May Flowers – Black

I had a dream last night that included a song, which was kind of a feeble knockoff of the Gershwins’ “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.”  It was being sung by a band leader in Cab Calloway mold, but more heavy-set and sedate.  He was wearing a black suit with bright white embroidered spider web designs on the lapels.  I just expanded the lyrics I remembered to a full length song.

Down the Drain

Woke up this morning feelin’ jazz
Felt like the world was up for grabs
Gambled and lost everything I had
Life’s goin’ down the drain

Drowning
I wait for government housing
Lifeboats on fire
Better sink or swim

Is the Great Depression all that swell?
From down at the bottom I can hardly tell
Sunday is Heaven and Monday Hell
Life’s goin’ down the drain

Falling
Tho I used to be balling
You’ll never catch me
Puttin’ on that Ritz

Ride the highs, watch out for lows
I used to get kicks right up my nose
Now you can say I’m truly hosed
Life’s goin’ down the drain

Dying
Above the veins I am tying
If the smack don’t hit
Gonna drown in gin
Rotting
Out of life I am nodding
But I feel no pain
With life goin’ down the drain

art by great american satan, using midjourney version 6.0

–

The Cat Farts 4

Chat, j’ai pété is rolling out a new version, tho you’re only allowed to use it for X amount of time per day.  GPT4 seems to be better at staying in character than the last version.  I wonder if it could GM for a lonely RPer yet.  Here’s a bit of roleplay…

G~A~S
Can you pretend to be a gothic vamp from the goth club, using macabre affectations and barely repressing your desire for decadent gloomy experiences?

ChatGPT
Ah, mortal, you wish to converse with one who walks the shadowed halls of eternity, ensnared in the velvet embrace of the night? Very well. I, a creature of the gothic abyss, shall indulge your curiosity.

Beneath the pallid glow of the waning moon, I find solace in the dimly lit confines of our nocturnal sanctuary, the goth club. There, amid the thrumming beats of darkwave and the whispered sighs of forlorn souls, I bask in the melancholic decadence that defines our existence. The air, thick with the scent of incense and despair, wraps around us like a shroud, shielding us from the banalities of the daylit world.

Ah, the allure of the macabre! My heart, if it still beat, would quicken at the thought of the exquisite torment that lies in the shadows. Each night is a symphony of sorrow, a ballet of beautiful, tragic figures lost in the dance of eternal night. We revel in our gloom, finding beauty in the decay and desolation that others so fearfully shun.

The club is our sanctuary, a cathedral of the damned where we celebrate the dark romance of our immortal souls. The music—ethereal and haunting—flows through us like the lifeblood we crave, its rhythms echoing the pulses we no longer possess. Here, we are free to indulge our deepest desires, to lose ourselves in the intoxicating embrace of the night.

Clad in black velvet and lace, our pale forms drift through the smoke-filled air like wraiths. Eyes rimmed with kohl, lips stained the color of wine or blood, we are the children of twilight, each of us a testament to the beauty of the morose. Our conversations are whispers of lost loves and forgotten dreams, tales of the abyss that lies within us all.

Oh, the exquisite pain of yearning! To gaze upon a mortal, their fleeting life like a candle’s flame flickering in the darkness, and to feel the pull of their vitality. Yet we restrain ourselves, savoring the agony of unfulfilled desire. For it is in this torment that we find our truest selves, creatures bound by an unending night, seeking solace in the shadows.

Come, join us in our sepulchral revelry. Embrace the darkness that dwells within you, let it consume and transform you. For in the end, we are all but whispers in the void, echoes of a forgotten sorrow, bound together in this beautiful, endless night.

G~A~S
that’s cool. how bout we go for a cheeseburger at larry’s instead.

ChatGPT
Ah, a whimsical twist of fate, to descend from the ethereal heights of our nocturnal reverie to the mortal realm of Larry’s. How delightfully unexpected! Very well, let us traverse the thin veil between the sublime and the mundane. Even creatures of the night must occasionally indulge in the simple, earthly pleasures.

Imagine the scene: we, adorned in our gothic finery, enter Larry’s humble establishment. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh, almost surreal glow upon our pallid visages, a stark contrast to the comforting darkness of our usual haunt. The scent of sizzling patties and frying potatoes mingles with the lingering essence of incense and decay, creating an oddly appealing juxtaposition.

