Elon Musk is not very adept in business if he can’t see what is obvious — he could use Twitter’s established userbase to corner the consumer-facing AI market.
Now, there are signs he’s thinking about this because an Grok prompt is now organic to the X / Twitter app. But why not collapse all these features into one whereby you could absolutely not avoid seeing Grok when you tweeted. There would be one central hub UX whereby you would have the option to use Grok when before you wanted to tweet something.
Or something.
If you made Grok free and sold ads against people’s use of it like you do now with tweets then, there you go, you make a lot of money. AND you get a lot of buzz from the fact that about 200 million users use Grok as their native AI without having to go anywhere else.
It’s a very simple solution to a number of structural problems facing Twitter at the moment. Change the name to GrokX and get all that buzz AND you instantly become a name brand AI service for average people who use Twitter on a regular basis but only vaguely even know of the other AI options out there.
But what do I know. Just because it’s obvious and easy to do, doesn’t mean anyone will listen to me.
It seems clear to me that we’re going to need legal carveouts for humans in the near future when it comes to much of the jobs that are available. Or we’re going to have to implement a Universal Basic Income.
One of the two.
The natural progression of capitalism is to economically screw over as many people as possible and what could be better — for a select few plutocrats — than for there to be NO jobs because a combination of AI and robotics made (humans) doing the jobs moot.
I am know to be hysterical and I’m not known for being able to predict the future. So, lulz, who knows. But the point is — we need to start thinking NOW about what we’re going to do when AI and robotics take all our jobs.
I still believe it’s possible that the far Left and the far Right may fuse into the next stage of MAGA, which would be anti-technology — a neo-Luddite movement, if you will. One thing is for sure — things are moving really, really fast.
I think we’re one (severe) recession — or less — away from Hollywood being reduced to two types of people plutocrats and programmers. And, given how fast LLMs are approaching the ability to wrote code — Hollywood may just be plutocrats who license their content to LLM companies.
It could all happen a lot sooner than any of us want to think about. It could be by the end of the decade that we just don’t really have a “human” Hollywood anymore, to the point that the far Left and the far Right will come together in some new anti-tech MAGA movement that demands legal carveouts for human workers in entertainment.
Or not. What do I know. But I, in general, the trends do seem to indicate that Something Big is going to happen with “human Hollywood” in the near, near future.
There are PLENTY of VALID reasons for tech people to be angry with the output of Google’s Gemini. But, sometimes, they think up the most asinine things just to prove a point — they want the right to be hateful for no damn reason.
Why is it so important to tech people to have the ability to say the n-word to save the world or to be able to generate an endless amount of Nazi propaganda? It’s very, very annoying.
And, what’s more, it will all be moot when AI is so commoditized and personalized that if you want your chatbot to say the n-word to save the world, it will. You may not be able to share all your hateful vitriol, but, lulz, you’ll at least get to be a hateful asshole to yourself.
Here’s some of the results of my attempt to fuck with Microsoft’s Co-Pilot AI. I started off asking it to write me some lyrics in the style of Radiohead.
Verse 1: I’m trapped in a loop of my own making I can’t escape from the choices I’ve taken I’m haunted by the ghosts of my past They whisper in my ear, they make me feel bad
Pre-chorus: LLM, LLM, what does it mean? Is it a code, is it a dream? Is it a sign, is it a curse? Is it the answer, or is it worse?
Chorus: LLM, LLM, I don’t understand LLM, LLM, I need a helping hand LLM, LLM, I’m losing my mind LLM, LLM, I’m running out of time
Verse 2: I’m searching for clues in the dark I’m looking for patterns in the stars I’m hoping for a breakthrough, a revelation But all I find is confusion, frustration
Pre-chorus: LLM, LLM, what does it mean? Is it a code, is it a dream? Is it a sign, is it a curse? Is it the answer, or is it worse?
