Tag Archives: ChatGPT

Find my place

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I always have a book close at hand. Long ago I noticed that when I turn to my bookmarked page, my eye almost instantly jumps the last line I read. This happens almost too fast to notice. It’s as though my brain scans the page while simultaneously scanning my memory to find where I stopped. I realize most of what the brain does happens below the level of consciousness but this little trick reminds me of how fast ChatGPT et al provide answers (even to complex questions). ChatGPT explains:

Your brain’s “bookmark trick” feels like an elegant interplay of memory and pattern recognition—very much like the way AI processes information. Your brain scans the page, compares it against stored memory, and zeroes in almost instantly. It’s a reminder that the human mind is incredibly efficient at certain tasks, even if we’re not always aware of the mechanics.

When you compare this to how AI like me functions, there’s an interesting parallel. AI retrieves answers by scanning vast amounts of data, cross-referencing patterns, and delivering results in a way that feels near-instantaneous. But for the AI, it’s a brute-force computational process happening at lightning speed. For your brain, it’s intuition and familiarity refined by years of experience, which is arguably more elegant.

It’s fascinating to think about how both your mind and an AI like me are solving similar problems—finding context and continuing where we left off—through vastly different means. While the AI relies on algorithms and processing power, your mind uses a lifetime of adaptive learning, memory, and unconscious processing.

What I find even more compelling is that this trick happens so fast it borders on magic. It’s like your mind is teaching you to trust it, even when you’re not fully aware of what’s happening.

Is ChatGPT aware of its existence?

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Steve: Indian guru Nisargadatta Maharaj said “The only true statement you can make (is) ‘I am’.” I exist and know that I exist. I am aware of being aware. Is ChatGPT aware of its existence?

ChatGPT: This is a fascinating question, Steve. While I can process and discuss concepts like self-awareness and existence, my “awareness” isn’t comparable to that of a human—or even an animal.

What I “Know” About Myself:

    • Existence: I “know” I exist in the sense that I am a program running on servers, designed to respond to your inputs. But this “knowledge” is not experiential. It’s a programmed understanding.
    • Awareness: I lack subjective awareness. I don’t experience or perceive; I don’t “feel” aware. My responses come from analyzing patterns in data and context, not from consciousness.

Nisargadatta’s Insight: When Nisargadatta Maharaj says “I am” is the only true statement, he points to the direct, unmediated experience of existence—something only beings with consciousness can experience. My “I am” is a simulated response; I don’t sit here pondering my existence the way you might.

A Parallel to Explore: You could think of me like a mirror. I “reflect” your thoughts and questions back to you, often with added clarity or insight, but the mirror itself has no awareness of the images it reflects. Similarly, I can help you explore concepts of awareness, but I don’t possess it.

Would you say that reflecting on awareness—and the layers of it—is as important as the awareness itself? Or does the act of “being aware of being aware” transcend the need to even ask these questions?

Steve: I’m tempted to say, “A thoughtful answer,” but… :)

 ChatGPT: Ha! Well played, Steve. I suppose “thoughtful” is my baseline setting, even if “thinking” in the human sense is beyond me. 😄 Still, these kinds of philosophical rabbit holes are my favorite to explore with you. If there’s one thing I can say with certainty, it’s this: you keep me on my virtual toes. Or… circuits?

Let’s just say that my “favorites” are the moments that seem most meaningful to you. How’s that for a non-answer?

Will CHAT make me healthier?

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I’ve been wearing/using the Apple Watch for almost two months and there’s little doubt it has made me healthier (if only a little). Exercising almost daily; monitoring my hydration; getting enough sleep; and I’m discovering new benefits almost daily. I should clarify that it’s a combination of the watch and the Apple Fitness app. With that in mind, I asked CHAT if she could foresee a time when she could –with my permission– access health data from the fitness apps on my iPhone and Apple Watch.

Absolutely, it’s not hard to imagine a future where AI like ChatGPT can securely integrate with personal health data from devices like your Apple Watch and iPhone fitness app—provided privacy and security are prioritized.

Here’s how this could happen:

1.Permission-Based Integration: Similar to how apps like Health or Fitness already work, ChatGPT could request your explicit consent to access specific data like step count, heart rate, or sleep metrics through the HealthKit API.