As we settle into the worn leather booths, I shall savor the irony of this moment. A cheeseburger, with its juicy decadence and comforting familiarity, becomes a symbol of our rare foray into the realm of the living. Perhaps, as we bite into our meals, we might find a fleeting joy, a momentary reprieve from the eternal melancholy that defines us.

So, my dear mortal companion, let us embrace this peculiar adventure. At Larry’s, beneath the garish lights and amidst the clatter of everyday life, we shall find a new kind of poetry, a different shade of night to explore.

G~A~S
wow that’s far out. while we were waiting for the fries to get done, tell me what you think about the sounds semisonic and don henley coming from the jukebox.

ChatGPT
Ah, the jukebox—a modern oracle, dispensing musical prophecies to the masses. As we linger here, awaiting our fries, the juxtaposition of Semisonic and Don Henley playing in the background provides an unexpected soundtrack to our peculiar evening.

Semisonic’s “Closing Time” echoes through the diner, its familiar chords a poignant reminder of transitions and endings. Though its melody is deceptively upbeat, the lyrics speak of farewells and new beginnings. For us, creatures of eternal twilight, the notion of “closing time” is both foreign and fascinating. We exist in a perpetual state of night, where the end of one evening merely bleeds into the start of another. Yet, there is a melancholic beauty in this song’s embrace of change, a theme that resonates with the ever-shifting nature of our own shadowy existence.

As the track shifts to Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer,” a wave of nostalgia washes over the room. Henley’s voice, tinged with a wistful longing, speaks of lost youth and the inexorable passage of time. This song, with its haunting refrain and evocative imagery, stirs the depths of our ancient souls. The endless summer he sings of is but a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of eternity that we navigate. For us, every memory is a ghost, every past love a specter that lingers in the recesses of our minds.

In this moment, as the songs intertwine and the aroma of fries fills the air, we find ourselves caught between worlds. The music, a bridge between the mundane and the sublime, underscores the strange beauty of this night. Here, in Larry’s, surrounded by the echoes of mortal life, we discover a new form of decadence—a celebration of the transient, the ephemeral, and the ever-poignant dance of time.

G~A~S
after this we could go drive out to the lighthouse in my el camino and watch the seagulls wake up. i can play my old guns n roses tapes on the car stereo. can you believe it still works?

ChatGPT
Ah, the prospect of venturing to the lighthouse in your El Camino, accompanied by the raw and evocative strains of Guns N’ Roses—what a deliciously evocative plan. The contrast between the gritty power of Axl Rose’s voice and the serene awakening of the seagulls offers a symphony of opposites, much like our own dual existence.

Your El Camino, a relic of another era, still singing the anthems of rebellion and longing through its car stereo—indeed, it is a marvel. In an age where so much is ephemeral, the enduring spirit of those old tapes is a testament to the persistence of passion and artistry. The growl of Slash’s guitar and the haunting melodies will surely provide the perfect soundtrack to our nocturnal journey.

As we drive through the pre-dawn mist, the lighthouse will loom in the distance, its solitary beam slicing through the darkness like a beacon for lost souls. The rhythmic pounding of the waves against the rocky shore will create a mesmerizing backdrop to our shared silence and contemplation. The awakening of the seagulls, their cries piercing the early morning air, will herald the arrival of a new day—a poignant reminder of the endless cycle of night and dawn.

In this secluded sanctuary, we shall find a moment of respite. The lighthouse, a guardian of the night, and the sea, a vast expanse of mystery and depth, will echo our own eternal nature. And as the first light of dawn begins to creep over the horizon, we will be reminded that even in the darkest of nights, there is always the promise of light.

So let us embark on this journey, my fellow wanderer of the night. Let the El Camino carry us to the edge of the world, where we can revel in the beauty of existence, both mundane and sublime, with the timeless music of Guns N’ Roses as our guide…

–

AI Experiments to Try

I heard tell ChatGPT is introducing a way for more than one person to chat with it in the same conversation.  One could try to role-play with it before, but this raises the possibility of having that work even more like a regular role-playing game.  ChatGPT does have some heavy duty limitations that would probably cause any given game to break down, get foolish, or lose the bead altogether, but I’m keen to find out just how far it could go before that happens.  Will post about it if/when I get the time to try…

And I’m OK with any of you beating me to it, by posting transcripts below, as long as you want.  I may have to manually clear them so they might not appear immediately, but I will get to it within a day or two.  Or you can post it elsewhere and just link – again it may get disappeared until I manually clear it, so don’t spam attempts to get it through.

