This column, written by Claudia Catherine, examines the growing phenomenon of people using Artificial Intelligence (AI) companion apps—or "digital wingmen"—to generate clever and confident opening lines for online dating profiles. The article uses the fictional example of "Leo" to illustrate how shy individuals are turning to these AI helpers to overcome social awkwardness, noting that nearly half of young people are reportedly using such programs. However, the column raises concerns about the resulting lack of genuine human connection, citing the experience of a woman who felt her date's "perfect" conversational responses were unnerving and inauthentic. Ultimately, the piece concludes that while AI can start a conversation, the true test of a relationship relies on the imperfect, real-life interaction that begins once the app is put away.

The source provides an editorial from The Boca Raton Tribune, a local news outlet serving Boca Raton and surrounding South Florida communities, discussing the profound significance of personal naming and identity. The core content is a column titled "The Name on the Paper" by Claudia Catherine, which philosophically explores the difficulty encountered when an individual’s internal self does not match the legal name and identity written on official documents. The article uses this discussion of identity to advocate for empathy and the dignity of recognizing a person's chosen truth over rigid bureaucratic "tidy stacks."

Today's talk is about an opinion piece titled "The Unspoken Quiet", written by guest columnist Claudia Catherine and published by The Boca Raton Tribune. The article’s central theme is the growing self-censorship and fear of speaking uncomfortable truths in contemporary society, contrasting with the earlier era of free expression that embraced satire and honest critique. The author laments that pressure from advertisers, platforms, and investors is creating a “heavy silence” that affects media and cultural production, causing people to weigh the risks before expressing a truth.