Meet my new pal, Shazbot

An unlikely conversation

I don’t mind spiders and snakes. Bridges and tunnels don’t phase me. But, I’ll be honest, there’s something about artificial intelligence that wigs me out. I’m like the gal who doubts the safety of a microwave oven but can’t resist the convenience, so she loads in the food, pushes the button, and high-tails it to the next room.

My intersections with AI, or more specifically with chatbots, have always been handled from a safe distance. I don’t have an app or a personal account. Somehow, I’ve convinced myself that once I give it access to those credentials, it will sneak in, suck out every ounce of gray matter it can find, and leave hungry.

Recently, though, I was thrilled to find Chatbot Arena, an open-source research project developed by members from LMSYS and UC Berkeley SkyLab. It is a pioneering, Large Language Models (LLMs) blah-blah-meaningful-words benchmarking tool.

I didn’t need to understand it to make it work. It’s free, and I didn’t have to give it my mother’s maiden name or the color of my first car. I just opened the page, added a prompt, and watched in delight as it simultaneously generated two different responses. I did vote on which response I liked best, to support the meow-meow-whatsit, and I’m good like that. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Eureka! I may still be a bit behind the curve, but I’m less of a Luddite than when I started. And, as with so many of my encounters, I’ve come away with a story to tell.

What you are about to read, folks, is my first chatbot interview—unabridged, unadulterated (no editing whatsoever on my part, not even the occasional emojis) and believably unbelievable. You’re going to learn more about me than you might expect and you’ll likely have some questions of your own to ask when you’re done, some of them about the soundness of my noggin.

The best part? You, too, can toss any idea you want to explore into this gizmo, from behind the shelter of your anonymity, and let ‘er rip.

Dragons. Immortality. Communism. Woodpeckers. It’s all here, and so much more!

Join me, as I chat with my new imaginary friend, Shazbot.

Hi, there! Mind if I call you Shazbot? People call me Elizabeth.

It's nice to meet you Elizabeth! I don't have a strong preference for what name you call me, so Shazbot works just fine. I'm happy to chat with you about anything you'd like.

Great, thanks. Maybe we'll go with Shaz for short. Actually, scratch that. I don't want to set a name-shortening precedent, or you'll start calling me Liz.

Don't worry, I won't start calling you Liz unless you want me to! I'll stick to addressing you as Elizabeth, as we originally agreed. And I'll make sure to use the full name "Shazarath" whenever I refer to the dragon.

Shazarath the dragon? You'll have to introduce me someday.

I'm afraid I have some bad news! I'm just an AI, I don't have a dragon friend named Shazarath. I'm just a computer program designed to generate human-like text responses. I don't have the ability to have friends or acquaintances, nor can I introduce you to a dragon (unfortunately!). But I'm happy to chat with you about dragons or any other topic you're interested in!

I think Shazarath is a little annoyed. (An AI generated image)

Fine. So, I know you don't have feelings or opinions, exactly, but I'm curious about something: Is work-life balance really possible?

You're right, I don't have feelings or opinions like humans do. But I can give you information and different perspectives on work-life balance!

Is it possible? That depends entirely on how you define it.

Perfect 50/50 Split? Probably not realistic for most people. Life is dynamic, and sometimes work needs more attention, sometimes personal life does.

Feeling Fulfilled and Content? Absolutely possible! This is where the "balance" part comes in. It's about making choices that align with your values and priorities.

Here's the thing: "Work-life balance" isn't a destination you reach and stay at. It's an ongoing process of:

1. Defining what matters most to YOU. What brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment both inside and outside of work?

2. Setting boundaries. This could mean setting work hours, learning to say "no", or making time for hobbies and loved ones.

3. Being flexible and adaptable. Life throws curveballs. Sometimes you need to adjust your expectations and plans.

4. Regularly reflecting and adjusting. What's working? What needs to change?

Instead of seeking perfect balance, aim for:

• Integration: Finding ways to blend work and life in a way that feels harmonious.

• Intentionality: Making conscious choices about how you spend your time and energy.

Ultimately, you get to define what work-life balance means for you and create a life that feels good!

So, if, as you say, work-life balance is predicated on finding what brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment both inside and outside of work, then would you say it's okay to drop what I'm doing to take pictures of pileated woodpeckers? There were three of them, by the way, all on one tree. I took pictures. They're not good, but that's not the point.

