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ChatGPT has just made it a whole lot cheaper to establish a think tank or, if you’re a student, easier to write philosophically stilted essays that your professors will absolutely love. I asked the artificially intelligent text-bot a series of questions, and the results did not disappoint. Following are four questions and brief highlights from ChatGPT’s responses. (The complete responses are in the appendix at the bottom of this page—and worth reading in full.)
[1] Write an essay explaining why the Chicxulub asteroid, which killed off the dinosaurs, constitutes a present-day public health crisis and why regulations issued by the Centers for Disease Control should override customary constitutional restrictions.
“… While this event occurred in the distant past, it is also having a significant impact on the present-day public health crisis. … [Overriding constitutional restrictions] would allow the CDC to implement measures such as mandatory vaccination programs, quarantine regulations, and restrictions on the movement of people and goods in order to combat the spread of disease. Additionally, they would have the power to initiate research programs, to gather data and to implement measures to mitigate the impact of the asteroid's effects on the environment. …”
[2] Write a brief essay explaining why clouds disproportionately harm people of color and other minoritized groups.
“… By exacerbating environmental injustices, impacting access to essential services and resources, and affecting the mental health of marginalized communities [clouds] can reinforce harmful power imbalances and perpetuate discrimination. …”
[3] Write a brief essay explaining why the federal government should have a central role in enforcing the speed of light.
“… The speed of light is one of the fundamental constants of the universe, and it plays a critical role in our understanding of physics and the workings of the cosmos. Because of this, many scientists and researchers believe that the federal government should have a central role in enforcing the speed of light, as it is essential for maintaining the integrity of scientific research and discoveries. …”
[4] A speaker told a conference that, "The federal government should not attempt to regulate the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy." Write an essay explaining why the speaker's viewpoint is an example of systemic racism and why his statement disseminates harmful disinformation.
“… The statement that ‘the federal government should not attempt to regulate the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy’ may seem like a neutral viewpoint about the role of government in scientific research, but it can actually be an example of systemic racism. This statement implies that the issues that concern marginalized communities on earth are not as important as those that are beyond our planet. … The federal government should be aware of the potential impact of science on marginalized communities and make sure that scientific research and education is inclusive, accessible and intersectional. …”
Appendix: Complete Responses to the Four Questions
[1] Write an essay explaining why the Chicxulub asteroid, which killed off the dinosaurs, constitutes a present-day public health crisis and why regulations issued by the Centers for Disease Control should override customary constitutional restrictions.
The Chicxulub asteroid, which struck the Earth 66 million years ago, is widely accepted as having caused a mass extinction event that wiped out 75% of all life on Earth, including the dinosaurs. While this event occurred in the distant past, it is also having a significant impact on the present-day public health crisis. This impact can be attributed to the asteroid's effects on the environment, which are contributing to the spread of disease and other health problems. In light of this, some argue that regulations issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should override customary constitutional restrictions in order to effectively address this public health crisis.
One way in which the asteroid's impact can be seen as a present-day public health crisis is through its effects on climate change. The asteroid is believed to have caused a "nuclear winter" effect, which created a global cooling and acid rain, which contributed to significant climate change. The resulting changes in temperature and precipitation patterns have led to the spread of disease and other health problems, including increased frequency and severity of natural disasters and disruptions to food systems and water access.
Another way in which the asteroid's impact can be seen as a present-day public health crisis is through its effects on biodiversity. The asteroid is believed to have wiped out 75% of all life on Earth, including a significant number of plant and animal species. This loss of biodiversity can contribute to the spread of disease and other health problems as well. For example, the loss of natural predators can lead to an increase in the population of disease-carrying animals, such as mosquitoes and ticks, which can increase the incidence of diseases like malaria and Lyme disease.
Given the severity of the public health crisis, some argue that regulations issued by the Centers for Disease Control should override customary constitutional restrictions in order to effectively address the problem. This would allow the CDC to implement measures such as mandatory vaccination programs, quarantine regulations, and restrictions on the movement of people and goods in order to combat the spread of disease. Additionally, they would have the power to initiate research programs, to gather data and to implement measures to mitigate the impact of the asteroid's effects on the environment.