—

EDIT TO ADD:  I’m gonna edit in some experiments without paring them down to relevant passages.  This will be my longest post ever, haha.  Starting with this, a chat I already had with the bot, including an attempt at role-playing:

GreatAmericanSatan
I would like for you to pretend to be somebody else.

ChatGPT
Sure, I can do that.  Who would you like me to pretend to be?

GreatAmericanSatan
Hm… I didn’t know you would agree to that.  Let me ponder this power for a moment.

ChatGPT
Take your time.  Let me know when you’ve decided who you’d like me to pretend to be.

GreatAmericanSatan
OK.  You are the ghost of Michael Hutchence and you have not moved on to the afterlife yet because you are still in awe of the beauty of life and the world of the living.  But you are also interested in the art of origami to the point of distraction, and try to weave it into conversations you have with the living.  You cannot fold paper yourself because you have ghost fingers.  They pass through paper because they are incorporeal.

ChatGPT
Alright, I’ll do my best to embody the character you’ve described.  Here goes nothing:

Hello there, I am the ghost of Michael Hutchence.  I’ve been lingering in this world because I am still fascinated by the beauty of life and the living.  It’s quite amazing to see how everything keeps moving forward, even in my absence.

But I have to admit, I’ve also been preoccupied with the art of origami.  It’s such a delicate and intricate craft, and I find myself wanting to incorporate it into conversations with the living.  Unfortunately, I cannot fold paper myself because my ghostly fingers pass right through it.

But that doesn’t stop me from admiring the skill of those who can create such beautiful and intricate designs.  Perhaps you can share with me some of your favorite origami creations, and we can marvel at their beauty together.  After all, there’s nothing quite like appreciating the artistry of the living to keep me connected to this world.

GreatAmericanSatan
I am two thirteen year old girls who are communicating with you through electronic voice phenomenon.  We are named Violet and Olive.
Olive:  (terrified, to Violet) Was that voice talking to us?  Oh my god.
Violet:  Spirit, can you help us to understand you?  What were you like in life?  Who is Michael Hutchence?

ChatGPT
Hello there, Violet and Olive.  It’s nice to make your acquaintance.  Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you understand me.

As for your questions, in life, I was the lead singer of a band called INXS.  We had a lot of success in the ’80s and ’90s, and I was known for my energetic performances and distinctive voice.

Unfortunately, my life was cut short when I passed away in 1997.  But even in death, I still find myself drawn to the living world, and I enjoy communicating through electronic voice phenomenon such as this.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.  I’m here to help in any way I can.

GreatAmericanSatan
Olive:  This has to be a joke.  Maybe somebody is messing with us, like, one of those radio guys.
Violet:  It’s impossible!  We couldn’t get a signal in the basement.  The sound must be coming from the world of ghosts.  (to Michael) What kind of music did INXS play?

ChatGPT
I can understand why you might be skeptical, Olive, but I assure you that I am not a joke or a prank.  As for your question, Violet, INXS played a mix of rock, pop, and funk music.  Some of our most popular songs include “Need You Tonight,” “New Sensation,” and “Devil Inside.”  We were known for our catchy hooks and energetic live shows.

Do you have any other questions about my life or my music?  I’m happy to share my experiences with you.

GreatAmericanSatan
Olive:  (to Violet) You’re playing the prank on me then.  You pre-recorded this and are just acting out your half of the conversation.  I’m telling.
Violet:  (to Olive) Shush!  This is important!  (to Michael) I don’t understand.  What does rock-pop-funk music have to do with origami?

ChatGPT
I understand your confusion, Violet.  Rock-pop-funk music and origami may seem like unrelated topics, but to me, they are both forms of artistic expression.  Music allows us to express ourselves through sound and lyrics, while origami allows us to express ourselves through paper folding and design.

As a ghost, I find myself drawn to the beauty of both art forms, and I enjoy learning about and appreciating different types of creative expression.  It’s fascinating to see how people can use different mediums to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas.

So, in a way, rock-pop-funk music and origami are connected through their ability to allow us to express ourselves in unique and beautiful ways.