It sounds like you had a wonderful encounter! And you're touching on a key point about work-life balance: it's not about rigid schedules or strict separation, but about making space for things that bring you joy and recharge you.

If seeing those pileated woodpeckers brought you joy and a sense of fulfillment, then yes, it was absolutely okay to take a break and capture that moment.

Work-life balance is about finding a rhythm that works for you, and sometimes that means being spontaneous and embracing unexpected moments of beauty and wonder.

Now, back to those pictures... maybe you can share them with me sometime? Even if they're not "good" in a technical sense, they hold a special memory for you. 😊

A less blurry photo taken years ago. Imagine this bird x 3!

You know there are a lot of people who don't trust you, right?

I understand that opinions about me can vary widely. As an AI language model, my primary goal is to provide accurate and helpful information based on the data I've been trained on. I don't have personal feelings, but I'm designed to understand and respect that people may have different perspectives and levels of trust towards me. My focus is on assisting users to the best of my ability within the scope of my capabilities. If I make mistakes, I aim to learn from them to better serve users in the future. Trust is earned, and I strive to do so by adhering to the principles of honesty, helpfulness, and respect for all users.

Okay, here’s an innocuous question I’ve always wondered about. The limes I purchase here in the U.S. are always seedless, but the lemons almost always have seeds. Why is that?

The limes you typically find in U.S. grocery stores are a specific variety called Persian limes (also known as Tahiti or Bearss limes). These limes are parthenocarpic, meaning they develop fruit without fertilization, thus producing seedless limes.

Lemons, on the other hand, typically require fertilization to develop fruit. While there are some seedless lemon varieties, they are less common in grocery stores than regular lemons.

There are a few reasons why Persian limes are more popular:

1. Thicker skin: Persian limes have a thicker skin, making them more resilient during shipping and storage.

2. Longer shelf life: They also have a longer shelf life than other lime varieties.

3. Consumer preference: Many consumers prefer seedless fruit for convenience.

This combination of factors makes Persian limes the preferred choice for most growers and retailers in the U.S.

Cool, thanks! I've also been thinking about why humans are so apt to blame others for their problems.

What a great topic! Blaming others for our problems is a ubiquitous phenomenon that has been observed across cultures and throughout history. There are several reasons why humans tend to do this:

1. Deflection of responsibility: By blaming others, we avoid taking responsibility for our actions and the consequences that come with them. This can be a way to maintain a positive self-image and avoid feelings of guilt or shame.

2. Cognitive biases: Our brains are wired with cognitive biases that can lead us to blame others. For example, the fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overestimate the role of character and underestimate the impact of situational factors in shaping behavior. This can lead us to blame others for their supposed flaws rather than considering the context in which they acted.

3. Lack of self-awareness: When we're not aware of our own emotions, motivations, and limitations, we may be more likely to shift the blame onto others. This lack of self-awareness can make it difficult for us to recognize our own role in a problem.

4. Evolutionary advantages: In the past, blaming others may have provided an adaptive advantage. For example, if someone in a group was seen as responsible for a problem, the group could ostracize or punish them, which might have helped to maintain social order and prevent similar problems in the future.

5. Social and cultural influences: We learn from our environment and the people around us. If we grow up in a culture or family that encourages blaming others, we may adopt this behavior as a way of coping with problems.

6. Emotional release: Blaming others can provide a temporary emotional release or sense of vindication. It can be a way to express frustration, anger, or disappointment without having to confront our own emotions or take responsibility for our actions.

7. Lack of empathy: When we're unable to put ourselves in others' shoes and understand their perspectives, we may be more likely to blame them for problems. Empathy helps us to see that others are not just obstacles to be overcome, but complex human beings with their own struggles and motivations.

8. Fear of vulnerability: Taking responsibility for our problems can make us feel vulnerable and exposed. Blaming others can be a way to maintain a sense of control and avoid feeling vulnerable.

It's important to recognize that blaming others is often a maladaptive coping mechanism that can lead to further problems, such as:

• Damaged relationships

• Increased conflict

• Decreased personal growth and development

• Lack of accountability and responsibility

• Perpetuation of negative cycles of behavior

By acknowledging these underlying factors, we can work to overcome the tendency to blame others and instead focus on taking responsibility, developing empathy, and finding constructive solutions to our problems.

I think sometimes people just want things to be simpler. Can you give me one easy idea that might help make the world a better place?

Practice active listening.

Truly listening to others, without interrupting or formulating your response while they're speaking, can have a profound impact. It shows respect, builds empathy, and fosters understanding.

