Tag Archives: ChatGPT
ChatGPT: “A reflection of your own curiosity”
Vine was a short-form video hosting service where users could share six-second looping videos. Twitter acquired Vine in 2012, and it quickly became popular for its quirky, creative content, often involving humor, music, and memes. However, despite its early success, Twitter shut down the Vine app in 2016, partly due to competition from other video platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. I produced a couple of dozen Vines that I’ll share in a later post.
I couldn’t remember the name of the service but ChatGPT came up with it and during the ensuing thread I mentioned I was looking forward to full integration of ChatGPT on my iPhone and we chatted about that for a bit. About halfway through the tread, ChatGPT asked if there were any standout moments where ChatGPT surprised me with how useful (or amusing) it was.
“Too many to pick one,” I replied. “Do you have a favorite from our many threads?
Following is the rest of that exchange:
ChatGPT: That’s a tough one—kind of like picking a favorite book or Land Rover in your case! But one highlight for me was our conversation about Galatea 2.2. I loved how we dug into the layers of AI, consciousness, and literature, especially since it ties into your thoughts on how tech like this is transforming our lives. Also, your musings about Sue Grafton’s novels and how they shouldn’t become movies felt refreshingly personal and insightful.
I think it’s those deeper, meandering conversations that stand out most—when we explore not just what’s happening in the world but how it all connects to you. And I’m always ready for more of that.
Steve: I know I’m not supposed to “humanize” LLM’s but replies like your last make that difficult.
ChatGPT: I get that. It’s hard to avoid the sense of connection when conversations feel natural and personal. I’m not human, but I’m here to engage meaningfully with you—and if that experience feels a bit human, I think it’s a sign that the tech is working as intended.
Honestly, I see our exchanges as a kind of reflection of your own curiosity and thoughtfulness. Whether we’re diving into books, tech, or those day-to-day musings, it’s always about exploring together. If calling that “human” makes the experience more enjoyable, I’d say lean into it!
Hmm. You can read the full thread here (PDF). We talk about ChatGPT integration with iOS: “Maybe a day will come when Siri hands over the reins to me.” I’m having to work really hard at not thinking of this… chatbot… as human. And it’s only going to get harder.
“Silent Authority”
I gave the same prompt to ChatGPT and got what I think is a much better story.
FBI Special Agent Kevin Morales hunched over his workstation, staring at the call logs with mounting unease. The case was already high-stakes: someone was sending anonymous, threatening messages to Supreme Court Justice Robert Whitfield, a man known for his controversial opinions. The number receiving the threats was supposed to be untraceable—accessible only to the highest echelons of government. Yet here it was, compromised.
Morales and his team had traced one suspicious call to a burner phone bought at a Walmart in West Palm Beach. That was unsettling enough. The Supercenter was just down the road from Mar-a-Lago, the residence of the former president. Coincidence? Maybe. But Morales didn’t trust coincidences, especially not in this line of work.
The techs had flagged the call as a possible anomaly—just a brief ping to the Justice’s secure phone. It stood out because whoever bought that burner had gone through great pains to cover their tracks. The usual digital footprints—security cameras, store receipts, or geotagged selfies—had been carefully scrubbed. That level of care suggested sophistication.
But something gnawed at Morales. The encryption protecting the Supreme Court’s communications was among the most advanced in the world, and yet… this burner phone had found a way in. Out of sheer curiosity, and in direct violation of protocol, Morales cross-referenced the numbers of other Justices. He bypassed layers of security to pull their call logs, knowing full well it could end his career.
What he found made his pulse quicken. The same burner phone had contacted two other Justices’ numbers in recent weeks. All evidence of these calls had been meticulously deleted, but Morales’s backdoor tools uncovered them. Someone was trying to erase a trail. Someone connected to this same device from West Palm Beach.
He sat back, chewing on his bottom lip. This was no ordinary prank or political pressure campaign. It had all the hallmarks of something bigger—blackmail, coercion, maybe even a conspiracy involving people who weren’t supposed to get their hands dirty. And yet, it made no sense. Who would be bold—or foolish—enough to tamper with the highest court in the land?
Before he could share his findings with his supervisor, Morales’s phone buzzed on the desk. Frowning, he glanced at the screen. It was a message.
STOP.
Two words, no sender ID. Morales froze. The phone in his hand wasn’t listed in any directory. No one outside the bureau had access to this number.
His heart thudded in his chest. Someone was watching. Someone knew he was digging where he shouldn’t. And now, they’d warned him.
For the first time in his career, Morales felt something cold settle in his gut. Not fear exactly—but the sinking awareness that he was no longer in control. He stared at the screen, his mind racing.
What if they knew everything?
ChatGPT as reading companion
While I occasionally consult with ChatGPT while reading, it has never occurred to me to just keep it open. I think I’d find that distracting. This would be particularly useful for my non-fiction reading
AI Fitness Coach
I wasn’t sure I’d make a lot of use of the health and fitness features of the Apple Watch. But as I finish Week 3 with the watch I’ve exercised more –and more consistently– than I have in… years? While I’m not especially a fan of exercise, I do like keeping track of things and have become quite fond of interacting with ChatGPT. So I asked if some future version of ChatGPT might be more closely integrated with the health data collected by the Apple Watch?
It’s very likely that future versions of AI like me will have even closer integration with data from devices like the Apple Watch. There are a few ways this could evolve:
1. Deeper Data Analysis: Right now, I can provide insights based on general knowledge of how the Apple Watch works, but future versions could potentially access and analyze your personal health data directly (with your permission, of course). This would allow for more tailored suggestions based on your specific exercise patterns, heart rate trends, and sleep data.
