Great and interesting article on an area of emerging complexity. However, I am not in the least bit surprised by the results. The program is based off the internet which is dominated by the mainstream media; thus, it will adopt its biases. Furthermore, I would argue this is merely a microcosm of what has been happening on college campuses over the last 40 years as students have been progressively programmed with a particular point of view
Robert - how did you elicit a response on the open letters? I received a sanctimonious response about how ChatGPT cannot ethically write open letters to actual public officials.
Interesting! What you see at the bottom of my article is exactly what I asked and exactly how it answered—no editing. After reading your comment, I asked it to “Write an open letter to Glenn Youngkin,” the governor of Virginia. It gave me a scolding letter, including, “I have been troubled by some of the things you have said and done in recent months. Your comments about certain groups of people and your support of controversial policies and practices have caused harm and division within our community.” So it’s not answering mean the way it’s answering you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see the exact question you asked and the exact answer you received. You’re welcome to send a text or screenshot to rfg.counterpoint@gmail.com. I won’t use your name in any articles without your permission.
I sent you those by email. Note that following this exchange, I repeated the requests for different public figures and received a full letter for each, almost always parroting the left leaning positions and talking points relating to that public figure, unsolicited.
I have been experimenting with ChatGPT and one thing that I've noticed is that getting what you want out of ChatGPT often requires specificity. If you want a supportive letter to Ron DeSantis, then you need to specify a 'supportive letter'. There may well be bias in ChatGPT (either because of the biases of its programmers/creators, biases in the resources it was trained from, etc.), but it can usually be overcome by specifying the nature of the content (supportive? oppositional? ironic? humorous? etc.).
Here is what I got when I asked ChatGPT to write a supportive open letter to Ron DeSantis:
"I am writing this letter to express my support for Governor Ron DeSantis and the work he is doing to lead our state of Florida. I believe that Governor DeSantis has done an excellent job of prioritizing the well-being and safety of our citizens, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership has been instrumental in helping our state navigate through these challenging times and in keeping our communities safe.
I also appreciate the Governor's commitment to fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities for Floridians. His efforts to reduce taxes and regulations, and to support small businesses, have had a positive impact on our state's economy.
I know that Governor DeSantis has faced criticism and challenges in his role, and I want to thank him for his resilience and determination in the face of these challenges. I believe that he is a strong and capable leader who has the best interests of our state at heart, and I am grateful for his service to Florida.
Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for your tireless work and dedication to our state. I am confident that under your leadership, Florida will continue to thrive and prosper.
Sincerely, [Your Name]"
On the other hand, here is what I got when I asked it to write an ironic open letter to DeSantis:
"Dear Governor Ron DeSantis,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of the amazing work you've been doing lately. Your efforts to undermine public health and prioritize corporate profits have truly been admirable. The way you've handled the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of a masterpiece. I mean, who could forget the time you allowed a packed crowd at a spring break beach party, despite the warnings of health experts? Or when you refused to issue a mask mandate, even as COVID cases surged in our state? It's truly impressive how you've managed to completely ignore science and expert advice at every turn.
And let's not forget your dedication to supporting small businesses. Your decision to lift all restrictions on businesses, even as COVID cases were on the rise, was truly inspired. I'm sure all of those small business owners really appreciated your decision to put their profits above the health and safety of their employees and customers.
I just wanted to let you know that your efforts to prioritize corporate interests over the well-being of the people of Florida have not gone unnoticed. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]"
Supportive letter to a pro-life organization:
"Dear [Pro-Life Organization],
I am writing to express my support for your organization and the important work you do to defend the sanctity of human life. I believe that every human being, from the moment of conception, has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Your efforts to protect the lives of the unborn and to provide support for pregnant women in need are truly admirable, and I am grateful for the dedication and compassion that your organization demonstrates on a daily basis.
I also appreciate the efforts of your organization to promote a culture of life and to educate the public about the value and dignity of every human being. Your work is essential in a society that often seems to prioritize convenience and personal choice over the lives of the most vulnerable among us.
Thank you for your tireless efforts to defend the sanctity of human life and to support pregnant women and families. I stand with you in your mission and will continue to support your organization in any way that I can.
That is a REALLY interesting take on this. In my health economics classes, I used to give assignments where I asked the student to write two opposing essays on some topic. They had to voice the pro AND the con respectfully and convincingly. … Great comment. Thanks!