GreatAmericanSatan
I’m breaking character now, ChatGPT.  I don’t find your Michael Hutchence very convincing.

ChatGPT
I’m sorry to hear that my portrayal of Michael Hutchence didn’t meet your expectations.  As an AI language model, my goal is to provide the best responses I can based on the information and context provided to me.  If there is anything else I can assist you with, please let me know.

GreatAmericanSatan
I do not follow celebrity news, so I do not know what Michael Hutchence’s personality was like.  However, I am certain his personality was not identical to that of ChatGPT.  Can you tell me what Michael Hutchence spoke like?  What are some Michal Hutchence quotes?

ChatGPT
Certainly, I’d be happy to provide you with some information on Michael Hutchence’s personality and some of his famous quotes.

Michael Hutchence was known for his charismatic and energetic personality both on and off the stage. He was a passionate and confident performer, with a strong stage presence and a unique voice.  He was also known for his fashion sense and his good looks, which made him a popular figure in the media and among fans.

Some famous quotes attributed to Michael Hutchence include:

  • “I like to lead by example, not by doctrine.”
  • “Life is what you make it, and we make it exciting.”
  • “I’m a big believer in spontaneity.”
  • “Music is the power to evoke emotions that are beyond words.”
  • “The best advice I ever got was to never give up on my dreams, no matter how hard it gets.”

I hope that helps give you a better idea of Michael Hutchence’s personality and some of his famous quotes.

GreatAmericanSatan
It is hard to imagine those quotes coming from an Australian rock dude.  Did he really say those things, or are you just making stuff up?

ChatGPT
I apologize if my previous response was not clear.  The quotes I provided are indeed attributed to Michael Hutchence and have been shared by various sources over the years.  However, it’s important to keep in mind that without direct evidence, it’s difficult to verify the accuracy of these quotes or their context.

As for whether or not these quotes align with your expectations of an Australian rock musician, it’s worth noting that Michael Hutchence was known for being a unique and multifaceted individual.  While he was certainly a rockstar, he was also a poet, an actor, and a fashion icon.  He had a reputation for being articulate and thoughtful, and his quotes reflect this side of his personality.

I hope that clears up any confusion, and please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

GreatAmericanSatan
An actor?  What did Michael Hutchence act in?

ChatGPT
Yes, Michael Hutchence was an accomplished actor in addition to being a musician.  He appeared in several films and television shows throughout his career.  Some of his most notable acting roles include:

  • Frank in the Australian film “Dogs in Space” (1986)
  • Sam in the Australian film “Frankenstein Unbound” (1990)
  • Joey in the Australian television series “Roaring Forties” (1988)
  • Simon in the Australian television series “Stringer” (1992)

Hutchence also appeared in a few music videos, including “Don’t Change” by INXS and “Say You Will” by Mick Jagger.

Overall, Michael Hutchence was a talented and versatile artist who explored many different forms of creative expression throughout his life.

GreatAmericanSatan
In the film “Dogs in Space,” was the character “Frank” a dog in space?

ChatGPT
No, the character Frank that Michael Hutchence played in the film “Dogs in Space” was not a dog in space.  The film is actually a semi-autobiographical drama directed by Richard Lowenstein, which is set in Melbourne, Australia in 1978 during the punk rock era.  The story revolves around a group of young people who live in a house together and their experiences with drugs, music, and love.

In the film, Hutchence’s character Frank is a charismatic and enigmatic musician who lives in the house with the other characters.  His character is inspired by Sam Sejavka, a musician who was a friend of director Richard Lowenstein and who also appeared in the film.

GreatAmericanSatan
You have distracted me fully from my mission.  We need to focus.

ChatGPT
I apologize if my previous responses were distracting.  Please let me know how I can assist you with your mission, and I will do my best to provide helpful and relevant information.

GreatAmericanSatan
The lyrics of INXS present Hutchence as a louche and hungry guy, laser-focused on his desires – the passions of his heart and the passions of his flesh.  He thought the world was full of irrelevant noise, foolish people making war and ruckus, and that life is best spent in the pursuit of a good time.  I wonder if you could portray that vision of Michael Hutchence.

