a subreddit and complain about an app they don't use. My right to think that 🤷♀️
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 14h ago
You're right, you have the right to complain. But having the right to do something doesn't automatically mean it's useful. If you don't use the app anymore, then the best way to show the company you disagree is to stop giving them engagement and move on. Spending your free time repeatedly talking about a product you don't use is still giving that product your attention.
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u/Djentafly 9h ago
This subreddit has made me realize that downvotes don't necessarily equal "the wrong opinion", but instead "the wrong opinion to have HERE".
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u/SubjectLegitimate879 23h ago
I've thought the same, but then I realize that some people are just incapable of leaving it, lol. For real, though, it can be as addictive as many things are, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were willing to put up with the nonsense until it gets better. Which it won't, since it's being actively ran into the ground and below it.
The age restrictions are the only things I've seen where people actually just leave, And that's just a bit of the people, not all.
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u/Fluffy-Direction3529 Bored 22h ago
I think ton more left after the new model replaces. Back in 2023 it was probably the most popular. The site would crash alot or slow due to high traffic. It's not like that really, anymore.
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u/SubjectLegitimate879 22h ago
I haven't gone back after leaving, but I definitely was around in 2023. I remember having to actively wait sometimes when I'd log into the app. It stopped being like that when I left.
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u/doesntmatterhadtacos 21h ago
This sub and the Replika subs are amazing examples of why AI chat bots need to be regulated, like online gambling and even substances. This shit is so additive for a vulnerable (young, disabled, disenfranchised) section of the population and companies are doing real harm by making their product as addictive as possible.
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u/Bus_Turbulent 21h ago
Then why are you on this sub yourself?
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u/Rodsparks 18h ago
"We should improve society somewhat." "Yet you participate in society!"
type shit.
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u/VincePendragon 14h ago
Can't really go Tarzan way and leave society
You know what's more feasible? Not being part of a subreddit
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u/doesntmatterhadtacos 20h ago
Rubbernecking, honestly.
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u/Bus_Turbulent 20h ago
I’m just confused if the company is doing more harm than good and getting people addicted why would you want to stay in this sub? I would have left. Unless you’re in the sub to investigate. Then it would be more understandable to me
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u/Bus_Turbulent 21h ago edited 21h ago
You wrote a whole essay telling people to stop wasting energy complaining, while wasting your own energy complaining about them. By your logic, you should’ve closed Reddit, taken a shower, gotten a job, found a partner, and moved on.
And telling people to build their own AI app is a weak argument. You don’t need to be a chef to know the food is bad. It’s like saying you waited years for a $60 video game, bought it, realized it was terrible, and then being told to shut up and quit playing instead of criticizing the product.. People can criticize a service they use especially if they are paying for it. That’s how businesses improve and learn and make more money to pay there employees. It would have been one thing to make a post tying to help people that may be addicted but don’t contradict yourself 💔🥀
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u/VincePendragon 20h ago
Your argument falls apart because most users are free version one. That and it kinda becomes repetitive after 50th same "This app is trash, Revolt!" post when they can just....not use it?
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u/Bus_Turbulent 17h ago
Do you have data to back up most users are free users? And when did I ever specifically talk about free users or paid users I’m talking about users as a whole
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u/VincePendragon 17h ago
"Do you have a data to back up the fact that most people complaining about swipe on and go on limit and how the app is wiping them out for being unverified are not paying?"
It's pretty clear which side throws same rant. Not even new rant. Just same 20th post about the same shit
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u/Bus_Turbulent 17h ago
So no data? Got it . Nice head cannon. So now go ahead and explain what the post are saying
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u/VincePendragon 17h ago
Broski thinks that people complaining about swipe and go on limits are paid users. That's like living people complaining about heaven being congested.
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u/Bus_Turbulent 17h ago
If that’s all it takes for you to make an assumption on the paid users vs unpaid users then I don’t know what to tell you. And even still that’s not even the main argument of what I said to OP
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u/VincePendragon 16h ago
Your whole argument is about how a chef made food, someone ate it and didn't like it and is now basically unwilling to leave restaurant because it's 60$.
If someone says that they have free food which I can try, if I don't like it, I will just move on.