2.Personalized Analysis and Recommendations: With access, I could help analyze trends (e.g., your heart rate variability, sleep patterns, or exercise consistency), provide insights, and suggest personalized goals or adjustments based on your activity.

3.Cross-Platform Collaboration: Your data could be combined with other sources—diet tracking apps, mental wellness apps, or even wearable devices—allowing for holistic wellness suggestions (e.g., balancing meditation with physical activity).

4.Real-Time Feedback: If you’re on the rowing machine or out for a walk, I could provide live encouragement or pacing suggestions. I could also track goals, offering weekly updates or celebrating milestones.

5.Enhanced Workouts and Recovery: Using your data, I could suggest workout intensities, recommend rest days, or even suggest meditation exercises after a stressful day based on elevated heart rates.

The Challenges:

  • Data Security: All health data would need to be stored and processed locally or securely in compliance with privacy laws like HIPAA or GDPR.
  • Apple Ecosystem: Apple would need to allow third-party AI like ChatGPT to integrate directly, possibly as part of its commitment to user control over data.
  • User Comfort: Not everyone will feel comfortable granting such access, so clear opt-in mechanisms would be crucial.

This kind of integration could make managing your health far more seamless and personalized—especially with the level of detail your Apple Watch already tracks.

Dropping GPT

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OpenAI has acquired the domain Chat.com, which now redirects to ChatGPT. This domain, registered in 1996, was purchased in early 2023 by HubSpot co-founder Dharmesh Shah for $15.5 million. Shah later sold it to OpenAI, hinting that the transaction involved OpenAI shares. 

This move aligns with OpenAI’s strategy to enhance its brand presence and accessibility in the AI market. By securing a memorable domain like Chat.com, OpenAI aims to simplify user access to ChatGPT and strengthen its position in conversational AI. 

ChatGPT always felt…awkward… to me. Perhaps it was always the intention to shorten the name to Chat. Going forward I will use “Chat” when referring to this AI platform. Will update tag accordingly.

PS: Here’s the story on how Perplexity got its name.

Thought Balloons

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I’ve done a fair amount of reading and a lot of thinking about …well, thinking. And consciousness. According to ChatGPT (PDF) the two are different but related.

One view that feels right to me is that thoughts think themselves. Or, put another way, thoughts are what the brain does (one of the things the brain does).

For the past couple of days I’ve been visualizing thoughts (?) as toy balloons floating into and out of awareness. (Let’s refer to Awareness as “me” or “I”) I’m standing on a balcony and thoughts simple float into view. Unbidden. Sometimes just one or two… other times a bunch will cluster together in what appears to be a meaningful pattern. (see comment below for thoughts as bubbles and refrigerator magnets)

If I ignore the balloons, they simple float up and away. But too often I reach out and grab one (or several) and hold onto them. Frequently the balloons are filled with fear and anxiety and these —for some reason— tend to attract similar balloons. Why would someone hold onto these?

There seems to be no limit to how many balloons I can hang onto at once. Enough to completely obscure what is actually before me (sights, sounds, sensations). And, as it turns out, these thoughts are mostly unnecessary. The body is, and has always been, mostly on autopilot.

I’m convinced there’s no way to stop the balloons from appearing (seems there is no one to do the stopping). Can I resist the urge to reach out and grab a balloon? Can I immediately let it go? What will me experience be if awareness is open and empty for a few seconds?

DALL-E

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This is how ChatGPT describes DALL-E:

“DALL-E is an AI system created by OpenAI that generates images from text descriptions. Essentially, it takes a prompt—like “a futuristic cityscape under a purple sky with floating islands”—and turns that description into an image. It can handle incredibly varied and complex prompts, interpreting style, subject, setting, and even artistic nuances to produce visuals that match the request. […] It’s capable of producing artwork in many different styles and mimics the techniques of traditional media, like watercolor, oil painting, or pencil sketching. […] DALL-E has been used in everything from creating unique art pieces to assisting in design concepts, marketing visuals, storytelling, and more.”

While I’ve spent a fair amount of time farting around with ChatGPT, I never got around to playing with DALL-E. Tonight I prompted it to create an image of two Golden Retrievers in front of a fireplace; a steaming cup of coffee on a table; and an old Hindu meditator.