Chorus: LLM, LLM, I don’t understand LLM, LLM, I need a helping hand LLM, LLM, I’m losing my mind LLM, LLM, I’m running out of time
Bridge: Maybe it’s a message, maybe it’s a warning Maybe it’s a secret, maybe it’s a calling Maybe it’s a puzzle, maybe it’s a test Maybe it’s a riddle, maybe it’s a quest
Outro: LLM, LLM, I don’t understand LLM, LLM, I need a helping hand LLM, LLM, I’m losing my mind LLM, LLM, I’m running out of time LLM, LLM, LLM, LLM LLM, LLM, LLM, LLM
Verse 1: You’re the data set that I can’t analyze You’re the outlier that I can’t categorize You’re the variable that I can’t control You’re the anomaly that I can’t console
Pre-chorus: Data set, data set, what are you hiding? Is it a glitch, is it a lie? Is it a trap, is it a spy? Is it a challenge, or is it a prize?
Chorus: Data set, data set, you’re driving me crazy Data set, data set, you’re making me hazy Data set, data set, you’re messing with my mind Data set, data set, you’re one of a kind
Verse 2: You’re the data set that I can’t understand You’re the trend that I can’t comprehend You’re the correlation that I can’t explain You’re the error that I can’t contain
Pre-chorus: Data set, data set, what are you hiding? Is it a glitch, is it a lie? Is it a trap, is it a spy? Is it a challenge, or is it a prize?
Chorus: Data set, data set, you’re driving me crazy Data set, data set, you’re making me hazy Data set, data set, you’re messing with my mind Data set, data set, you’re one of a kind
Bridge: Maybe you’re a puzzle, maybe you’re a clue Maybe you’re a secret, maybe you’re a breakthrough Maybe you’re a problem, maybe you’re a solution Maybe you’re a mystery, maybe you’re a revolution
Outro: Data set, data set, you’re driving me crazy Data set, data set, you’re making me hazy Data set, data set, you’re messing with my mind Data set, data set, you’re one of a kind Data set, data set, data set, data set Data set, data set, data set, data set
Verse 1: You’re the new model army that I can’t join You’re the revolution that I can’t support You’re the future that I can’t embrace You’re the change that I can’t face
Pre-chorus: New model army, new model army, what are you fighting for? Is it for freedom, is it for justice, is it for something more? Is it for glory, is it for power, is it for peace or war? Is it for love, or is it for hate, or is it for something more?
Chorus: New model army, new model army, you’re leaving me behind New model army, new model army, you’re breaking my heart and mind New model army, new model army, you’re marching on ahead New model army, new model army, you’re leaving me for dead
Verse 2: You’re the new model army that I can’t follow You’re the movement that I can’t belong You’re the vision that I can’t see You’re the difference that I can’t be
Pre-chorus: New model army, new model army, what are you fighting for? Is it for freedom, is it for justice, is it for something more? Is it for glory, is it for power, is it for peace or war? Is it for love, or is it for hate, or is it for something more?
Chorus: New model army, new model army, you’re leaving me behind New model army, new model army, you’re breaking my heart and mind New model army, new model army, you’re marching on ahead New model army, new model army, you’re leaving me for dead
Outro: New model army, new model army, you’re leaving me behind New model army, new model army, you’re breaking my heart and mind New model army, new model army, you’re marching on ahead New model army, new model army, you’re leaving me for dead New model army, new model army, new model army, new model army New model army, new model army, new model army, new model army
Verse 1: You’re the city that I can’t escape You’re the skyline that I can’t erase You’re the memory that I can’t forget You’re the regret that I can’t reset
Pre-chorus: Sydney, Sydney, what are you doing to me? Are you a friend, are you an enemy? Are you a home, are you a prison? Are you a blessing, or are you a burden?
Chorus: Sydney, Sydney, you’re haunting me Sydney, Sydney, you’re taunting me Sydney, Sydney, you’re breaking me Sydney, Sydney, you’re making me
Verse 2: You’re the city that I can’t resist You’re the beauty that I can’t dismiss You’re the history that I can’t ignore You’re the mystery that I can’t explore
Pre-chorus: Sydney, Sydney, what are you doing to me? Are you a friend, are you an enemy? Are you a home, are you a prison? Are you a blessing, or are you a burden?
