75 Comments

I get the info trawl capacity but jeez this particular bot thing has all the style and charm of someone who has done a PhD in the history of music and cannot resist unloading their brain on you - a pedant. With a real pedant (I know one or two) at least there's the chance of a decent impassioned argument complete with a few choice personal stingers and said pedant storming out of the house calling you "an ignoramus" or worse because you questioned something they said. Its English, Ted, but somehow not as we know it.

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Yeah, as a tech writer this doesn’t even come close, but corporations are always captivated by the next corporate fad, of which this is a truly toxic one.

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Lots of passive voice, and every passage has a very instructional tone. None of it was interesting in the least. Reciting a lot of facts. Maybe there’s a chance still that I can make it through the next four years before I retire 🤣

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I'm retiring in 3 years and hope to make it too!

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The suspense is killing me!

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AI - regurgitating stuff mined from the internet whoop!

We’ll always need original human thinkers... or it’ll be original until AI thought hi-jacks the ideas then disseminates throughout the human verse.

AI - another way to create and substantiate group think. Finally humanity all agrees on truth - another celebratory moment.

Taking AI opinion formation at all seriously is hilarious. Because of the potential risk of influence it probably isn’t anything to laugh about at all.

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"AI - another way to create and substantiate group think." Yolanda, with that statement you win the interweb today. Marvelous.

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Yes, like we don't already have enough Lemming like behavior out there in Ah-Mare- Kahhh

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I seems like a useful, if rudimentary tool. I noticed it didn't do anecdotes. For example; when David Byrne was asked why he wore a big suit his answer was, "It makes my head look small", which is the sort of answer musicians give when faced with daft questions. It is the kind of answer which is grounded in reality and stimulates the curiosity rather than satisfy it.

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I remember him expanding a bit on that and saying it emphasised the body, because their music was more about the body and dancing than it was about the head and thinking.

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People interested in jazz or just good music, may like this:https://titusarrius.substack.com/p/what-were-you-listening-to-when-kennedy

which in some ways is a reaction to Ted's post.

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The part that worries me is that when asked for relaxing music recommendations (or just what it’s listening to) what it does is try to come up with the “most correct answer”, which defaults to arguably some of the biggest and most well known artists in the genre.

If (when) we start getting most of our recommendations from AI (which we already do, in a sense) the only way for it actually promote newer artists is if it’s programmed with specific biases to do so, but I’m not convinced the main players will be incentivized to do that.

Not looking forward to a scenario where newer artists will have to pay for “A.I. algorithmic inclusion”, but It seems like that’s where we are headed. Sincerely hope I’m wrong.

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Ted. What did you learn? What did AI learn?

Rabbit holes of superficiality. No feeling, no insight, no wisdom earned from experience.

Nothing two- way about this conversation

No enthusiasm, no spirit,

It’s a downer

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I wonder why Bill Haley and his Comets are largely forgotten now, apart from with jive-dance contestants. His records 1954/6 are such swinging fun, and a reminder of how confident and fun-loving Americans were at that time. Louis Jordan too.

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Hearted for Louis Jordan.

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It is not a person that Ted was talking with.

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What happens when you ask it to cite its sources?

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somehow i think we'll be fine.

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Lots of good, solid, information without a hint of humanism. Interesting indeed.

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Oof. AI is a non-sexy know-it-all--every guy I spent years avoiding.

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Right. If you must know it all, at LEAST be sexy.

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Fabulous! I wonder how obscure it can get, for example "explain the difference between the punk rock genres 'Oi', 'Anarcho' and 'Positive'"

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I just posed your question to ChatGPT. Here's its response:

Certainly! The punk rock movement has given rise to various subgenres, each with its own distinct characteristics and philosophies. Let's explore the differences between three popular punk rock subgenres: Oi!, Anarcho punk, and Positive punk.

Oi!:

Oi! (pronounced "oy") is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in the late 1970s in the working-class areas of the United Kingdom. Oi! music is characterized by its raw, straightforward, and often aggressive sound. It incorporates elements of punk rock, pub rock, and street punk. The lyrics of Oi! songs often reflect working-class experiences, social issues, and street culture. Oi! bands like Cockney Rejects, Sham 69, and The Business are considered pioneers of the genre.

Anarcho Punk:

Anarcho punk emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a subgenre of punk rock that incorporates strong anarchist and DIY (do-it-yourself) ethics. Anarcho punk bands often focus on political and social activism, promoting anarchist ideologies such as anti-authoritarianism, direct action, and equality. Musically, anarcho punk is characterized by its aggressive sound, often blending punk rock with elements of post-punk and hardcore punk. Bands like Crass, Conflict, and Subhumans are notable examples of anarcho punk.

Positive Punk:

Positive punk, also known as posi-punk or melodic punk, emerged in the 1980s as a reaction to the often nihilistic and confrontational nature of punk rock. Positive punk bands emphasize uplifting and positive messages in their lyrics, promoting themes of self-empowerment, personal growth, and social unity. Musically, positive punk is characterized by melodic hooks, catchy choruses, and a more melodic and accessible sound compared to other punk subgenres. Bands like Bad Religion, Descendents, and The Offspring are often associated with the positive punk genre.

In summary, Oi! is known for its raw and aggressive sound with lyrics reflecting working-class experiences, while anarcho punk incorporates strong anarchist ideologies and DIY ethics. Positive punk, on the other hand, focuses on uplifting and positive messages, featuring melodic hooks and catchy choruses. Each of these punk rock subgenres offers a unique perspective and sound within the broader punk movement.

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I realize that music history should be taught by an unbiased historian, but expecting any human being to have as little taste as AI is mighty presumptuous.

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I couldn't get it to express a preference between Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, but it did know enough to say Frank Sinatra was more influential than Bob Eberle. So I guess jazz critics aren't quite obsolete yet.

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Brilliant, very enertaining. I was guessing Mr Chatbot might mention your good self... ☺️

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This is a very sophisticated regurgitation of web content. It occurred to me that over time more of the source material will be AI generated and that AI will begin to ingest its own regurgitation with nothing in place to differentiate between human and AI-generated content. Will this create drift? A beast unleashed with no one having more than an educated guess of its effect.

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