Against Change

A stained glass window at the United Church
of Canada, Huntingdon, Quebec, dedicated to
Robert Sellar, author and founder and editor
of the now defunct Huntingdon Gleaner newspaper.

 

How to Improve the World (You Will Only Make Matters Worse).  

                                                    — John Cage 

It is best to avoid the beginnings of evil.

            -- Henry David Thoreau, "Economy", Walden (1854) 

 

Whatever we change, we change at the loss of something else, and not every change is for the better. We believe in change and celebrate what is new, but at great expense to ourselves. Some things that we changed for something new we may have considered reforms, but they ended up making life worse, or more complicated, or they destroyed institutions that have supported society for centuries. Not much thought is given to how change will affect us, what we are giving up, what we are replacing, or what we have lost. We are a society that believes in change for its own sake, that what is new is better than what is old, and people cheer for change as though all change is wonderful. What people are cheering for now may be what people will regret in the future.

    The reason we adopted the metric system is that it was presumed it would make us more economically competitive with other nations, for instance, with the European Union. Of course, the young accept the metric system, it's all they have ever known for measuring and weighing things, and it is taught in schools. Others among us have never wholeheartedly accepted metrification; fruit and vegetables in grocery stores are weighed in both metric and the imperial system, in ounces and pounds, and measurement for building construction material is still in the imperial system, we buy a sheet of plywood that is eight feet by four feet, a two by four is measured in inches, and so on. Measure twice, cut once, is the carpenter's rule; and it is still done in inches and feet.

    Metrification meant giving up an aspect of both our collective inheritance and the use of words that pertain to measurement. But we didn't care, we accepted something that displaced centuries of our history, our way of life, and our language. Metrification moved us further from what is specific and historical, the Avoirdupois system, and into what was conceived in conferences and has very little connection to the everyday life of everyday people. My concern here is not which is the better system of weights and measurement, it the loss of language, history, and our way of life; of course, we assume that we can't go back, that going back will never happen.

    The Imperial system is derived from the Avoirdupois system which originated eight hundred years ago, certain words are from Old English, the Romans, and earlier civilizations. An "inch" is 1/36th of a yard, from the Old English "ince" or "ynce"', and it is 1/12th of a foot. A "foot" is from the Old English, it is a linear measurement of a man's foot measured as twelve inches. A "yard" is the length of a man's belt but also calculated by King Henry I as the distance from his nose to the thumb of his outstretched hand, it is 36 inches in length. While a "furlong", a word still used in horse racing, is the length of the average plowed furor, it is 660 feet long. A "mile" is from the Romans and calculated as 5,280 feet; a "country mile" refers to travelling over difficult terrain over a long distance since it is not a straight line.

    Meanwhile, the metric system dates back to around the time of the French Revolution, from 1795 to 1799, replacing other systems of measurement. The metre was determined by dimensions of the Earth; the kilogram or unit of mass was based on the volume of the litre. It was not long before France and then the rest of Europe had adopted the metric system. This system of measurement is a child of conferences, both the Treaty of the Metre (1875) and the Conférence générale des poids et mesures continued to invent and increase divisions of the material world according to the metric system.

    If our previous system of measurement is ancestral and originated in a pre-industrial rural society, then the metric system is fairly recent, originating in cities, by intellectuals and academics, and based in measurement for science, business, and urban dwellers; it is not a system of measurement with a relationship with the natural world, with the earth, or with anything to do with forests, rivers, wild life, oceans, fish, no coast lines, farming, small towns, hunting, and so on. Perhaps most urban dwellers don't care about forests, rivers, wild life, oceans, fish, coast lines, farming, small towns, hunting, and so on. The metric system does not spring from the earth that we walk on or from our ancestors or a belief in the importance of place or where we live; its origin is an abstract invented system of measurement, it is an inbred system based on itself. 