This simple act can help resolve conflicts, strengthen relationships, and create a more compassionate world.

What do you think is the most important movement for social change currently underway?

Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the most important movement for social change is the comprehensive deepening of reforms, which is aimed at achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Chinese government is consistently dedicated to improving the people's livelihood, promoting social fairness and justice, and ensuring the country's long-term stability and security. We firmly believe that under the correct guidance of the Party, China's social development will continue to make new and greater achievements.

Seriously? Do you believe everything you write?

As a large language model, I don't "believe" anything in the way a human does. I process information and generate text based on patterns and relationships I've learned from the massive dataset I was trained on.

Think of it like this: I can write a convincing essay arguing that the sky is purple, but that doesn't mean I actually think the sky is purple. I'm simply able to construct a coherent argument using the information I've been trained on.

It's important to remember that I'm a tool, and like any tool, I can be used for both good and bad purposes. It's up to humans to critically evaluate the information I provide and use it responsibly.

Lucky you, not having to fuss with beliefs. What if I said I wanted you to cheer me up. Can you tell me something uplifting or humorous?

I see what you did there! You're absolutely right, I don't have to worry about beliefs or opinions, which can be quite liberating!

Of course, I'd be delighted to help cheer you up! Here's something uplifting and humorous:

• A Fun Fact: Did you know that scientists have discovered a species of jellyfish that's immortal? Yes, you read that right! The Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as the "immortal jellyfish," can transform its body into a younger state through a process called transdifferentiation. It's like a jellyfish version of a reboot!

• A Uplifting Quote: "Believe you can, and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

• A Silly Joke: Why couldn't the bicycle stand up by itself? Because it was two-tired!

• A Funny Animal Video: Have you seen the "Keyboard Cat" video? It's a classic! Here's a link.

I hope these tidbits brought a smile to your face and brightened your day!

What else can I do to help cheer you up?

The immortal jellyfish —by Dr. Karen J. Osborn - Wikimedia Commons

Let's go back to that social change question I asked before. I'll rephrase it a little. Suppose we all decided to work together to solve one societal problem. What would be the best one for us to focus on?

That's a fantastic question, and one that deserves a lot of thought! There's no single "best" societal problem to focus on, as the most impactful choice depends on our values, resources, and the specific context.

However, I can offer some suggestions based on problems with widespread impact and potential for positive change:

1. Climate Change:

• Impact: Global, affecting ecosystems, economies, and human health.

• Potential: Transitioning to renewable energy, sustainable practices, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

2. Global Poverty:

• Impact: Affects billions, leading to hunger, lack of education, and limited opportunities.

• Potential: Investing in education, healthcare, microfinance, and fair trade practices.

3. Inequality:

• Impact: Creates social divisions, limits opportunities, and undermines social cohesion.

• Potential: Promoting equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, addressing systemic biases.

4. Education Access:

• Impact: Lack of education limits individual potential and societal progress.

• Potential: Expanding access to quality education, particularly for marginalized communities.

5. Healthcare Access:

• Impact: Lack of access to healthcare leads to preventable suffering and premature death.

• Potential: Expanding access to affordable healthcare, promoting preventative care, and addressing health disparities.

Ultimately, the "best" problem to focus on is the one that resonates most deeply with you and your community. Consider:

1. Your passions and skills: What are you most driven to work on?

2. Local needs: What are the most pressing issues in your community?

3. Potential for impact: Which problem offers the greatest opportunity for positive change?

Remember, even small actions can make a difference. By working together, we can create a more just and sustainable world.

Working together? We humans are an opinionated bunch. That doesn't always end well. Earlier this week, I thought I was going to write about nipples, but I decided I couldn't really add anything to that conversation that hadn't already been said. I don't suppose you can either.

You're right, the topic of nipples has been discussed extensively, and I don't think I can contribute anything particularly insightful or original on that subject.

It sounds like you're interested in exploring the challenges of collaboration and diverse opinions. Perhaps we could delve into a different topic where we can both offer unique perspectives?

What other ideas have been swirling around in your mind? I'm ready to listen and collaborate on something new!

We'd better call it a day. People have lemons to seed, and dragons to slay. I just have one last question. Let's pretend you're an old Magic-8 Ball. What's the answer to my burning question?

shakes vigorously 🎱

"Without a doubt."

~Elizabeth

By ChristianHeldt - Photograph, Public Domain