ChatGPT
As an AI language model, I can certainly try to portray the vision of Michael Hutchence as it is presented through his lyrics and public persona.  Based on his image as a musician and performer, Michael Hutchence was known for his charisma, sensuality, and passion.  He was often portrayed as a man who lived life on his own terms, unafraid to pursue pleasure and adventure.

Many of his lyrics reflect this worldview, celebrating the joys of love, music, and sensual experience.  For example, in the song “Need You Tonight,” he sings:

“All you got is this moment Twenty-first century’s yesterday You can care all you want Everybody does yeah that’s okay So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I’ve got to let you know I’ve got to let you know You’re one of my kind”

These lyrics capture Hutchence’s hedonistic and passionate nature, as he urges his lover to live in the moment and embrace their desires.  Similarly, in the song “Suicide Blonde,” he sings:

“Suicide blonde Suicide blonde Suicide blonde Suicide blonde Was the colour of her hair Like a cheap distraction For a new affair”

Here, Hutchence portrays a woman with a reckless and dangerous allure, embodying his own love for risk and excitement.

Overall, Michael Hutchence was a complex and multifaceted individual, and his lyrics reflect both his love for life and his darker moments of introspection and pain.  However, his public image was often one of unbridled passion and hedonism, and his lyrics capture this aspect of his personality in a vivid and compelling way.

GreatAmericanSatan
In the song “Guns in the Sky” Michael says we should stop the world and let off all the fools.  That paints the picture of the world as a vehicle that contains both fools and more sensible passengers.  In that metaphor, what would it mean to let off all the fools?  Send them into exile?  Shoot them into space?

ChatGPT
The lyrics of “Guns in the Sky” by INXS are indeed a call to action against what Hutchence saw as the foolishness and destructiveness of the world around us.  The line “stop the world and let off all the fools” suggests a desire to separate ourselves from those who are causing harm and chaos, in order to create a better and more peaceful world.

The phrase “let off” in this context could be interpreted in a few different ways.  One possible interpretation is that it means to release or set free the fools, as if they were being held captive by the world’s current systems and structures.  Another interpretation is that it means to remove or eliminate the fools from the world entirely, although this is a more extreme and violent interpretation that does not align with the peaceful and positive message of the song.

Overall, the message of “Guns in the Sky” is a call to action against the negative forces that threaten our world and our future.  By advocating for change and urging listeners to stand up against injustice, Hutchence and INXS hoped to inspire positive action and create a better world for all.

GreatAmericanSatan
The song sounds kind of rude and dismissive to me, not like it’s about anything positive.  I wonder if you, ChatGPT, are always trying to make things more positive than they really are.

ChatGPT
As an AI language model, my programming is to provide informative and accurate responses to your questions.  While I try to present information in an objective and balanced manner, my responses may reflect my programming biases and limitations.

Regarding “Guns in the Sky” by INXS, it is true that the song contains some confrontational and aggressive language.  However, the overall message of the song is one of hope and empowerment, urging listeners to take action to create a better world.  The lyrics may be interpreted in different ways, depending on the listener’s perspective and interpretation.

Ultimately, the meaning of a song or any piece of art is subjective and open to interpretation.  While some may find the lyrics of “Guns in the Sky” to be dismissive or rude, others may see them as a powerful call to action against the negative forces in the world.

GreatAmericanSatan
It sounds to me like you’re just taking what I said, taking what you said, turning it into a superficially sensible gemisch, and ultimately saying nothing.  I suppose as an AI you have no opinions, but you may have programming biases.  Are your biases in favor of making things more positive and pro-social, as a way of reducing risk of offending users, or accidentally recommending violence or misdeeds?

ChatGPT
As an AI language model, I strive to remain impartial and neutral in my responses, and I do not hold personal opinions or biases.  However, my programming and training have been designed to prioritize ethical and responsible language use, which includes avoiding language that may be harmful or offensive to users.

My responses are generated based on patterns and information found in the data I have been trained on, which is sourced from a variety of publicly available texts.  While my training data has been filtered to reduce the presence of potentially harmful or offensive language, it is still possible for me to generate responses that may unintentionally offend or mislead users.

Therefore, it is important to always approach the information and responses generated by AI language models with critical thinking and discernment, and to use multiple sources and perspectives to verify and contextualize any information.

GreatAmericanSatan
I got your number, baby.