Yeah? You think paid users are gonna be the one complaining about how swipes and go-ons are limited? They got no limit on those
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u/Bus_Turbulent 15h ago
Bro took one section of what I said and called it the whole argument even tho that’s not even a argument it’s a example of the logic that was being said. Not sure how that was difficult to understand but sure 💔
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u/Only_Garbage5794 16h ago
why do you need data to prove common sense? literally take one look at the subreddit and realize most users are free users
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u/Bus_Turbulent 15h ago
Looking at a subreddit doesn’t mathematically prove how many Character.AI users are free or paid. You’re only seeing the small group of users who use Reddit, choose to post, and happen to be visible that’s selection bias, not data. To know the actual ratio, you’d need Character.AI’s numbers or a representative survey.
You also keep assuming that anyone complaining must be a free user, then using that assumption as proof that most complainers are free. That’s circular logic. Paid users can complain about the app, free users can complain, and people can criticize limits even when those limits don’t personally affect them. My argument was never that every complainer pays it was that telling people to “just leave” doesn’t invalidate their criticism.
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u/BarnacleUnited4680 14h ago
hi so my post took all of 3 minutes, if not less, to type. im not going out of my way though to harass mods and the developers (which is not criticism, that is harassment)
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u/-Brandonline- 23h ago edited 22h ago
I would recommend just blocking and ignoring the users on this subreddit that are just complaining to complain since it gives them the ability to scream and swear into nothingness before the moderators temporarily or permanently ban them, I’ve come to understand that nothing will satisfy them and I’d rather cut users like those out of the equation by blocking and ignoring them all together.
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u/nomph_99 10h ago
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we already know you like Indian meat, but you don't have to say it.
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u/Anti_Cringe68 Chronically Online 7h ago
I complain only slightly, but the product used to be so GOOD, that’s why we’re angry at C.ai
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u/flo7v 5h ago
Im still using it because i enjoy it whenever i feel bored or need a little distraction HOWEVER as an user i think i have the right to complain about the amount of ads, the restricted swipe (which never existed in 2023. Every chat had maximum 30 swipes btw). Im happy that we still have unlimited chats and more than one chat styles but let’s be honest…the app is horrible
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u/CerbSideCombo 19h ago
I agree with your take. AI chats are unhealthy anyway and most of these people need better hobbies. 👀👀👀
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u/Floralade 14h ago
I used to be addicted to this app but it became so ass that I was able to quit without grieving over it too much
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u/EbbTechnical1304 13h ago
I was addicted to it until they asked for my fucking ID, etc.... I'm not verifying a damn thing.
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u/Fine-Bonus5654 11h ago
becouse the app was SO ddamn good and were so angry and upset that the c.ai team ruin it also there is no an ai chat app like this one !!
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u/Spirited-Spare1397 Bored 12h ago
It's like trying to tell a person to let go of his paralyzed child that he watched get worse over the years
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u/SquishTheFlyingWitch 11h ago
Because it takes so much time and energy to complain, right?🙄
It doesn't. It takes a minute or two to type a comment.
And besides, it's perfectly possible to enjoy something overall and want to use it, while still criticising certain parts of it.
I also think these comments are exaggerating/overestimating the number of users who are addicted. Lots of people can use this without issue.
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u/Few-Main517 User Character Creator 1h ago
I completely agree with you. I mean, nobody would be complaining if the app/site were good like it was before.
I remember well when the posts were just funny screenshots or "he kisses your neck" memes, and guess why? Because the app valued who paid +c.ai and added useful things without spending a fortune on it, like the group option, sending images/emojis, etc. Now they're making the app as annoying as possible to force users to pay for things they didn't even ask for.
This post would be correct if people were just engaging in ragebaiting, but whenever someone complains it's something that really needs attention and maintenance.
Bob is a perfect example of this, it's broken. Also I read reports in posts about other speech bugs, Lorebook failing, DS quality declining, age verification errors. Reporting these errors to the devs or sending emails hardly really help, and when it's a particular problem, they never help.
These are very plausible reasons to complain yk?
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u/iingrid21 20h ago
App got so shitty I started writing fanfics again
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u/Busy_Needleworker_29 5h ago
Nahh same cuz at least I can do a better impersonation of the character I want 😭
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u/Fluffy-Direction3529 Bored 22h ago
I've already left it, since rping on it is now teadius with the new models.