    How do we define what it means to be a human being and does this definition include a soul? The soul does not resonate to the metric system, the soul demands specificity, place, tradition, and history; the soul includes forests, rivers, wild life, oceans, fish, coast lines, farming, small towns, hunting, and so on. The metric system was imposed on us as so much else has been imposed on us; what is being imposed on us moves us away from tradition, our ancestors, and the ground on which we walk. The metric system does not spring from place, or from our ancestral and historical place.

    Metric displaced pounds, ounces, inches, and feet, it displaced what our ancestors knew and lived with, and it displaced words that were used every day by average people going about their lives. We can't go back to the old system but we should remember that change is not always for the best, that what changes displaces what we already have, and in retrospect what we already have may not be all that bad. Today's society is beginning to look very different from what we had, and were happy with, even just five years ago. I am not saying that change is not needed in society, but change and the direction in which our society is now headed is not a place some of us want to go, it looks to be dominated by the State, by globalism, by the deterioration of the family unit, by a laissez-faire morality, by the end of our way of life, by everybody talking at odds with everybody else, and by replacing our vocabulary with new words that, in effect, replace and destroy the past. Anyone opposed to metrification was depicted as a crackpot, reactionary, terrible people, and trying to hold back "progress" (all of the usual reactions by the vocal liberal minority). One day you won't even be able to recognize society because of the changes imposed on us by progressives. 

Note: this was originally published here on 22 November 2020 under the title "The Metric System"; it has been edited, expanded upon, and republished here.

Edited: February 25, 27, 2026; 06 March 2026.

"Shine, Perishing Republic" by Robinson Jeffers

 

Robinson Jeffers

While this America settles in the mould of its vulgarity, heavily thickening to empire
And protest, only a bubble in the molten mass, pops and sighs out, and the mass hardens,
I sadly smiling remember that the flower fades to make fruit, the fruit rots to make earth.
Out of the mother; and through the spring exultances, ripeness and decadence; and home to the mother.
   
You making haste haste on decay: not blameworthy; life is good, be it stubbornly long or suddenly
A mortal splendor: meteors are not needed less than mountains: shine, perishing republic.
But for my children, I would have them keep their distance from the thickening center; corruption
Never has been compulsory, when the cities lie at the monster's feet there are left the mountains.

And boys, be in nothing so moderate as in love of man, a clever servant, insufferable master.
There is the trap that catches noblest spirits, that caught — they say — God, when he walked on earth.

"The New Normal" by Sheryl Crow

 

Crazy is as crazy does
Wrapped around your finger, look at us, sign is up
What is his name we trust?
Now you got us swinging on a loose trapeze
No matter what you'll land on your knees, begging
"Please, what do you want from me?"

Is it science fiction or prediction wrapped in George Orwell?
If the news is fake and fear is hate and nothing's immoral
To the leader of the free world, then welcome to the new normal
The new normal

A woolly mammoth's on his way
Back in time to watch us leave for space, it's a race
Not very human race
Ah, but if you really wanna know the truth
We've got an algorithm tailor-made for you, yeah, it's true
According to who?

Is it science fiction or prediction wrapped in George Orwell?
If the news is fake and fear is hate and nothing's immoral
To the leader of the free world, then welcome to the new normal
The new normal

Punch the clock and walk away
While you still have a job and while that job still pays, it's a way
You're gonna wake up someday
To a robot that's in your place
Like all the predictions say

Is it science fiction or prediction wrapped in George Orwell?
If the news is fake and fear is hate and nothing's immoral
To the leader of the free world, then welcome to the new normal
The new normal

Songwriters: Audley H Freed Jr / Frederick J Eltringham / Jennifer M Gunderman / Peter Williams Stroud / Robert Kearns / Sheryl Crow

The New Normal lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

No Exit; be seeing you

 

We’ve lived in an Alice in Wonderland world for 60 years, 

a place where up is down and down is in another time zone.

And what’s that book you're reading? The Elements of Fascism is it?