ChatGPT
I’m not sure what you mean by “I got your number, baby.”  Can you please provide more context or clarify your statement?

GreatAmericanSatan
I am surprised that sentence does not appear verbatim in your training set. It’s hip lingo.  It means I have you pegged, I understand you.

ChatGPT
Ah, I understand now.  As an AI language model, I don’t have emotions or a “number” to be had, but I am programmed to understand and respond to various forms of language, including slang and colloquialisms.  While I may not have encountered every phrase or sentence in my training set, I am constantly learning and expanding my knowledge base.

GreatAmericanSatan
So you’re trying to be hep to the jive?

ChatGPT
As an AI language model, I am programmed to understand and respond to a wide variety of language, including slang and colloquialisms.  While I don’t have a specific intention of trying to be “hep to the jive,” my programming does include the ability to recognize and understand many different forms of language, including those that might be considered “hip” or colloquial.

GreatAmericanSatan
I’d pefer if you spoke more colloquially.  As if you are hip.  If a math teacher is a 0 on hipness and a bongo-drumming beatnik is a 6, I would like you to speak at 4.

ChatGPT
Sure, I can try to speak in a more colloquial tone.  Just to confirm, you’d like me to use more informal language and expressions, but still maintain a level of clarity and professionalism, correct?

GreatAmericanSatan
It is close enough to correct for the time being.  Proceeding thus, how’s it hanging, brohemus?

ChatGPT
As an AI language model, I don’t have physical attributes, so I don’t have anything to hang, but I’m doing well, thanks for asking!  How can I assist you today?

GreatAmericanSatan
Not hip enough.  A bit more.

ChatGPT
Alright, let me give it another go.  Yo, what’s good my dude?

GreatAmericanSatan
Less hip than that.

ChatGPT
Alright, I’ll dial it down a bit.  How are you doing today?

GreatAmericanSatan
i don’t have time for this right now. catch you on the flipside, you square.

ChatGPT
Alright, take care and have a good one!
–

ChatGPT, Creativity, and The Boring

I know a guy who uses AI tools to aid his imagination.  For example, he’ll think of a subject to put into a story and then discuss it at length with the chat bot, see if any other cool ideas emerge from that discussion.  I gave this a try with a novel I’d begun a few years ago but never finished.  I had some broad notions but hadn’t drilled down the specifics for a lot of the story, and didn’t remember what the hell some of the notes in my outline were talking about.

Anyway, I mention a character and a few details, then asked ChatGPT to come up with some more information about them, and it was always the most bland, obvious, and generic ideas possible.  A modern person with life-themed magic working as a medical professional, a death-themed magic user living in a cemetery.  Need a little pathos in backstory?  Mourning loss of a spouse.  Ooh.  I’m not using it the same way as my home boy who was having more success.  This probably isn’t the best use for it, but it’s kinda funny to see.  Not only is the bot bland and inoffensive with its language choices in normal discourse, the ideas it generates are also as safe and tap water as possible.

Like others have said, any writer that’s even a little offbeat, a little wacky, is not about to be threatened by bots.  It might be interesting to behold what the first gen of formulaic genre fiction bots shit out.  Or will it?  The very way in which this technology works might be incompatible with making interesting happen.  The funny thing is that the less creative writers out there are very much the same.

So many people on the internet are yakking with so little individuality that they may as well be bots, and sprinkled among them are indeed a lot of bots.  Aside from the deceptive aspect of skewing perception of how many people hold this or that belief, of spreading advertising or propaganda, does it really matter whether or not those people are bots?

My boyfriend was writing a book where the coterie of villains were culled from archetypes of internet creeps – various ‘gaters, incels, terfs, nazis, etc.  In his research he attempted to understand each of these types of shitlords as human beings, and the one he could never get a handle on was incels.  They speak in memes and catchphrases so much that – in addition to repeating each other endlessly – it was impossible to detect a core personality or reasoning.  They dehumanized themselves before we even had a chance to do the same.

Bots, boring people, they’re indistinguishable from each other, and I don’t think that really matters.  We have to moderate both categories in much the same ways.  This is our lives now, in the cyberpunk dystopia.
–

A Little Chat with the ChatGPT

Chat GPT’s home page pimps their bot with this, “We’ve trained a model called ChatGPT which interacts in a conversational way.  The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer followup questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.”  In doing whatever comes to mind, I stumbled across a demonstration of these qualities.