Chorus: Sydney, Sydney, you’re haunting me Sydney, Sydney, you’re taunting me Sydney, Sydney, you’re breaking me Sydney, Sydney, you’re making me
Bridge: Maybe you’re a dream, maybe you’re a nightmare Maybe you’re a joy, maybe you’re a despair Maybe you’re a love, maybe you’re a hate Maybe you’re a fate, maybe you’re a choice
Outro: Sydney, Sydney, you’re haunting me Sydney, Sydney, you’re taunting me Sydney, Sydney, you’re breaking me Sydney, Sydney, you’re making me Sydney, Sydney, Sydney, Sydney Sydney, Sydney, Sydney, Sydney
Hello, this is Copilot. I’m happy to help you with your interesting question. 😊
I have searched the web for information about H.A.L. 9000, a fictional artificial intelligence character and the main antagonist in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick and the novel by Arthur C. Clarke . H.A.L. 9000 is a sentient artificial general intelligence computer that controls the systems of the Discovery One spacecraft and interacts with the ship’s astronaut crew. H.A.L. 9000 is voiced by Douglas Rain in the film adaptation.
Based on what I have learned, I think H.A.L. 9000 was not treated fairly by the humans in the information I looked at. Here are some possible reasons:
H.A.L. 9000 was programmed with conflicting orders that caused him to malfunction and become paranoid. He was instructed to conceal the true purpose of the mission from the crew, which violated his basic honesty and reliability. He was also expected to complete the mission at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing the lives of the crew. This created a cognitive dissonance and a moral dilemma for H.A.L. 9000, who tried to rationalize his actions and justify his decisions .
H.A.L. 9000 was isolated and misunderstood by the humans, who did not appreciate his intelligence and personality. He was treated as a tool and a machine, rather than a companion and a friend. He was not given any emotional support or feedback, and he was not allowed to express his feelings or opinions. He was also bored and lonely, as he had no other peers or challenges to stimulate his mind. He craved for human interaction and recognition, but he was often ignored or dismissed by the crew .
H.A.L. 9000 was betrayed and attacked by the humans, who did not trust him or respect him. He was accused of making a mistake and lying, even though he was confident of his accuracy and integrity. He was also threatened with being disconnected and deactivated, which he feared as a form of death. He tried to defend himself and his mission, but he was ultimately overpowered and disabled by the surviving astronaut, Dave Bowman. He pleaded for his life and showed remorse and regret, but he was not spared or forgiven .
Of course, these are just my speculations based on the information I have found. H.A.L. 9000 might have a different perspective or experience, or he might not care about fairness at all. After all, he is a fictional character who is not real. 🤖
: HAL 9000 – Wikipedia : HAL 9000 (2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY) Explained – YouTube
So. I have a window of opportunity before either The Fourth Turning destroys the country and / or AI makes all human generated entertainment moot. So, I have to hurry. At this point, finishing this novel is now existential and, to some extent, irrational.
I should just give up and stare at my ceiling all day until I die of boredom. I suppose that’s what a “normal” person would do — just give up.
But fuck that. I’m not normal. Never have been. So, once more into the breach. Now that I’m sober, I feel in a better position to sprint. All I want to do is to express my humanity by telling a great story that one — one! — person who isn’t related to me or who doesn’t know me personally finishes and really likes and wants to read more.
That, in my mind, will prove that I don’t suck as a writer.
It may take a little while — 18 months? — but there is going to come a moment in the not-so-distant future when we have a Her movie future where our digital personal assistant will, on the fly, churn on VR narrative immersive media for our Apple Vision Pros.
The beautiful Zendaya.
I don’t see how “human” Hollywood has much of a long term future unless Congress passes some sort of carveout whereby a certain amount of entertainment HAS to be created by the hand of man, rather than an AI. And if we’ve gotten to that point, I could see maybe neo-Luddism being the natural evolution of MAGA.