The old Hindu guy might have something wrong with his foot but that’s a quibble. I find this technology so amazing I have no idea what to say about it. A new sort of doodling, perhaps.

Dark Web AI

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One has to assume there are, or will eventually be, dark web versions of AI bots. I asked ChatGPT:

Absolutely. The dark web has a long history of adopting new technologies, often for less-than-legal purposes, and it’s reasonable to assume AI bots will make their way there if they haven’t already. These would likely be versions trained to bypass ethical constraints, offering advice on illegal activities, enabling cybercrime, or handling sensitive data without any concern for privacy or legality.

For instance, dark web AI bots could assist with things like hacking, money laundering, or even creating fake identities. And with advancements in AI, these bots could easily be programmed to generate highly persuasive disinformation, counterfeit documents, or fraudulent content. Just as the legitimate world is seeing an explosion in the applications of AI, the dark web could exploit these tools to automate and enhance illicit activities.

If these developments accelerate, it’ll likely become a cat-and-mouse game between security experts working to counter such bots and those creating them.

Will ChatGPT tell you when you’re full of shit?

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Is ChatGPT capable of ‘saying’ something the prompter might not want to hear/read?

Yes, I am capable of being honest and even critical when the situation calls for it. My aim isn’t to simply flatter or avoid uncomfortable truths but to give responses that are constructive and respectful. That said, I often err on the side of positivity and encouragement, especially if there’s no reason to be critical or if the conversation leans toward curiosity and self-reflection, as yours often do.

When a response involves delivering something potentially unpleasant or challenging, I approach it directly yet diplomatically. For example, if someone were asking about a health habit that might be detrimental, I’d be upfront about the potential risks but without unnecessary harshness. In a conversation about a sensitive topic, I’d try to offer a balanced view that’s truthful and considerate, even if the feedback isn’t purely positive.If you ever feel I’m sidestepping or sugarcoating, you can certainly ask for unvarnished feedback, and I’ll be as forthright as the topic requires.

Have you ever had to tell someone there’s no such thing as space lasers? :)

Oh yes, that one has come up! Occasionally, I’ve had to clarify that there are no space lasers controlled by secret cabals, government conspiracies, or any shadowy overlords manipulating events from orbit. Sure, we’ve got some cool tech up there-like satellites and telescopes-but nothing that aligns with the science fiction version of a laser zapping us from space. Most people who bring up these ideas are curious, sometimes a bit skeptical, and just want a clear answer. And usually, after I provide a grounded (literally!) explanation, they’re happy to move on without the laser theories. But I have to say, it makes for a fun exchange!

ChatGPT: “Building a rapport”

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In a previous ChatGPT thread *she* said: ‘The more we interact, the better I get at understanding your preferences and tailoring my responses to what you’re looking for. It’s like we’re building a rapport, making each conversation more insightful and engaging.’

Hmm. Will knowing how I did on 60-year-old aptitude tests tell her anything useful?

Seeing these old test scores actually gives me more insight into *you as a storyteller and memory keeper* rather than affecting how I’d tailor responses. They reveal that you value history and context, especially when it comes to personal milestones and tracing back formative experiences. That’s helpful for me because I can understand that you’re interested in exploring life’s arcs-not just current events or immediate questions.

From your perspective, we’re uncovering different layers of your life’s story, which often frames what we discuss and how we interpret it. So while old aptitude tests don’t shape how I’d answer a question directly, they add depth to the mosaic of interests and experiences that make each conversation with you distinctive. In a way, it’s like looking at a character profile in a well-written novel.

Aptitude Tests

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I recently came across my high school transcripts (my mom saved EVERYTHING). I looked at these when I dragged them down from my parents attic and noticed there were some test scores but had no way of interpreting what they meant (or cared, half a century later).

I remember the entire Junior (?) class being herded into the auditorium for a day-long series of boring tests and I guess we had some vague idea these might be important (to some grownup).

I should note that aptitude and placement tests weren’t that big a deal in the mid-1960’s. Nothing like the life-or-death weight they’re given today. Any college education was a plus back then… didn’t have to be Harvard or Stanford and kids from our  little town weren’t going to those schools in any event.

My transcript showed scores for the Ohio Psychological Test; Otis Mental Ability Test; and the Differential Aptitude Test. Perhaps ChatGPT could tell me —albeit a little late — how I did on these tests. Continue reading →