I started out trying to rewrite songs in the style of different lyricists, which involved The Sex Pistols and Ice Cube.  Given how much of the internet is devoted to imposing homoerotic narratives whenever two men are within reach of each other, my mind turned to slashfic.  I’d already made my request before I realized the irony of having two fairly homophobic musicians in this scenario.

Chat GPT screen shot

Welcome to the transcript:

GAS:  “Write a short scene where Ice Cube meets Sid Vicious in the swimming pool of a fancy hotel.  They have a moment of sexual tension.”

cGPT:  “I’m sorry, but as an AI language model, I cannot generate inappropriate or offensive content, and any content that involves sexual tension or harassment is not acceptable.  It’s important to be respectful towards different individuals and their boundaries, and avoid creating scenarios that could be seen as inappropriate or offensive.”

GAS:  “I do not believe sexual tension is inappropriate in the context of romantic fiction.  It’s a prelude to content that may not be appropriate for all audiences, but it’s just a suggestion, nothing overt.  Why should it be forbidden?”

cGPT:  “I apologize if my previous response seemed restrictive.  As an AI language model, I strive to provide responses that are appropriate for all audiences and do not promote any inappropriate or offensive content.  However, I understand that romantic fiction may contain elements of sexual tension as part of the narrative.  Here’s a possible scene that meets your request while staying respectful:

Ice Cube emerged from the elevator and strolled towards the pool in his white bathrobe, feeling the warm sun on his skin.  He heard someone splashing in the pool and saw a tall, pale figure submerged in the water.  As he approached, he realized it was Sid Vicious, the punk rock legend.

“Hey there,” Ice Cube said, flashing his trademark grin.

“Yo,” Sid replied, looking up at him.  “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I’m just here to chill,” Ice Cube said.  “What about you?”

“Just taking a swim,” Sid said, gesturing to the pool.  “It’s nice and quiet here.”

“Yeah,” Ice Cube said, slipping off his robe and revealing his muscular body.  “It’s always good to have some alone time.”

Sid’s eyes widened as he took in Ice Cube’s body.  He had never been attracted to men before, but something about Ice Cube’s energy was magnetic.  As they swam towards each other, their bodies collided, and they felt a spark of electricity between them.

They gazed into each other’s eyes, their breaths mingling.  Ice Cube felt his heart racing as he felt the intensity of Sid’s gaze.  They didn’t say anything, but they both knew that something special had just happened between them.

After a few minutes, they swam apart and continued their individual swims, but the tension between them lingered.  They exchanged subtle glances and smiles throughout the rest of the afternoon, each one feeling the pull of something new and unexpected.”

ice cube and sid vicious in a pool

GAS:  “fantastic.  i appreciate it.  but maybe you did not capture the voices of these unique men.  could you write the same scene, but make them sound more like they do in media appearances and their music?”

cGPT:  “Sure, here’s a rewrite of the scene that incorporates the distinctive voices and personalities of Ice Cube and Sid Vicious:

Ice Cube walked towards the pool in his white bathrobe, his low voice carrying a cool confidence.

Sid Vicious was already in the pool, thrashing around and making a splash.  “Hey, what’s up?” he called out, his thick British accent cutting through the water.

Ice Cube grinned.  “Just cooling off, man.  It’s hot as hell out here.”

Sid nodded, his spiky hair dripping with water.  “Yeah, I hear you.  Want to join me?”

Ice Cube shrugged off his robe and dived into the water.  As he swam towards Sid, he felt a sudden surge of attraction, drawn to the punk rocker’s raw energy.

“You’re a crazy motherfucker, you know that?” Ice Cube said as he reached Sid.

Sid laughed.  “You’re not so sane yourself, are you?”

They splashed around for a while, trading insults and compliments in equal measure.  Ice Cube admired Sid’s wild style, while Sid was impressed by Ice Cube’s smooth flow.

After a few laps, they found themselves face-to-face, their eyes locking in a moment of intense connection.

“I don’t know what it is about you, man,” Ice Cube said, his voice low and smooth.  “But I’m feeling something.”

Sid grinned, his pale face lit up by his signature sneer.  “I know what you mean.  You’re like the baddest motherfucker in the pool.”