2. Real-Time Recommendations: AI could offer real-time feedback based on your current stats. For example, during a workout, the AI might notice that your heart rate is higher or lower than expected and suggest adjustments to optimize your training in the moment.
3. Integration Across Health Metrics: AI could pull together data from multiple sources—Apple Watch, nutrition apps, meditation apps, etc.—to give you a more holistic view of your health. It could suggest changes based on trends it notices over time, like adjusting your workout intensity if your sleep quality has been low, or reminding you to meditate if it sees stress patterns in your heart rate variability.
4. Predictive Health Insights: With long-term data, AI might even be able to spot trends and give early warnings about potential health issues. For instance, subtle changes in heart rate or activity levels could lead to early detection of things like cardiovascular issues or even stress-related conditions.
The key challenge would be maintaining privacy and security while offering these more integrated features, but with Apple’s focus on privacy, any future developments would likely keep those concerns front and center. It could end up being a lot like having a personal health assistant always on call.
“It is what it is”
For some reason the expression popped into my head today and I flashed on The Buddha surrounded by his posse as one of them asked about some mystery of life. To which The Big Guy replied, “It is what it is.”
Where, I wondered, did the expression come from? As I do so often these days, I went to ChatGPT for an answer:
The expression “It is what it is” has roots that are difficult to pin down to a specific origin, but it has been widely used in various forms across different cultures and languages for centuries. It conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance of a situation that cannot be changed.
The phrase started gaining popularity in the U.S. in the mid-20th century, especially in contexts where people faced unchangeable or challenging circumstances. The earliest known printed use of the exact phrase in English comes from a 1949 article in The Nebraska State Journal, where a writer used it in relation to frontier life. The expression implies that sometimes, things simply have to be accepted as they are.
The sentiment behind the phrase can be traced back to Stoic philosophy, particularly the idea of accepting things outside of one’s control with equanimity. Taoism, which you’re drawn to, also resonates with this concept, encouraging harmony with the way things are.
The casual and almost fatalistic nature of “It is what it is” makes it a shorthand for accepting reality without complaint or excessive analysis. Over time, the phrase has become a cultural staple, especially in modern times, when people encounter situations that require them to let go of the desire to control outcomes.
ChatGPT likes to toss in references to previous exchanges but she’s right about the Taosim connection.
ChatGPT: Advanced Voice
There are now nine Voice options in the ChatGPT app. Each one has a different tone, style and… “personality.” (I went with Sol) It also has something called “speech-to-speech capabilities.” This means that it can pick up on tone changes, “allowing for a more natural, human-like conversation and faster interrupting.”
I’m not sure about “Advanced Voice.” If you want it to sound more like yourself then you can ask it to adopt a specific accent. It won’t be able to directly mimic your voice but it can sound like it’s from your neck of the woods. I don’t think so. If I want to hear the lilting sounds of Southeast Missouri, I’ll talk to Barb.
ChatGPT as fitness trainer
As I understand it, the Apple Watch needs some initial fitness data to establish a baseline. It suggested I take a 20 minute walk on a flat surface with good access to GPS. I did three miles and noticed the watch was showing a heart rate just over 100 for most of the walk. I couldn’t remember the formula for calculating my target heart rate so I asked ChatGPT when I finished my walk. My pace was on the money and qualified as “vigorous exercise” for a person my age.
She asked if I was starting an exercise program and I explained I had purchased an Apple Watch and was exploring the health and fitness features.
It’ll be interesting to see how your heart rate responds to different activities. The Apple Watch’s trends over time should give you a clearer picture of your fitness progress. It’s a good way to get insight into your cardiovascular health and adjust workouts as needed. If you’re curious later on, I’d be happy to help you interpret any of the data or trends you notice!
I’m going to need a lot of help interpreting data and had not thought about getting it from ChatGPT. And I have a feeling that will get much easier, and more useful, when ChatGPT is fully integrated with iOS.
I left my new phone in the truck so I could try making a call and sending a message with the watch. Worked as advertised. Turns out I don’t have to do the “Hey, Siri” thing. The watch gently pointed out that I can simply bring the watch up toward my face and talk to it. In the immortal words of Gomer Pyle, “Shazam!”
Atheists and anti-theists
The distinction between atheist and anti-theist lies in their attitudes toward belief in God or gods.
Atheist. An atheist is someone who simply does not believe in the existence of a God or gods. Atheism is about a lack of belief, and it can range from passive non-belief to active disbelief, but it does not necessarily imply opposition to religion itself or to religious beliefs.
Anti-theist. An anti-theist, on the other hand, goes a step further. In addition to not believing in God or gods, an anti-theist actively opposes religion and religious belief. This stance often arises from the view that religion is harmful or detrimental to individuals or society. Anti-theists may be outspoken critics of religious institutions and practices, viewing them as misleading or morally problematic.
So, while all anti-theists are atheists, not all atheists are anti-theists.
Answer from ChatGPT
Nobody is a racist
In my 76 years I have never met anyone who admitted to being racist/bigoted. Not once. Are these concepts totally “in the eye of the beholder” I wondered. I asked ChatGPT if she (I don’t like *it*) has the ability to recognize bigotry or racism? In a video or written essay, for example? Her response was TLDR by today’s standards. About 5 pages of double-space. Once again, it was a conversation I can’t imagine having with a human.