e148 ai - what is the sound of modernity for you?

conscient podcast

i asked chatGPT what was the ‘sound of modernity’ in 4 modes : normal, critical, radical and optimistic and got some feedback

TRANSCRIPTION OF EPISODE

(bell and breath)

On a rainy August 10th 2023, I asked Chat GPT:

‘What is the sound of modernity?’

The bot responded:

The sound of modernity is a symphony of electronic devices humming, the rapid clicks of keyboards, the soft hum of air conditioning, intermittent smartphone notifications, the distant whirring of cars, and the bustling energy of city life woven together into a dynamic and ever-changing background.

The bit did not mention if those sounds were good or bad so I asked it to be ‘more critical’:

The sound of modernity can often be characterized by the cacophony of relentless notifications, the endless drone of traffic, the mechanical beeps and blips of machines, and the superficial conversations drowned out by the noise of consumerism. It’s a discordant blend that sometimes drowns out genuine human connection and the natural world, leaving us more connected to our screens than to the realities around us.

I then asked it to be ‘more radical’:

The sound of modernity reverberates with the clash of ideologies, the digital uproar of social media, the primal screams for justice, and the defiant chants of those demanding change. It’s a symphony of revolution, where traditional norms are challenged, and the status quo is shaken to its core. Amid the chaos, whispers of hope and cries for a new world order crescendo, creating a radical anthem that dares to rewrite the script of society.

Finally… pushing the limits, I asked it to be ‘more optimistic’ :

The sound of modernity carries the vibrant beats of innovation and progress, the harmony of diverse voices coming together, and the uplifting melodies of collaboration and empathy. It’s a chorus of technological marvels, cultural exchanges, and global awareness that sings of a world connected like never before. In this symphony, the potential for positive change and a brighter future resonates, fueled by the belief that humanity’s collective efforts can create a harmonious and thriving world for all.

Here is some of the feedback I received on FaceBook about this posting :

The sound of one hand clapping?

Chat GPT n’a que finalement dit ce que ton esprit lui a aiguillé comme raisonnement. En fait, la machine ramasse ce qu’elle a comme infos et la réarrange en fonction de la satisfaction client. (Chat GPT only finally said what your mind told it to say. In fact, the machine picks up what information it has and rearranges it according to customer satisfaction.)

Interesting experiment!

WOW!!!

Good Lord, I’m glad I’m not teaching any longer.

Wow. I like your direction here.

Ugh, way too verbose is the sound of that modernity. I fear I am not modern enough to handle it.

Squeaky clean comes to mind. I hear the inordinate challenge this is for teachers on all levels. Ask students to do an essay, with a critical or sympathetic or ironic twist or whatever, and this chat GPT does it all tidy and seamless. So how can the prof know, except that it’s toooo smooth and trendy sounding?! In my day we could always tell when a less gifted student suddenly wrote like a New York Times editorialist. Then we could google, or harder yet, go to the library and check their sources!! aaargh!!!! But this raises even bigger challenges. Yikes!!!!!!!!!!

Or ask them to critique what AI wrote…teachers won’t be able to fight this stuff so we’ll just have to learn how to use it as a polemic.

AI is already out of control (too few parameters on its use) but like nuclear technology we’ll have to learn to manage it or risk the consequences… slowing it all down in key…

I bet you are the first one, Claude, to have asked that question! I like your requests for further refinement of the answers. Great way to develop skills in questioning this ‘entity’ and to listen to/process its answers!

Not much ecology in this machine’s constructed notion of our world.

What a fascinating, extraordinary exchange! Gives me some hope, but not without apprehension, about AI in our lives.

This is totally fascinating and also gives me a weird sort of sense of apprehension. (also…I can’t write as well as Chat GPT and might be relegated to the heap.). But thanks. I’m going to share this…

Il faut peut-être revoir les “prompt” (Maybe we may need to review the “prompt”.)

Bizarre…

What is the sound of modernity for you?

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With thanks to all those who provided feedback. The artificial voices were generated by Elelvenlabs.io.

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this episode. (including all the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation and infrastructure that make this podcast possible).

My gesture of reciprocity for this episode is to the Green Dreamer.

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END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODES

I’ve been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020 on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (Ottawa). It’s my way to give back and be present.

In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and it's francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I publish a Substack newsletter called ‘a calm presence' which are 'short, practical essays about collapse acceptance, adaptation, response and art’. To subscribe (free of charge) see https://acalmpresence.substack.com. You'll also find a podcast version of each a calm presence posting on Substack or one your favorite podcast player.

Also, please note that a complete transcript of conscient podcast and balado conscient episodes from season 1 to 4 is available on the web version of this site (not available on podcast apps) here: https://conscient-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes.

Your feedback is always welcome at [e-mail] and/or on conscient podcast social media: Facebook, X, Instagram or Linkedin.

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible.

Claude Schryer

Latest update on July 20, 2024