There I was, morning coffee in hand, scrolling through social media. Someone had made a toy—an action figure—of themselves as a superhero. Created with AI. The design was cool. The idea is fun. The message is inspiring. I smiled. There was something playful, almost courageously childlike in daring to make yourself the hero of your own story.
And then came the comments.
“Oh my god, how silly.”
“Who do you think you are?”
“Embarrassing.”
“Get a life.”
It didn’t take long for that old, familiar Swedish shadow to creep in. The Jante Law. People who don’t create, don’t build, don’t even try—but who always have something to say about others who do.
To me, that’s typical. Typically Swedish. Typical of the 2020s. Typical of those who’d rather criticize than applaud. It’s not the AI toy they hate. It’s that someone else had the nerve to say: “I believe in myself.”
From Playful to Threatening – When Creativity Scares People
Creating a superhero version of yourself is, at its core, harmless, creative, and self-affirming. It’s reclaiming imagination, letting the inner child play. And we need that—especially in a world that’s become more cynical, more judgmental, more focused on productivity.
But that’s exactly why it triggers people.
Because what does it say about those who never dared to create? Who never allowed themselves to play, dream, fail, or be anything other than “reasonable”?
When someone has the courage to say, “I want to be the hero in my own story,” many respond not with admiration, but mockery. And that’s sad. Not for the person making the toy. But for those who’d rather sneer from the sidelines than join the fun.
Creativity is a Threat – To Those Who Are Afraid to Feel
I’ve met countless people with brilliant ideas, incredible capacity, and unique perspectives—only to see them crushed by environments where creativity is seen as suspicious. In Sweden, it’s fine to be good. Just don’t show it. Be ambitious—just don’t think too highly of yourself.
And sure, you can use AI for something “useful.” But for fun? For play? To make yourself a superhero?
Absolutely not.
But why? What is it that provokes people so much? I believe it’s about mirrors. When someone dares to step forward, it reflects back on those who won’t. And instead of being inspired, they’re threatened. Because that toy becomes a symbol. A reminder. Of what they never allowed themselves.
“It’s Just a Toy” – Or Is It?
No. It’s not just a toy. It’s a statement. It’s a “I get to exist.” An “I’m allowed to play, even as an adult.” It’s a rebellion against the unwritten law that grown-ups must be serious, efficient, and preferably a little bit boring.
And perhaps worst of all—it’s a rebellion against the Swedish norm of lagom. Not too big. Not too small. Not too much. Not too little.
But guess what? Life doesn’t get better when we all agree to be equally dull. Life gets better when someone dares to be bold. When someone says: “Here I am, and I’m the hero of my own life.”
AI Is Just a Tool – The Courage Lies in the Human
Let’s be clear: AI isn’t the villain. It’s a tool. Like a brush for the painter or a camera for the photographer. The fact that AI can now be used to create everything from texts to images to toys is nothing short of a creative revolution. It opens doors, lowers barriers, makes creation accessible to all.
But we have to accept that people will use it. To create things that are playful, weird, beautiful, self-centered, grandiose—or even… embarrassing. Because in that embarrassment—in that unfiltered expression—is where real creativity lives.
And you don’t have to like it. But you also don’t have to tear it down. Every time you mock someone who dares, you reveal how little courage you have yourself.
We Say Yes, When Others Say No
I know who we are. The ones who defy the norms. Who say yes to the weird. Who create even when no one asked us to. We’re the ones people call crazy, childish, self-absorbed. But you know what else we are?
We’re alive. We’re free. We keep the spark alive.
And to all of you who’ve made AI toys of yourselves as superheroes: I applaud you. Because you’re showing the way. Not so we’ll all do the same—but so we’ll all feel permitted to play, dream, and create.
In the End – A Choice We All Make
So next time you see someone doing something you don’t understand—ask yourself:
Is it really ridiculous?
Or is it just braver than anything you’ve done in a long time?
And to you sitting there scoffing at people making AI superhero toys of themselves: Do something better, then. Build something. Create something. Change something. Or stay quiet. Because the world needs more people who dare to create—not more people who only judge.
I’d rather be a ridiculous plastic superhero than a silent gray-scale critic.
By Chris...
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