Sometime, somewhere, you probably heard the advice to "just be yourself" when you are presenting or making videos, podcasts, or any other kind of presentation. For many of us this advice can still lead to feeling stiff or fake on camera or behind the microphone. In this episode, I explain why all communication is a form of performance (and also why that is not a bad thing!)

I borrow a concept from the world of acting to help you think about this differently. You are still YOU using this method... just a version of you adapted for the context of educating or connecting with your audience however you need to.

I also discuss the main difference between performing for a stage and performing for the intimacy of a camera. I go through the process of defining your own unique business character and to help you put all of this into practice, I created a free downloadable worksheet that will guide you linked below.

Resources Mentioned:

• Worksheet available free at HumanInternetTheory.com

=============================

==========================

==========================

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@humaninternettheory

Subscribe to this show's newsletter for additional resources and a free 3 page workbook when you join https://humaninternettheory.com

Produced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com

==========================

• https://linkedin.com/in/jdehaan
• https://tiktok.com/@jendehaan
• https://instagram.com/jendehaan_
• https://jendehaan.bsky.social

==========================

Your support will help this show continue. Funds will go towards hosting and music licensing for this show and others on StereoForest. This show is produced by an independent HUMAN artist directly affected by the state of the industry. StereoForest does not have any funding or additional support.

If you find value in our shows, please consider supporting them with a one time donation at https://stereoforest.com/tip

We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz

==========================

Jen's professional background is in web software technology (audio/video/web and graphics), working for many years in Silicon Valley. She has worked in instructional design, writing, marketing, and education in the creative space. She was also a quality engineer for awhile.

Jen became involved in performing, acting, and improv in 2015. She taught dance fitness classes (despite beginning with two left feet), performed in community theatre, and taught and...

If you have ever felt that wave of anxiety when you hit the record button, I want you to know you are not alone. In this episode, I talk about why so many of us are camera shy. I won't tell you to "fake it till you make it" in this one. Because I think it is more helpful to first understand the real reason behind this feeling!

I explain the science of why our brains react this way, which is a natural human response connected to a deep-seated fear of social judgment.

Once we understand "the why", we can build a practical plan to get comfortable. I walk you through a step-by-step process called desensitization. This method is all about starting small, and gradually building your skills and confidence. I share specific, low-stakes ways to begin practicing. The goal here is to create a personalized plan that works for you, allowing you to get your practice in and be forgiving with yourself along the way.

Resources Mentioned:

• Newsletter (with free workbook download!) at HumanInternetTheory.com

==================

==========================

==========================

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@humaninternettheory

Subscribe to this show's newsletter for additional resources and a free 3 page workbook when you join https://humaninternettheory.com

Produced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com

==========================

• https://linkedin.com/in/jdehaan
• https://tiktok.com/@jendehaan
• https://instagram.com/jendehaan_
• https://jendehaan.bsky.social

==========================

Your support will help this show continue. Funds will go towards hosting and music licensing for this show and others on StereoForest. This show is produced by an independent HUMAN artist directly affected by the state of the industry. StereoForest does not have any funding or additional support.

If you find value in our shows, please consider supporting them with a one time donation at https://stereoforest.com/tip

We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz

==========================

Jen's professional background is in web software technology (audio/video/web and graphics), working for many years in Silicon Valley. She has worked in instructional design, writing, marketing, and education in the creative space. She was also a quality engineer for awhile.

Jen became involved in performing, acting, and improv in 2015. She taught dance fitness classes (despite beginning with two left feet), performed in community theatre,...

Welcome to the first episode of the Human Internet Theory.

In this episode, I introduce the core idea behind this entire show. I'm responding to something you've probably noticed yourself... which is the huge increase in AI-generated content online. This idea has a name, the "Dead Internet Theory," which suggests that much of the internet is no longer human but is instead populated by bots: both generated and automated content. With recent news about thousands of AI-generated podcasts being created every week, this theory feels more real than ever.

I believe we, as creators, marketers, and educators, need a positive way to move forward. My response is the Human Internet Theory. It's an approach to creating content that focuses on what makes us unique: our thoughts, our point of view, our creativity, and our ability to truly communicate and connect. This show is about making things with a soul.

I'll be your host, Jen deHaan. With my background in technology and education, plus a decade of experience as a performer, I'm here to help you. We will explore how to be more human in a digital world. I’ll share practical steps to build your confidence, find your natural voice on camera or audio, and build real trust with your audience. This show is for you if you want to make your message more human and stand out in the sea of generated content.

Join me as we work to keep the internet a place for real human connection.

Join the Human Internet Theory newsletter & get a FREE workbook to help you create your business persona. https://humaninternettheory.com to grab the PDF.

This is just the introduction! I have another two episodes released so you can get started today.

==========================

RESOURCES MENTIONED

==========================

Paper on Dead Internet Theory: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.00007

About Sam Altman's Tweet: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/09/05/sam-altman-is-starting-to-see-the-dead-internet-theory/

AI-Generated Podcasts Article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ai-podcast-start-up-plan-shows-1236361367/

Dan Koe on the Meaning Economy: https://youtu.be/ni04Zp7mUMM

Visit my website for more: https://humaninternettheory.com

Produced by: https://stereoforest.com

==========================

==========================

==========================

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@humaninternettheory

Subscribe to this show's newsletter for additional resources and a free 3 page workbook when you join https://humaninternettheory.com

Produced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com

==========================

The week I recorded this trailer and my first episodes - the second week of September 2025 - Sam Altman had just tweeted “I never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now.”

And then a couple days later Inception Point AI announced they were going to generate 3000 new podcast episodes every week. With fake hosts. Calling anyone who doesn't like them "lazy luddites."

It's time to take the dead internet theory seriously, especially if you make things for the internet. So welcome to The Human Internet Theory, a podcast that takes the dead internet seriously and helps you create real human things online to stand out amongst this sea of generated "stuff".

Host Jen deHaan has a few decades background on the creative internet, and a decade of experience as a performer. She merges these two things and brings it to you with actionable steps to bring more humanity to what you create for your customers or students online.

This lazy luddite hopes that you believe in the undead human internet, and will subscribe to this new show (made by a human) and follow along.

Episodes 1-3 will drop next Wednesday, and then new eps drop every Wednesday after that.

==========================

==========================

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@humaninternettheory

Subscribe to this show's newsletter for additional resources https://humaninternettheory.com

Produced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com

==========================

• https://linkedin.com/in/jdehaan
• https://tiktok.com/@jendehaan
• https://instagram.com/jendehaan_
• https://jendehaan.bsky.social

==========================

Your support will help this show continue. Funds will go towards hosting and music licensing for this show and others on StereoForest. This show is produced by an independent HUMAN artist directly affected by the state of the industry. StereoForest does not have any funding or additional support.

If you find value in our shows, please consider supporting them with a one time donation at https://stereoforest.com/tip

We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz

==========================

Jen's professional background is in web software technology (audio/video/web and graphics), working for many years in Silicon Valley. Her focus has been in instructional design, writing, marketing, and education in the creative space. She was also a quality engineer for awhile.

As a side quest, Jen became involved in performing, acting, and improv. She taught dance fitness classes despite beginning with two...