/for those not interested in new technology, the influence of that technology on writing, or our future overlords’ feelings about cat names and other topics, avert your eyes!
You may have seen recent discussions on ChatGPT, the new AI chat bot blazing its way across the internet.
We gave ChatGPT a college-level microbiology quiz. It aced it. – Big Think
I resisted for a few days and then gave in. Is it as good as they say? In my (admittedly limited experience), yes and no. Here are a few examples.
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I’ve written about AI-assisted writing before, but the models are getting markedly better. There are still hiccups like getting stuck mid-list due to an odd love for the word “Catrick” (on the way to “List the top one hundred humorous names for a cat” which, let’s face it, should be AI 101). “Catrick Stewart” yes, “Catrick Eddie Vedder” maybe not so much.
Other jobs it did quite well.
Need a “six-paragraph blog post explaining space elevators”? ChatGPT has you covered:
A space elevator is a hypothetical structure that would allow vehicles to travel from the surface of the Earth to outer space. The concept of a space elevator was first proposed by the Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1895, and has been explored in various forms by scientists and engineers over the years.
The basic idea behind a space elevator is to have a cable or tether anchored to the surface of the Earth and extending into space. This tether would be attached to a stationary platform, known as a counterweight, at the outer end. Vehicles, such as spacecraft, would then be able to travel up and down the tether, using electric motors to climb or descend as needed.
The main advantage of a space elevator over traditional rocket-based launch systems is that it would allow for much cheaper and more efficient access to space. Rockets require a large amount of fuel to lift off from the Earth’s surface and overcome the planet’s gravitational pull. A space elevator, on the other hand, would essentially be “riding” the Earth’s rotation to reach space, using a fraction of the energy required by a rocket.
However, there are several challenges to building a space elevator. One major challenge is the material that would be used for the tether. The tether would need to be incredibly strong and lightweight, as it would need to be able to withstand the enormous forces exerted on it by the Earth’s rotation and the weight of vehicles traveling along it. Additionally, the tether would need to be able to withstand the extreme temperatures and radiation found in space.
Another challenge is the cost and feasibility of constructing such a massive structure. The tether would need to extend all the way into space, potentially reaching an altitude of more than 20,000 miles. Building and maintaining such a structure would be a massive undertaking, requiring significant financial and technological resources.
Despite these challenges, the concept of a space elevator continues to be explored and studied by scientists and engineers. Some believe that the development of new materials, such as carbon nanotubes, could make the construction of a space elevator possible in the future. Until then, however, the dream of a space elevator remains just that – a dream.
― ChatGPT
Or perhaps you need “a blog post about interesting events in today’s history with a little humor”?
Today in history, we commemorate some truly fascinating events! For example, did you know that on this day in 1872, the world’s first international football match was played between Scotland and England? It ended in a 0-0 tie, but it was a historic moment for the sport and for Anglo-Scottish relations.
But that’s not all! On this day in 1859, the first professional football game was played in the United States. And in 1922, the tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered, sparking a renewed interest in ancient Egyptian history and culture.
But it’s not all serious business today. On this day in 1823, the first ever Christmas Eve office party was held in New York City. And in 1965, the first ever Yule Log was broadcast on television, providing a cozy and festive atmosphere for viewers at home.
So as you can see, there’s a lot to celebrate today! Whether you’re a sports fan, a history buff, or just looking to party, there’s something for everyone in today’s historical events. So let’s raise a glass and toast to another year of interesting and memorable moments in history!”?
― ChatGPT
But if you want “a hundred word story about a talking cat”? The results were perhaps less useful:
The talking cat was a curious creature. She would sit by the window for hours, watching the world go by and musing about the strange habits of humans. She had many questions, but no one to answer them. That is, until she met the little girl who lived next door. The girl was just as curious as the cat, and the two of them quickly became fast friends. They would spend their days together, the cat sharing her wisdom and the girl listening with rapt attention. And as the girl grew older, the cat was always there to offer guidance and support. They were an unlikely pair, but they were the best of friends.
― ChatGPT
And it completely choked on a few requests, like “write a poem where the last word in every line is a palindrome” (it ignored the palindrome request and just wrote a poem, same when anagrams were tested) and “What did Robert Heinlein say about signs of social change?”
I’m sorry, I am not able to browse the internet, so I cannot provide information on what Robert Heinlein may have said about signs of social change. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, my knowledge is based on the text that has been input into my training data, which has a cutoff date of 2021. I do not have the ability to browse the internet or access new information.
― ChatGPT
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As you can see, it also makes the production of a lot of text possible in a very short period of time. I have some ideas but finding ways to make it useful for fiction is still a work in progress, I think.
Although it did help me with ideas for dinner.
Mars Dinner Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dehydrated mashed potatoes
- 1 cup dehydrated mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 cup dehydrated beef or chicken
- 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion
- 1 tablespoon dehydrated garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
• In a small pot, combine the mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, beef or chicken, onion, and garlic. Add enough water to cover the ingredients, and stir to combine.
• Place the pot over a portable stove or heat source, and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the meat and vegetables are fully rehydrated and the potatoes are soft.
• Stir in the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot and enjoy your dinner on Mars!
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J.R. Johnson 
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