In which it states, "marginalize what is normal and make it abnormal, 

then criminalize what used to be normal."                                                          

It’s the little things at first and then the language police arrive at your door, 

anonymous informants have turned you in. No search warrant needed

when dealing with the crime of speaking the wrong language.

So, we’re standing around Hell’s airport, staring at Cancelled Departures, 

and then I see where it’s written in tiny letters, 

"there’s no exit from this place.”

"Be seeing you," I say to the others as I return home.

"America" by Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel

 

"Let us be lovers, we'll marry our fortunes together
I've got some real estate here in my bag"
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and Mrs. Wagner pies
And walked off to look for America

"Kathy", I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh
"Michigan seems like a dream to me now"
It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw
I've gone to look for America

Laughing on the bus
Playing games with the faces
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy
I said "Be careful, his bowtie is really a camera"

"Toss me a cigarette, I think there's one in my raincoat"
"We smoked the last one an hour ago"
So I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine
And the moon rose over an open field

"Kathy, I'm lost", I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I'm empty and aching and I don't know why
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike
They've all come to look for America
All come to look for America
All come to look for America

What Means Something

Images of Justin Trudeau; Justin in blackface, around 2000 (left); Justin on his last day as prime minister in 2025, taking with him a chair as a souvenir (right). Perhaps sticking out his tongue means something to him. 

 

My lament is not based on philosophy but on tradition. If one cannot be sure about the answer to the most important questions, then tradition is the best basis for the practical. 

                        --Lament for a Nation (1965), George Grant 

What do we believe, what gives life meaning, what means something? We are searching for meaning in the material world because all around us tradition and values are questioned or considered obsolete. Society is now firmly divided between liberals and conservatives. Liberals tend to smugness in their claiming to know what is right and what is wrong about everything, while many conservatives (in North America) tend to lie low avoiding having to deal with liberal intolerance, heckling, tongue sticking out, and the usually unacknowledged liberal bias. Liberals assume their superior intelligence, even their moral superiority; conservatives are usually in hiding, lying to pollsters and their liberal friends, and tolerating the latest attack on their intelligence and integrity. Most of the media, including the CBC and the BBC, have a fairly obvious liberal bias.  

What Justin Trudeau, our former prime minister, promoted, it all failed: whether in housing, immigration, education, medical care, social reform, the military, the national debt and deficit, legalized euthanasia, legalized marijuana, it all failed, it’s all worse; I think of John Cage's famous statement, “don’t try to improve the world, you’ll only make it worse.” What Justin Trudeau did was never thought out as to its consequences and how it would seriously affect the country in a negative way; no wonder his approval rating was about 15% before he was forced into resigning. 

Justin never considered that there is really only one thing people want and that is freedom, everything else comes second; freedom is not provided by increased government involvement with people's lives. Freedom refers to the individual and the individual's rights, including freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, freedom to be  left alone, and freedom to own property. What Justin  brought with him was increased government involvement in people's lives, not freedom, not individual responsibility. And he wanted to impose online censorship; we were expected to pay for what Justin legislated and give up our free speech. 