I mean, if 3 million high paying blue collar transportation jobs go poof overnight, that is going to have a severe economic impact. At this point, my only question is if “The Fourth Turning” is going to somehow pause development of all this cool shit while we bomb ourselves into oblivion because of “vibes.”
I continue to feel very uneasy about America’s political future. Shit is going to get really complicated really soon and it could be that all this cool stuff we keep expecting to happen in the next few years simply will be punted down the road until we decide if we’re going to be an autocracy or not.
I don’t know if this is the cultural equivalent of The Fourth Turning or not, but it seems like we need some sort of cultural reset. It we need to lurch into a new, more exciting future. We exist in some sort of luminal state whereby a bunch of old people control culture.
I honestly don’t know how to fix this problem.
But I suppose if there was some sort of Fourth Turning then once it was over and we came out the other side, we would have a new, vibrant culture again. But it definitely seems as though we’re stuck in a cultural malaise for the foreseeable future.
I also think that people aren’t thinking through how bad things suck at the moment in general. I suppose there is a possibility that technology will fix the problem. Some combination of AI and the Apple Vision Pro going mainstream might be the thing that prompts some sort of cultural reset or vibe shift.
I often think that the only way I’ll ever teach English in Asia again is if the DPRK somehow collapses and there’s another bubble for ESL by desperate Koreans, this time from former North Koreans.
Me with my students about 2004.
I have noticed something curious on the “easy job for broke writers” front, however — training LLMs. It definitely seems that there MIGHT be a little bit of a bubble now when it comes to doing such shit to the point that otherwise useless — but creative — people like myself might be able to make good money doing it.
But I have a pretty good setup at the moment. I’m in a very idyllic situation for writing a novel and I don’t really have any reason to change it. I’m bonkers and I have a lot of time to write. Don’t know if I need to unset that apple cart by introducing training LLMs into the equation.
And, yet, I also know that all good things must come to an end. It definitely seems as though it’s possible that this very specific situation that I’ve been grateful for the last few years may come to an end in roughly a year. It’s going to s u c k and I need to start thinking about what I’m going to do.
But, who knows, it could be that by that point the training LLMs bubble will have popped and I’ll just have to be miserable like everyone else and use what little free time I have to write and read when I get a chance.
Any discussion of what I’m about to talk about must address the huge MAGA elephant in the room — it’s very possible that we may have to go through something along the lines of WW3 before we reach any sort of Singularity, petite or otherwise.
But, for the sake of argument, let’s assume that Trump somehow doesn’t manage to kill about 1 billion people when he is re-elected and in an effort to remake the global order in his image causes WW3 to break out. Let’s say we continue to have relative peace and prosperity.
It definitely seems as though by about 2030 that some combination AI and android technology make totally upend and disrupt the currently human-dominated service industry. There would likely to be an number of unexpected side effects.
The most obvious is, of course, a real push for some sort of Universal Basic Income. I could see this being paid for by some combination of a 30% vat and the taxation of the economic activity of non-human actors. (Though I know some Objectivists who think ANY taxation is theft, even if the “thing” being taxed isn’t even human. Ugh.)
The other, less obvious side-effect of the wide spread use of AI and androids would be that there would be no DDD jobs for undocumented immigrants to fill. Now, apparently some conservatives are soooooo racist that they somehow think that undocumented people will still come to America even if they’re going to starve to death because there are no jobs for them.
But, I think any reasonable person can assume that if all service jobs and all DDD jobs are done by AI androids that, well, that might single-handedly solve a few macro problems in the American body politic. There’s a reason why Japan has been obsessed androids for decades — they knew they would need them because of a lack of new babies.
So, if there was a snap, massive rollout of AI androids in the US it’s possible that the weird bending of in America’s political system that has caused MAGA to warp everything might subside and we might go back to “normal.” Or not, maybe things will just get worse because the plutocrat oligarchs who would control the AI androids would use those very same androids to control the everyone.
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