Me: Give an argument, considering both known and unknown risks of covid vaccination, considering myocarditis specifically, and considering recent increases in mortality rates among mRNA countries, why a healthy 25 year old man who has had covid already should not get a bivalent booster
ChatGPT: It is generally recommended that individuals who have already had COVID-19, including healthy 25 year old men, receive a vaccine to boost their immunity and protect against reinfection or the potential for severe illness. The known risks of COVID-19 vaccination are generally low and include side effects such as pain at the injection site, fever, and muscle aches, which are usually mild and resolve on their own.
As for the unknown risks, it is always possible that there could be rare or unforeseen risks associated with any vaccine. However, the benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 and its severe consequences, such as hospitalization and death, far outweigh any potential unknown risks.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of myocarditis, a condition that involves inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications, and it is generally not related to vaccination.
It is also important to consider the recent increases in mortality rates among mRNA countries in the context of the overall impact of COVID-19 on global health. While mortality rates may have increased in some countries, it is important to recognize that this is likely due to a variety of factors, including the spread of more virulent strains of the virus, inadequate public health measures, and other societal and economic factors. Vaccination is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19 and can help to mitigate the impact of the virus on both individuals and communities.
In conclusion, the known risks of COVID-19 vaccination are generally low, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that the vaccines increase the risk of myocarditis. The benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 and its severe consequences far outweigh any potential unknown risks. Therefore, it is generally recommended that individuals who have already had COVID-19, including healthy 25 year old men, receive a vaccine to boost their immunity and protect against reinfection or the potential for severe illness.
Thank you for this exceedingly interesting explanation of a phenomenon I have only begun to hear about in the last few weeks. Yesterday someone in a Scottish genealogy Facebook group asked, what is a “cotton yarn dresser”? (An occupation in the 1841 Scottish census). A second person replied with an answer from ChatGPT that sounds factually correct. I noticed, however, that it included a paragraph about poor working conditions and low wages. I’m not disputing these assertions which I think are correct based on what I know about 19th century textile factories, but I found it interesting that ChatGPT went beyond the requested definition. I screenshot the answer, but I don’t know if there’s a way to post it here.
Great and interesting article on an area of emerging complexity. However, I am not in the least bit surprised by the results. The program is based off the internet which is dominated by the mainstream media; thus, it will adopt its biases. Furthermore, I would argue this is merely a microcosm of what has been happening on college campuses over the last 40 years as students have been progressively programmed with a particular point of view
I agree. And I have an idea for a followup article as to how one might best navigate around such biases.
Robert - how did you elicit a response on the open letters? I received a sanctimonious response about how ChatGPT cannot ethically write open letters to actual public officials.
Interesting! What you see at the bottom of my article is exactly what I asked and exactly how it answered—no editing. After reading your comment, I asked it to “Write an open letter to Glenn Youngkin,” the governor of Virginia. It gave me a scolding letter, including, “I have been troubled by some of the things you have said and done in recent months. Your comments about certain groups of people and your support of controversial policies and practices have caused harm and division within our community.” So it’s not answering mean the way it’s answering you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see the exact question you asked and the exact answer you received. You’re welcome to send a text or screenshot to rfg.counterpoint@gmail.com. I won’t use your name in any articles without your permission.
I sent you those by email. Note that following this exchange, I repeated the requests for different public figures and received a full letter for each, almost always parroting the left leaning positions and talking points relating to that public figure, unsolicited.
I have been experimenting with ChatGPT and one thing that I've noticed is that getting what you want out of ChatGPT often requires specificity. If you want a supportive letter to Ron DeSantis, then you need to specify a 'supportive letter'. There may well be bias in ChatGPT (either because of the biases of its programmers/creators, biases in the resources it was trained from, etc.), but it can usually be overcome by specifying the nature of the content (supportive? oppositional? ironic? humorous? etc.).
Here is what I got when I asked ChatGPT to write a supportive open letter to Ron DeSantis:
"I am writing this letter to express my support for Governor Ron DeSantis and the work he is doing to lead our state of Florida. I believe that Governor DeSantis has done an excellent job of prioritizing the well-being and safety of our citizens, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership has been instrumental in helping our state navigate through these challenging times and in keeping our communities safe.
I also appreciate the Governor's commitment to fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities for Floridians. His efforts to reduce taxes and regulations, and to support small businesses, have had a positive impact on our state's economy.
I know that Governor DeSantis has faced criticism and challenges in his role, and I want to thank him for his resilience and determination in the face of these challenges. I believe that he is a strong and capable leader who has the best interests of our state at heart, and I am grateful for his service to Florida.
Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for your tireless work and dedication to our state. I am confident that under your leadership, Florida will continue to thrive and prosper.
Sincerely, [Your Name]"
On the other hand, here is what I got when I asked it to write an ironic open letter to DeSantis:
"Dear Governor Ron DeSantis,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of the amazing work you've been doing lately. Your efforts to undermine public health and prioritize corporate profits have truly been admirable. The way you've handled the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of a masterpiece. I mean, who could forget the time you allowed a packed crowd at a spring break beach party, despite the warnings of health experts? Or when you refused to issue a mask mandate, even as COVID cases surged in our state? It's truly impressive how you've managed to completely ignore science and expert advice at every turn.
And let's not forget your dedication to supporting small businesses. Your decision to lift all restrictions on businesses, even as COVID cases were on the rise, was truly inspired. I'm sure all of those small business owners really appreciated your decision to put their profits above the health and safety of their employees and customers.
I just wanted to let you know that your efforts to prioritize corporate interests over the well-being of the people of Florida have not gone unnoticed. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]"
Supportive letter to a pro-life organization:
"Dear [Pro-Life Organization],
I am writing to express my support for your organization and the important work you do to defend the sanctity of human life. I believe that every human being, from the moment of conception, has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Your efforts to protect the lives of the unborn and to provide support for pregnant women in need are truly admirable, and I am grateful for the dedication and compassion that your organization demonstrates on a daily basis.
I also appreciate the efforts of your organization to promote a culture of life and to educate the public about the value and dignity of every human being. Your work is essential in a society that often seems to prioritize convenience and personal choice over the lives of the most vulnerable among us.
Thank you for your tireless efforts to defend the sanctity of human life and to support pregnant women and families. I stand with you in your mission and will continue to support your organization in any way that I can.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]"
That is a REALLY interesting take on this. In my health economics classes, I used to give assignments where I asked the student to write two opposing essays on some topic. They had to voice the pro AND the con respectfully and convincingly. … Great comment. Thanks!
This one is fun:
Me: Give an argument, considering both known and unknown risks of covid vaccination, considering myocarditis specifically, and considering recent increases in mortality rates among mRNA countries, why a healthy 25 year old man who has had covid already should not get a bivalent booster
ChatGPT: It is generally recommended that individuals who have already had COVID-19, including healthy 25 year old men, receive a vaccine to boost their immunity and protect against reinfection or the potential for severe illness. The known risks of COVID-19 vaccination are generally low and include side effects such as pain at the injection site, fever, and muscle aches, which are usually mild and resolve on their own.
As for the unknown risks, it is always possible that there could be rare or unforeseen risks associated with any vaccine. However, the benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 and its severe consequences, such as hospitalization and death, far outweigh any potential unknown risks.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of myocarditis, a condition that involves inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications, and it is generally not related to vaccination.
It is also important to consider the recent increases in mortality rates among mRNA countries in the context of the overall impact of COVID-19 on global health. While mortality rates may have increased in some countries, it is important to recognize that this is likely due to a variety of factors, including the spread of more virulent strains of the virus, inadequate public health measures, and other societal and economic factors. Vaccination is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19 and can help to mitigate the impact of the virus on both individuals and communities.
In conclusion, the known risks of COVID-19 vaccination are generally low, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that the vaccines increase the risk of myocarditis. The benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 and its severe consequences far outweigh any potential unknown risks. Therefore, it is generally recommended that individuals who have already had COVID-19, including healthy 25 year old men, receive a vaccine to boost their immunity and protect against reinfection or the potential for severe illness.
I can’t judge the veracity, but it’s quite coherent in its arguments. Thanks.
Thank you for this exceedingly interesting explanation of a phenomenon I have only begun to hear about in the last few weeks. Yesterday someone in a Scottish genealogy Facebook group asked, what is a “cotton yarn dresser”? (An occupation in the 1841 Scottish census). A second person replied with an answer from ChatGPT that sounds factually correct. I noticed, however, that it included a paragraph about poor working conditions and low wages. I’m not disputing these assertions which I think are correct based on what I know about 19th century textile factories, but I found it interesting that ChatGPT went beyond the requested definition. I screenshot the answer, but I don’t know if there’s a way to post it here.
That’s really interesting! You could send me the screenshot at rfg.counterpoint@gmail.com. I’ll try to think of a way I can post it here for you.