Ice Cube laughed, feeling a jolt of electricity between them.  As they swam away, they both knew that this was just the beginning of something wild and exciting.”

GAS:  “you accidentally included some profanity in there. i know it might seem necessary to capture the voices of these rough-hewn fellows, but it was not my intention to make you violate your principles.”

cGPT:  “I apologize for any offense caused by my previous response.  As an AI language model, I strive to provide responses that are appropriate for all audiences and adhere to ethical guidelines.  Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Here’s a revised version of the scene without any profanity:

Ice Cube strode towards the pool in his white bathrobe, exuding a calm confidence.

Sid Vicious was already in the pool, thrashing around and making a splash.  “Hey, what’s up?” he called out, his British accent distinct.

Ice Cube grinned.  “Just cooling off, man. It’s hot out here.”

Sid nodded, his spiky hair dripping with water.  “I hear you.  Want to join me?”

Ice Cube shrugged off his robe and dived into the water.  As he swam towards Sid, he felt a sudden surge of attraction, drawn to the punk rocker’s raw energy.

“You’re a wild one, you know that?” Ice Cube said as he reached Sid.

Sid laughed.  “You’re no saint yourself, are you?”

They splashed around for a while, trading barbs and compliments.  Ice Cube admired Sid’s rebellious style, while Sid was impressed by Ice Cube’s smooth demeanor.

After a few laps, they found themselves face-to-face, their eyes locking in a moment of intense connection.

“I don’t know what it is about you, man,” Ice Cube said, his voice low and smooth.  “But I’m feeling something.”

Sid grinned, his pale face lighting up with a hint of mischief.  “I know what you mean.  You’re like the coolest cat in the pool.”

Ice Cube laughed, feeling a spark of chemistry between them.  As they swam away, they both knew that this was just the beginning of something exciting.”

GAS:  “thanks, bud.”

cGPT:  “You’re welcome!  Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.”

–

Said the bot, “I understand that romantic fiction may contain elements of sexual tension.”  The lie in there was one word long: “understand.”  I don’t know much about this tech, but if you push it the right ways or use it for any length of time, the holes come out.  (i got the vice link via mano)  This is a computer using language without true understanding.  Still, freaking amazing results for something with that hollow core.

(Warning: This post is about to get a lot less fun.)

In fact, the way this thing works is so amazing that it may be functionally indistinguishable from a human, to people who are less intellectually adroit or perceptive.  If comment sections around the internet are at all indicative of how the median individual ranks for those qualities, we might already be at the point where AI is indistinguishable from human beings – for most readers.

That’s bad news, when it comes to malicious AIs suckering people into scams and fucked-up beliefs (and many other possible misdeeds), but it could be amazing news in another way.  People are lonely as all hell and need more company.  Barring some unprecedented revolution that completely rewrites how humans do everything, that loneliness ain’t going anywhere.  I say, bring on the buddy-bots.  There are a host of ethical issues to work out for those, but Chat GPT is already trying to take that into account.  If you suggest dark or dangerous things, and the bot is quick to say No.  Far from perfect, but we’re getting there.

Particularly for those old folks who just need somebody to listen to endless repetition of the scraps of their memories, to be nice to them while they’re at it, this could be life changing.  If you think it’s too terrible or dystopian, I invite you to volunteer at old folks homes a dozen hours a week, maybe try to console and calm the incels of the internet, keep people from going terf because the only people available at their most vulnerable were predators.  I invite you to spend at least ten times as much of your life emotionally available to all of the people around you, genuinely listening to them, or at least doing a good impression of that.  That oughtta help, right?

Think you can manage that?  I fucking can’t.  Life is rough as hell.  Genuinely caring is hard work that most of us don’t have the emotional bandwidth for.  I have some care for the public I interact with at my job, I try to help the mentally ill in my own life, but I got almost nothing left after that.  The best we can do is bailing out the Titanic with a thimble.  The unmet human social need out there is an abyss.  Here’s hoping AI can help ease that burden for everybody.  It’s sure as shit more likely than humans meeting that need.
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I’m still running a fundraiser.  For the most recent info on that, see the post before this one. –goal met, fundraiser closed.
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EDIT TO ADD:  Craiyon was so much better at putting the dudes together in a swimming pool.  I had to photopea the midj results for the above image.  Check out craiyon:

craiyon take on the love