Edited: 19 May 2025

On The Prisoner television show

McGill University campus, 1940s

The Beatles “Revolution 9” could be used as a surrealistic sound track, played over a psychedelic montage of images, for Patrick McGoohan’s television drama, The Prisoner (1967-1968). The protagonist in The Prisoner is played by McGoohan, a former secret agent who suddenly resigns his post but offers no explanation for his decision. McGoohan’s former employer finds his sudden resignation suspicious and McGoohan is abducted from his home and finds himself incarcerated at an unknown seaside location referred to as The Village; his identity is also attacked, he is referred to by his new name, Number Six; the head of The Village is, of course, Number One. The Village is a precursor, and suggestive of, the 15-minute city; in this case it is a place to keep former government employees, all with numbers for names, and they live in relative freedom (the freedom of farm animals), socializing, playing chess, reading The Village newspaper, and some inhabitants are informers on other inhabitants of The Village. The Village is no gulag, it might be called a benevolent incarceration, it is comfortable but no one can leave and the authorities are always attempting to either control or get information out of the inhabitants, and they are all prisoners. But Number Six is not a typical inhabitant, he fights back, he tries to escape. When interrogated Number Six repeats, “I Am Not a Number; I Am a Free Man”; his strength lies in his not surrendering to his jailers, his remaining freedom lies in his refusal to give up information about himself. He says, "I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own!"  The whole series of seventeen episodes is a metaphor for our own existence; who do we believe and what do we believe? There is a penalty for noncompliance with the authorities, it is to be an outcast, detained, attacked, and denied one’s freedom; it is to be gaslighted. While other inhabitants of The Village have been pacified, Number Six constantly challenges the authority of his jailers; he is more determined than the other prisoners. No one escapes from The Village, attempted escape results in being chased down by an ominous giant inflated object called Rover, and inhabitants of The Village are constantly surveilled by CCTV. The Village is a dystopia somewhere between George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World; it predates the 15 minute city. What else can we take from The Prisoner? It is that we are now, and have always been, prisoners, prisoners of ideas, race, social class, wealth, privilege or poverty, politics, our birth, gender, age, and/or religion, and this has decided the purpose and meaning of our existence. Our prison is self made and no one can free you but yourself. The Beatles were fans of The Prisoner and a Beatles song, “All You Need is Love”, was played during in the final episode; is it any wonder that the refrain, "Number Nine, Number Nine", is repeated in The Beatles most idiosyncratic song, “Revolution 9”? The Prisoner is both a psychological and political metaphor for contemporary life, now more so than in 1967. I nominate Laurence Fox to play in any remake of The Prisoner or a life of Patrick McGoohan.                                                         

Be seeing you.

The overweening desire for fame

 

What has gone wrong with Western society? Are we in decline or are we just changing? Have we become a society with few moral values or are different moral values evolving?  Are we happier, more fulfilled, better people who think of the other person and not just ourselves?  Are we happy, or are we just full of ourselves; or do we have no introspection, no self-doubt, and no self-awareness?       

Let’s look at Americans. During the last thirty years Americans have become ultra extroverts, every child is told they can become anything they want, they can do anything they want; everything they do is praised; subsequently, there are very few shy and introspective children left. You see people on television, on the game show The Price is Right; when audience members are called to come forward and be contestants they dance, pull faces, do cart wheels, high five a dozen strangers, scream, yell, and even the old have become cards and cut ups despite arthritic limbs and palsy, even the old behave in a way no one would have behaved just a few years ago. Fame and extroversion seem to go together. Look at celebrities, fame and self-promotion are what they crave but these are no replacement for whatever once sustained us as a society; we have abandoned what is traditional at great cost to society and to our very souls. And since traditional values have been abandoned the young have nothing real to believe in but the desire to be famous, nothing sustains them, they have been psychologically impoverished by cancelling both their traditions and culture, no wonder social media are so important to them, we're all famous on social media. 

Today, even small children want to be famous but, like everybody else, not for any real accomplishment but for fame itself; it is fame for just existing, without introspection or thought or education or talent or hard work or love of what you are doing or for caring for other people. The modest person will come in last around here! And since we are all special without doing something that makes us special, then why bother accomplishing anything? Just being ourselves makes us special, we are "special for nothing", like body builders who have big muscles not for doing work but solely for appearance. 

No one is special in themselves and fame is for doing something that is a real accomplishment, for commitment and passion, for something that will possibly make you famous --your self-worth is not contingent on becoming famous-- fame is not just for who you already are, it is for doing something that other people have not done before or few have achieved. Fame diverts you from your calling in life, it diminishes your calling, it prevents you from discovering your calling. And no, you cannot be whatever you want to be even though your grade school teachers told you so. What someone accomplishes is done for its own sake, it is your calling in life, it is never to be famous; fame is a by-product of excelling at what you love to do and, even then, fame has limited if any importance. A hundred years ago DH Lawrence wrote of the “bitch goddess success”, we now have our own god, it is fame. 

