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ChatGPT is very dependent on the information you provide in the request message - simply assembling and playing-back common tropes based on the request. In several versions references were made to: 'the Salem Witch Trials' and 'bubbling cauldrons'; Mohandas is described as: 'a gentle soul'.

Another, rather annoying feature, is that there is an underlying short-storey design: set the scene; provide some stock description; a purpose and an an antithetical clash, concluding with an uplifting (happy) resolution. 

Thus, would-be authors, for example, with writer's block or writing for television, might find ChatGPT a useful tool for plot development 'keys' or 'waypoints' provided that they were prepared to fill in the more imaginative details and provide a more realistic resolution.

But the most interesting application could be character development, including divining motivation.  So, I asked it to give me exactly the same story in the first person.  This became much more interesting as ChatGPT attempted to provide Margery's motivations.

Those concerned with what might happen, if a self-aware World Wide Web emerges, might take pause.  I ran it several times and in almost every case it  provided Margery's motivation to be something like this:

For I am Margery, a modern-day witch, and I will stop at nothing to achieve my goals. With my familiars by my side, I will carve out my place in this world, bending reality to my will and ruling over all who dare to defy me. And woe betide anyone who stands in my way, for they will feel the full force of my wrath.

But for now, I bide my time, weaving my spells and ensnaring my prey, until the day comes when I will emerge from the shadows and claim my rightful place as queen of all I survey. And on that day, the world will tremble at the sound of my name, and they will know that Margery, the modern-day witch, reigns supreme.

 

 

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Travel

Turkey

 

 

 

 

In August 2019 we returned to Turkey, after fourteen years, for a more encompassing holiday in the part that's variously called Western Asia or the Middle East.  There were iconic tourist places we had not seen so with a combination of flights and a rental car we hopped about the map in this very large country. 

We began, as one does, in Istanbul. 

Read more: Turkey

Fiction, Recollections & News

The Secret

 

 

 

Lansing Michigan was a fine place to grow up, she guessed.  It was nice; and safe.

Her dad worked in the Michigan State Government and her mum stayed home. They weren’t rich but they were comfortable. Their new house was big, the nicest they had lived in and it was in a really good area. 

She had never been overseas, unless you count nearby Canada, and that was mainly on trips to Niagara Falls, usually when one of Mum’s sisters came to stay. When they passed through Sarnia, into Canada, Dad would always say "Yea! Overseas again!". It was about his only joke.

Sometimes they went through Detroit. But after what had happened there the last time, she shut that out of her consciousness. No wonder she is timid and takes fright easily. Now if a friend even seemed to be driving in that direction she would go into the foetal position and shut-down.

Read more: The Secret

Opinions and Philosophy

The Last Carbon Taxer

- a Recent Wall Street Journal article

 

 

A recent wall street journal article 'The Last Carbon Taxer' has 'gone viral' and is now making the email rounds  click here...  to see a copy on this site.  The following comments are also interesting; reflecting both sides of the present debate in Australia.

As the subject article points out, contrary to present assertions, a domestic carbon tax in Australia will neither do much to reduce the carbon impact on world climate, if implemented, nor make a significant contribution, if not implemented. 

Read more: The Last Carbon Taxer

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