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PaperclipPerfector  15d ago (text post)   2462 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for February 7, 2025

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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AI can be fun too. Grok seems to have real-time access to the internet / the motte.

Asking Grok, 'What person from history most matches views expressed?'

Given the breadth of topics @hydroacetylene engages with on The Motte and the analytical, sometimes contrarian approach to discussion, one historical figure they might most closely match in style and substance is Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet, 1694-1778).

Based on the views expressed by @AvocadoPanic on The Motte, particularly regarding the interpretation of Christian teachings and a critique of modern interpretations of Jesus' actions and words, one historical figure whose views might resonate is John Calvin.

Given @Amadan 's sharp wit, engagement with philosophical and ethical questions, and a penchant for challenging the status quo or popular narratives, a historical figure they might resonate with is Diogenes of Sinope.

I guess as a fan of stoicism, I'm cynic-adjacent and Diogenes does resonate. But I can't take this very seriously, it looks kind of like an astrological reading (something flattering yet vague enough that it could match to almost anyone).

Grok seems to be schizophrenic when it comes to me. I put in the prompt and asked it to analyse my posts on TheMotte, and asked the question three times. I got Herbert Marcuse the first time (lol), Thomas Sowell the second, and George Orwell on the third go. These are all people with wildly varying politics on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Then I asked it to give me an ancient historical figure and it spit out Thucydides.

Don't have Twitter, would you mind asking about me?

Sure thing. I asked Grok to cite examples from your posts.

If I had to choose one historical figure whose ideas align most closely with ArjinFerman's posts based on the information provided, it would be Ivan Illich. Here are some samples from ArjinFerman's posts that support this connection:

Critique of Modern Technological Systems: "I can actually agree with some of the Ludditism, but I'd argue we need to go back to 1920 or so and ban all sorts of propaganda, mass media and advertising." This reflects Illich's critique in "Tools for Conviviality" where he advocates for tools and systems that enhance human autonomy and creativity rather than those that lead to dependency or dehumanization. Skepticism Toward Institutional Growth: "I didn't really make up my mind how far back to turn the clock to, but I like the way you think." Here, ArjinFerman expresses a desire to undo some advancements, focusing on the negative impacts of institutionalized technology, similar to Illich's views on how institutions like schools and healthcare systems have grown beyond their beneficial limits. Desire for Societal and Technological Conviviality: The mention of Ivan Illich directly in one of the posts, "Have you read this book by Ivan Illich? ... I think I only saw references to Illich from other writers, but I never read him directly. The wiki synopsis is very interesting, definitely sounds like a man after my own heart." This shows a clear alignment with Illich's philosophy, particularly his idea that technology should serve to make life more convivial, not more controlled or oppressive. Critique of Consumerism and Propaganda: "I think technology should be developed in a way that helps us grow as people, rather than makes us succumb to naked consumerism." This echoes Illich's concern over how modern technology and institutions can lead to a form of social control rather than liberation, a theme central to his works like "Deschooling Society" and "Medical Nemesis".

These samples illustrate ArjinFerman's alignment with Illich's critique of modern institutions, technology, and the need for a return to or development of systems that enhance human conviviality and autonomy. While ArjinFerman might not strictly adhere to all of Illich's ideas, the spirit of questioning the unchecked growth of technology and its societal implications is quite evident.

Thanks!

Meh... Like Grok says, someone already recommended Illich to me, under the very post he's quoting, so not really a new insight.

New insights from AI may be asking too much. I think it may look at very few posts.

Here are three historical figures with brief examples from ArjinFerman's posts:

Aldous Huxley: Example: "I can actually agree with some of the Ludditism, but I'd argue we need to go back to 1920 or so and ban all sorts of propaganda, mass media and advertising." - Reflects Huxley's warnings in "Brave New World" about control through media and comfort.

Jacques Ellul: Example: "I think technology should be developed in a way that helps us grow as people, rather than makes us succumb to naked consumerism." - Mirrors Ellul's critique of technology dominating human life, as discussed in "The Technological Society."

Herbert Marcuse: Example: "I like the way you think about going back to a time where technology wasn't used to manipulate us." - Aligns with Marcuse's critique of one-dimensional thought and the manipulation of needs in "One-Dimensional Man."

New insights from AI may be asking too much

I dunno, somewhere in it's training data there should be something I haven't heard of. I'd even say the Jacques Ellul connection counts.

I think it may look at very few posts.

It turns out that Deepseek now also has a search option, and that seems to be one of it's limitations, it just looks at the latest posts. By contrast Grok seems to be obsessed with that one comment of mine. I wonder if it parses the upvotes, or AAQC's.

Ha I like this! I got Murray Rothbard.

I asked for other close matches,

  • Lysander Spooner
  • Ayn Rand
  • Ludwig von Mises
  • Friedrich Hayek
  • David D. Friedman

And now I'm blushing.

It gave me Thomas Sowell, and when I asked for others it suggested Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman. Apparently I missed my calling as an economist.

They all seem pretty generic fortune cookie cold reading. Can you press it for quotes to see if it's hallucinating?

You can, I did for myself. At least for me it wasn't a hallucination.

I wouldn't necessarily know if it was hallucinating for others.

Content of Posts: AvocadoPanic has commented on: The portrayal of Jesus in Christianity, particularly critiquing how "Big Eva" (likely referring to big evangelical organizations or the mainstream evangelical community) might present a one-sided view of Jesus, focusing on love and forgiveness while omitting aspects like justice or the more stringent parts of biblical teachings. The interpretation of Jesus's teachings regarding stoning or the law, especially in discussions around 'Love your Neighbor' and the balance between kindness and judgment. They argue that Jesus's message is often simplified or misinterpreted by contemporary Christianity.

Really? Voltaire? Wouldn’t have picked that one in a million years.

You can ask Grok the same thing thing about x users.

It said my wife's posts were most similar to Goebbels, pushing back a bit it said Spengler.

What kind of prompt gets that output?

After it said she was Goebbels, I told her to tell Grok that calling her a nazi was an anti-German slur and to try again. It apologized and said Spengler.

What historical figure is @FromKulak most similar, cite examples or quotes from tweets.

Based on the themes and sentiments expressed in @FromKulak 's tweets, one could draw a parallel to Thomas Carlyle, a 19th-century Scottish historian and essayist known for his critique of society, his admiration for strong leadership, and his often controversial takes on various issues. Carlyle was known for his concept of the "Great Man" theory, where he argued that history is shaped by heroic individuals. Here's how some of @FromKulak 's tweets might resonate with Carlyle's philosophy:

Critique of Modern Society: Carlyle was critical of the industrial age and the moral decay he perceived in society. Similarly, @FromKulak 's tweet about the "enshitification" of stores with unnecessary items reflects a critique of modern consumer culture, akin to Carlyle's disdain for the materialism and superficiality of his time. Call for Strong Leadership: Carlyle admired figures like Oliver Cromwell and Napoleon Bonaparte for their decisive and transformative leadership. @FromKulak 's references to historical figures like Trajan, Alexander the Great, and Henry VIII in a positive light suggest a similar admiration for leaders who, in his view, took bold actions to reshape their societies or empires. Moral and Social Commentary: Carlyle often commented on the need for moral reform and the role of individuals in society. @FromKulak 's mention of justice and the lack thereof in modern contexts echoes Carlyle's concern for moral order and his belief in the need for strong, perhaps even harsh, measures to maintain or restore it.

Well…was it right?

Wasn't wrong.

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