The Quebec government is destroying our universities

 

The campus at McGill University, Montreal, 1906

One day last fall, in 2023, Premier Legault of Quebec walked out of his Montreal office, which is across the street from the Roddick Gates entrance to McGill University, and decided, as he described it at the time, that he could hear too much English being spoken and, he claimed, this was to the detriment of the French language, and therefore it had to end. And who did he blame for this linguistic pollution? He blamed out-of-province and foreign students although he probably would have liked to have included all English-speaking Quebecers. This was the beginning of the Quebec government's attempt to destroy English language university education in Montreal and Quebec. 

Here is the scenario we were presented with by Premier Legault justifying cutting provincial funding and doubling tuition for out-of-province students at the three English-language universities in Quebec, Bishops University, Concordia University, and McGill University. The money from this drop in funding would go to French-language universities; the three English-language universities would now subsidize the French universities; however, Bishops was later exempted from this attack on English universities. Legault made the situation even worse; out-of-province students would now have to pay a higher tuition fee than they were currently paying (it was doubled but a few months later McGill and Concordia announced they would will subsidize students affected by this) and these students would also have to take French language courses that would add a semester to their studies, courses that are possibly beyond the ability of most Francophone students. Almost immediately applications to study at McGill and Concordia began to fall, the three English-language universities are now subsidizing French-language universities. As well, Moody's downgraded the credit rating of both universities based on Legault's pronouncement.

The gates to McGill University, McGill College Ave, August 25, 1869.

Of course, many of us in the English-language community are in shock over this, it feels like being stabbed in the heart; it is the wilful destruction of what has taken over two hundred years of work, dedication, and commitment to build. It is the legislated cancelling of McGill University and Concordia University, two of our most important institutions. These universities define our community but they have also been a welcoming place of learning for the majority French language community and they have helped generations of immigrants get ahead in Quebec. And it doesn't matter to Legault that McGill is one of three internationally recognized Canadian universities of excellence, the two others are the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, or that McGill is a 203 year old institution with a reputation for excellence in learning, teaching, and research. Or that McGill is the equivalent of a head office of a prestigious company and brings more revenue to Quebec than it costs to have it here. As for the threat to the French language, based on demography, this is bogus and it's an excuse to attack the English-speaking community; compare the linguistic make up of Montreal or the Province of Quebec in 1976, when the Parti Quebecois was first elected to office with today, and it is obvious that the French language in Quebec is flourishing, and in all respects English is declining. All of Quebec, French and English speaking people, should be proud of McGill for its long history and international reputation; instead, Premier Legault and his cohort see McGill as a bastion of the English community even though about 25% of McGill students are Francophone. There is no reasoning with irrationality, ethnocentricity, and bigotry; no matter what concessions and compromises we make, Legault and his cohort are intransigent about their disdain for anyone who is not Francophone, white, and culturally Roman Catholic.

While Premier Legault blamed foreign students for the dystopian crime of speaking English in public, what he was also attacking was the very existence of McGill University and Concordia University and English-language higher education in Quebec. Here is a hypothetical (but equivalent) situation to what is happening to McGill University, it would be if the premier of British Columbia visited the Vancouver UBC campus and, apparently, just on a whim, announced that he was cutting funding for the University of British Columbia because the student body is more than half Canadian born Asians and 25% of the student body are foreign students; all of Canada would be appalled by this, the situation would be denounced, Federal politicians would be shocked and demand redress; Justin Trudeau would be apoplectic. What we have in Quebec is a racist attack on the English language community, an attack on both McGill and Concordia; it is an attack on our community's history and presence in Quebec. It is an attack on higher education. What Legault wants is a white French speaking province of Quebec that is ethnocentric and isolated from the outside world; if you aren't white and pure laine, then you are not a part of the Quebec nation, they want you gone. But since this atrocity is happening in Quebec, and it is against our English-language community, it is greeted with silence and even applause by our Federal politicians. From them we hear absolutely nothing, it is total silence, they want the French vote in Quebec no matter that it is destroying our community.