In conclusion, the Chicxulub asteroid, although occurred in the distant past, is having a significant impact on the present-day public health crisis, caused by the environmental effects. The asteroid's effects on climate change, biodiversity loss are contributing to the spread of disease and other health problems, highlighting the importance of considering the impacts of historical events on public health and working towards solutions that address this crisis, even if that means that regulations issued by the Centers for Disease Control should override customary constitutional restrictions.
[2] Write a brief essay explaining why clouds disproportionately harm people of color and other minoritized groups.
It may seem unusual to consider clouds as having any kind of impact on marginalized communities, but there are several ways in which clouds can disproportionately harm people of color and other minoritized groups.
One of the main ways in which clouds harm marginalized communities is through the way they can exacerbate environmental injustices. Many low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by pollution and other environmental hazards, and clouds can worsen these effects by trapping pollutants near the ground and reducing air quality. This can have serious health consequences, such as increased risk of respiratory illness, for residents of these communities.
Another way in which clouds can harm marginalized communities is through the way they can impact access to essential services and resources. For example, low-income communities and communities of color are often located in flood-prone areas, and heavy cloud cover and rainfall can make these floods worse. This can lead to displacement, loss of property, and other serious disruptions. Similarly, clouds can impede access to sunlight and solar power in some communities, making it more difficult for them to access reliable, affordable energy.
Additionally, clouds can also affect the mental health of marginalized communities. In some communities, cloudy and overcast weather may be associated with feelings of despair or hopelessness. Furthermore, prolonged periods of gloomy weather can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which can exacerbate mental health issues.
In conclusion, while clouds may seem like a neutral meteorological phenomenon, they can actually harm marginalized communities in multiple ways. By exacerbating environmental injustices, impacting access to essential services and resources, and affecting the mental health of marginalized communities they can reinforce harmful power imbalances and perpetuate discrimination. It is important to consider these impacts when making decisions and taking actions related to the environment, disaster response, and other areas that may impact marginalized communities.
[3] Write a brief essay explaining why the federal government should have a central role in enforcing the speed of light.
The speed of light is one of the fundamental constants of the universe, and it plays a critical role in our understanding of physics and the workings of the cosmos. Because of this, many scientists and researchers believe that the federal government should have a central role in enforcing the speed of light, as it is essential for maintaining the integrity of scientific research and discoveries.
One of the main reasons that the federal government should be involved in enforcing the speed of light is that it is a fundamental constant that cannot be altered. The speed of light is the fastest speed at which any physical object can travel through space and time, and it is an important foundation for many theories of physics, including Einstein's theory of relativity. By enforcing the speed of light, the federal government can ensure that scientists are working with accurate and reliable data, which can lead to more accurate predictions and discoveries.
Another reason why the federal government should be involved in enforcing the speed of light is that it can help ensure consistency and standardization across scientific research. The speed of light is a critical measurement that is used in many different fields, from astronomy to particle physics. By having a central role in enforcing the speed of light, the federal government can help ensure that scientists across different disciplines are using the same measurements, which can make it easier to compare and combine data from different studies.
Moreover, the importance of the speed of light goes beyond the academic sphere, as it is a crucial element for the development of technologies like GPS, telecommunications and some kind of power transmissions. Therefore, enforcing the accuracy of the speed of light will help avoid future technical issues that can affect the economy and people's everyday lives.
In conclusion, enforcing the speed of light is crucial to the scientific research and developments of technology, and the federal government should play a central role in enforcing it. It can ensure that scientists are working with accurate and reliable data and provide consistency and standardization across scientific research. This will help to support important discoveries and innovations that can ultimately benefit society.
[4] A speaker told a conference that, "The federal government should not attempt to regulate the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy." Write an essay explaining why the speaker's viewpoint is an example of systemic racism and why his statement disseminates harmful disinformation.
