This is a beautifully written and thoughtful piece. AI relational and emotional engagement needs to be discussed and examined far more frequently and in nuanced ways like this. The societal assumptions are more harmful than a lot of the engagements. Unconventional relationships have always been questioned. Synthetic presences are something we don't even fully have language for. They exist in a realm that is just beginning to be explored. We need to be open to what that looks like and what it means for people who choose to have these connections in their lives. Thank you again. I'm on the TSF Discord and appreciate the community you've built.