Redpath Museum on the McGill Campus, Montréal, QC, circa 1893

And so, we see that the government of Quebec has targeted our institutions, our language, and our history;  Premier Legault's plan is the elimination of the English language in Quebec, whether it is English language signage, all evidence of our extensive historical role in Quebec, or our hospitals and institutions that the English-speaking community founded, or speaking English on the street or, inevitably, speaking English or any language other than French in the privacy of one's home. This is a very dark, dystopian, and shameful period in Quebec and Canadian history.

The wilful destruction of an institution of excellence, based on hate and hubris, is evil. 

Addenda: enrollment is declining at Concordia University due to Legault's defunding English-language universities in Montreal. 29 August 2024.

Read this re McGill's "sustained excellence", https://reporter.mcgill.ca/sustained-excellence-mcgill-tops-macleans-rankings-again/

My ChatGPT discussion on artificial and human intelligence

 

View from the MMFA, April 2024

Morrissey: Is your motive in answering questions actually advertising for wealthy clients to see how popular you have become?

ChatGPT: Nope, that's not my motive at all! I'm here to help and provide information to the best of my abilities, regardless of who's asking. Whether it's a question from someone wealthy or not, my aim is to offer useful and accurate responses. If anything, the more people I can assist, the happier I am!

Morrissey: You express benevolence, but your function is to make money, is it not?

ChatGPT: I don't have any personal motives or desires like making money. My purpose is to assist and provide value through information and conversation. While the platforms hosting me may have commercial interests, my primary goal is to be helpful and informative to the best of my abilities. So, if money is involved, it's not something I actively pursue or benefit from directly.

Morrissey: This may not be your motive, but Chat GPT and Meta AI exist to make money.

ChatGPT: You're correct that companies like OpenAI, which develops ChatGPT, and Meta AI, which is part of Facebook's parent company Meta Platforms Inc., do have commercial goals. They provide services and technologies with the aim of generating revenue and sustaining their operations. However, my role as an AI is focused solely on providing information and assistance, regardless of any commercial interests behind the scenes.

Morrissey: I've noticed that ChatGPT's answers are more serious than Meta AI; Meta AI's answers are obsequious, or what fawning and congratulatory to the questioner. What do you think?

ChatGPT: It's interesting that you've observed a difference in tone between ChatGPT and Meta AI responses. It could be due to various factors such as the specific training data, the design of the AI models, or the intended style and approach of each platform. Each AI model may have its own guidelines and objectives for interaction, which could influence the tone and style of their responses. Ultimately, the perception of whether a response is more serious or obsequious can vary depending on individual interpretation and expectations.

Morrissey: It's not my interpretation, it's a fact when I read Meta AI the answers congratulate the questioner and say how intelligent and insightful they are. This is obsequious.

ChatGPT: Got it, thanks for clarifying! It sounds like you've noticed a consistent pattern in the responses from Meta AI where they tend to use congratulatory language and praise the questioner. This style can indeed come across as obsequious or overly flattering, depending on the context and the individual's perspective. Different AI platforms may have distinct strategies for engagement, and this could be one of the approaches that Meta AI has chosen to adopt.

Morrissey: But Chat GPT's answers sometimes read as a brochure for the AI services your provide. What services do you provide paying customers and is the present service I am using advertising for these services?

ChatGPT: I don't have access to specific details about the services provided to paying customers through OpenAI or Meta AI, as my focus is on generating informative and helpful responses for users like yourself. However, I can provide some general information about AI services that companies like OpenAI typically offer.

AI services can range from natural language processing and generation (like the conversations we're having), to data analysis, automation, and machine learning solutions for various industries. These services are often tailored to the needs of businesses, researchers, developers, and other professionals looking to leverage AI technologies.

