jlj

I know I’m late to this party.

But this is my blog; and so, dear reader, that isn’t relevant.

A few evenings ago, an acquaintance was relaying how she uses ChatGPT in her (largely, copy-editing) work: “ChatGPT, here’s my work; what are my three main points?” or “ChatGPT, here’s a pitch; rewrite it to be more persuasive.” Another acquaintance quickly chimed in: “I use it to practice Mandarin. It will correct me, saying that it understands, but thinks I meant to use X instead of Y. And I can even ask it to switch back to English for a bit to get some point across before resuming the exercise.”

Not for the first time, my understanding of the breadth of ChatGPT use cases was left wanting. And so, I just logged in once again — after quite a long break — and quickly gave it one of my old blog posts; the (instantaneous!) result was, frankly, astonishing:

It seems like you're sharing a personal experience and reflecting on a broader societal issue related to gun violence and its consequences. Your narrative touches on themes of fear, self-defense, and the potential escalation of conflicts in a society where firearms are prevalent.

The Chad Oulsen case you mention is an example of how quickly situations can escalate, leading to tragic consequences. The use of firearms can indeed change the dynamics of a confrontation, often with irreversible outcomes. Your personal experience of fearing for your safety due to a neighbor's threatening behavior adds a personal dimension to the broader issue of living in fear and the impact it can have on individuals and families.

Your concerns about the availability of firearms in the United States and the potential for violence due to misunderstandings or conflicts are shared by many who advocate for stricter gun control measures. The complexities surrounding self-defense, personal judgment, and the role of firearms in society are multifaceted issues that prompt reflection on how to maintain a balance between individual rights and public safety.

The emotional weight of your narrative emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues thoughtfully and collectively, with a focus on fostering a society where individuals feel safe and conflicts are resolved without resorting to extreme measures.

I won’t lie: vanity tinged my reaction: “I sound clever!” But I stand by my position: that that is, objectively, both impressive and useful; and, I’m more certain than ever, but the tip of this iceberg. Who knows what I don’t realise I don’t know about this tool?