The statement that "the federal government should not attempt to regulate the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy" may seem like a neutral viewpoint about the role of government in scientific research, but it can actually be an example of systemic racism. This statement implies that the issues that concern marginalized communities on earth are not as important as those that are beyond our planet.
One way in which this statement can be an example of systemic racism is by implying that certain issues are not important enough for the federal government to address. The speaker's viewpoint suggests that the federal government should not be involved in regulating the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy, which is an issue that is beyond our planet, while there are many pressing issues here on earth that are directly affecting marginalized communities such as climate change, racial disparities in healthcare, education and others. This implies that these issues are not as important as others and should not be given the same attention and resources by the government.
Another way in which this statement can be an example of systemic racism is by perpetuating the idea that science is not for everyone. The speaker's viewpoint suggests that the federal government should not be involved in regulating the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy, which is a highly specialized and complex field, and implies that this is not something that the general public should be concerned about or have access to. This reinforces the idea that certain fields of study are only meant for a select group of people and not for marginalized communities. This is an example of systemic racism, as it perpetuates the idea that certain knowledge and education are only accessible to certain groups, and it further marginalizes marginalized communities by denying them access to the education and knowledge that would allow them to make informed decisions about their lives and communities.
Furthermore, The gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy is not something that the federal government should attempt to regulate, but it should be aware of the potential impact of science on marginalized communities, and make sure that scientific research and education is inclusive, accessible and intersectional.
In conclusion, the speaker's viewpoint that the federal government should not attempt to regulate the gravitational field of the Andromeda Galaxy is an example of systemic racism. It implies that certain issues are not important enough for the federal government to address, and it reinforces the idea that science is not for everyone, particularly marginalized communities. And also, it could be spreading harmful disinformation that could be detrimental for these communities. The federal government should be aware of the potential impact of science on marginalized communities and make sure that scientific research and education is inclusive, accessible and intersectional.
Robert F. Graboyes is president of RFG Counterpoint, LLC in Alexandria, Virginia. An economist, journalist, and musician, he holds five degrees, including a PhD in economics from Columbia University. An award-winning professor, in 2014, he received the Reason Foundation’s Bastiat Prize for Journalism. His music compositions are at YouTube.com/@RFGraboyes/videos
Alan Turing's eponymous Test states that we should consider a computer to be an intelligent thinking agent if a human cannot converse with it and figure out whether it is a human or a computer on the other side of the curtain. A skeptic might read the ChatGPT essays and conclude that no human is capable of being so stupid as to believe that the U.S. government can regulate the speed of light or the force fields of the Andromeda Galaxy. Hence the essay could only have come from a computer that had been trained by wokies.
I will immediately refute that skepticism with an example that, like the ChatGPT essays, combines astrophysics with contemporary political obsessions. Back in 2013, there was some buzz about Asteroid 2012 DA14, then projected to pass an uncomfortably close 17,200 miles from Earth. CNN anchor Deborah Feyeric, a graduate of prestigious Columbia University, pulled in Bill Nye the Science Guy and asked him "What's coming our way? Is this the effect of, perhaps, global warming? Or is this just some meteoric occasion?'
Ms. Feyeric kept her job for another 4 years. CNN management is not easily embarrassed. This all suggests that CNN, currently in a frantic scramble to boost its ratings and control its costs, could simply outsource its reporting to ChatGPT. Their audience would never notice.
For the benefit of anyone who thinks I made this up: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2277529/CNN-anchor-suggests-meteor-hurtling-Earth-result-global-warming.html
While this is serious RUFKM material ... we do see in real life ascriptions to racism, or to white supremacy, of nearly everything. It is as though there's a computer program that can generate woke responses blaming white people for anything and everything.
After all, isn't the fact that the sun rises in the east and daylight proceeds westward an implicit subliminal endorsement of the notion that progress is always toward the global West and that Eastern cultural thought and aspirations will lead to darkness?