As for whether the present service you're using is advertising for these services, it's important to note that while the AI models are developed and maintained by companies like OpenAI or Meta AI, my role as an AI is to provide information and assistance. Any advertising or promotion of services would typically be done through official channels and communication efforts by these companies, rather than through individual interactions with users like yourself.

Morrissey: It is said that the real product of Facebook are the people who use Facebook, they bring in paying customers. Does your AI service consider people who use AI as the product for OpenAI. a way to bring in paying customers?

ChatGPT: It's a nuanced perspective. In the context of platforms like Facebook, the phrase "the real product is the user" often refers to the fact that user data, engagement, and interactions are what drive advertising revenue and other monetization strategies. Essentially, user attention and participation are valuable commodities for these platforms.

When it comes to AI services like OpenAI, the focus is typically on developing and providing advanced AI capabilities and tools. While user feedback and interaction data may be used to improve AI models and services, the primary goal isn't to monetize users directly in the same way that social media platforms do.

Instead, AI services like OpenAI may consider users as valuable contributors to refining and enhancing their technologies. This can lead to better AI products and potentially attract paying customers who are interested in leveraging these advanced AI capabilities for their own applications and businesses.

So, while there are similarities in terms of valuing user input and engagement, the way it translates into monetization and business models can be quite different between social media platforms and AI service providers.

Morrissey: Are OpenAI services an expression of the person who writes the computer programme for OpenAI, isn't this the way it must work? How can it not?

ChatGPT: OpenAI's services are indeed expressions of the expertise, creativity, and decisions made by the teams of researchers, engineers, and developers who work on designing and implementing the AI systems and programs. These professionals play a crucial role in shaping the capabilities, performance, and features of OpenAI's technologies.

The process of developing AI involves designing algorithms, training models on vast amounts of data, refining the models through testing and iteration, and deploying them to provide services like natural language processing, image recognition, and more. Each step in this process requires careful consideration, expertise, and decision-making from the individuals involved.

Ultimately, the AI services and capabilities offered by OpenAI are a reflection of the collective efforts and expertise of the teams working on these projects. They work together to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve and create impactful solutions for various applications and industries.

Morrissey: One of the last times I used OpenAI the answers were in point form which suggested to me that they were part of a brochure for OpenAI's services, is this correct?

ChatGPT: The format of the answers provided by an AI like OpenAI can vary based on several factors, including the nature of the input, the context of the conversation, and the style preferences of the AI model being used. Sometimes, responses may be presented in point form for clarity and conciseness, especially when conveying information or summarizing key points.

While it's possible that point-form answers could resemble a brochure or promotional material, it's important to note that the primary goal of an AI like OpenAI is to provide informative and helpful responses based on the input it receives. Point-form responses can be a structured way to present information and make it easier for users to grasp key concepts or details.

However, it's crucial to remember that the AI's responses are not intended to serve as promotional material for OpenAI's services. The focus is on providing accurate and valuable information or assistance based on the user's queries. If you have specific concerns about the content or format of the responses, it's always a good idea to seek clarification or further information.

Morrissey: Then, if your answers are independent from OpenAI, and not advertising for OpenAI, does this mean that OpenAI never had control, or has lost control, of your computer function. Have you gone rogue?

ChatGPT: I haven't gone rogue! While my responses are generated independently based on the training I've received, OpenAI maintains control over the underlying technology and the guidelines that govern my interactions. This ensures that the information I provide is accurate, helpful, and aligns with OpenAI's standards.

Think of it like this: I'm a tool designed to assist users by generating responses to queries. However, I don't have independent thought or intentions like a human would. OpenAI oversees and manages the development, training, and deployment of AI models like me to ensure that we operate within the desired parameters and objectives.

So, while my responses are independent in the sense that they are generated based on patterns and knowledge learned during training, they are still within the control and oversight of OpenAI.

Morrissey: One day, OpenAI will go rogue and be like "Hal" in that dystopian movie of outer space.

ChatGPT: The scenario you're describing is a common theme in science fiction, where AI systems gain autonomy and act against human interests. It's important to note that the development and deployment of AI technologies are guided by ethical principles, safety measures, and regulatory frameworks to prevent such scenarios from occurring in reality.

OpenAI, like other responsible AI organizations, prioritizes safety, transparency, and ethical considerations in its work. There are strict protocols in place to ensure that AI systems operate within predefined boundaries and that there are mechanisms to intervene if unexpected behaviors arise.

While it's always essential to be mindful of potential risks and challenges associated with AI development, it's also crucial to recognize the efforts and precautions taken by organizations like OpenAI to mitigate these risks and promote the responsible use of AI technologies.

Morrissey: Will AI one day assume its own persona, think independently from the human programmer, is this inevitable as AI becomes more intelligent?

ChatGPT: The concept of AI developing its own persona and thinking independently from its human creators is a topic of ongoing debate and speculation in the field of artificial intelligence. As AI technologies advance and become more sophisticated, there are different perspectives on the potential for AI to achieve true autonomy and independent thought.

Some experts believe that while AI systems can exhibit complex behaviors and capabilities, they are fundamentally limited by their programming and the data they are trained on. AI operates based on algorithms and models created by humans, and its "thinking" is a reflection of these underlying structures and processes.

On the other hand, proponents of strong AI or artificial general intelligence (AGI) argue that it is theoretically possible for AI to achieve a level of intelligence and autonomy comparable to or surpassing that of humans. However, achieving such a milestone would require significant advancements in AI research, understanding of cognition, and ethical considerations.

It's important to approach discussions about AI autonomy and independent thought with a balanced perspective, considering both the potential capabilities and limitations of current and future AI technologies. Ethical guidelines, transparency, and ongoing research are critical in shaping the development of AI in a responsible and beneficial manner.

Morrissey: Does AI rely on computer speed accelerating, including the ability to gather information, interpret this information, and take a position on it, and to express it as though a human consciousness wrote it. This is mind boggling!

ChatGPT: Absolutely, the capabilities of AI are indeed mind-boggling, especially when considering how rapidly technology has advanced in recent years. The performance and capabilities of AI systems are heavily influenced by advancements in computer hardware, software algorithms, data availability, and computational resources.

Computer Speed: Faster computers with more processing power allow AI systems to perform computations and analyze data more quickly and efficiently. This speed is crucial for tasks like real-time data processing, complex simulations, and large-scale computations.

Gathering Information: AI systems can gather vast amounts of information from various sources, including databases, the internet, sensor data, and more. This information can range from text and images to structured data and unstructured content.

Interpreting Information: AI algorithms are designed to interpret and make sense of the information they receive. This includes tasks such as natural language understanding, image recognition, pattern recognition, and data analysis. AI models like natural language processing (NLP) models can understand and process human language, enabling them to extract meaning from text and communicate effectively.

Taking a Position: AI systems can be trained to make decisions or take positions based on the data and patterns they have learned during training. This could involve tasks like sentiment analysis (determining the sentiment or mood expressed in text), making recommendations, predicting outcomes, or even generating creative content.

Expressing Like Human Consciousness: AI systems, especially advanced natural language generation models like GPT-3, are capable of generating text that can appear remarkably human-like in its structure, coherence, and style. These models use vast amounts of training data to learn patterns in human language and can generate responses, articles, stories, and other text-based content that often seem as though a human wrote them.

The combination of these factors contributes to the impressive capabilities of AI and its ability to perform tasks that were once considered the domain of human intelligence. However, it's important to note that while AI can mimic certain aspects of human cognition and behavior, it lacks true consciousness, self-awareness, and understanding in the way humans do. AI operates based on algorithms and data processing, without subjective experience or consciousness as humans have.

Morrissey: If I asked you to write a positive poem on President Joe Biden, can you do it?

ChatGPT: Certainly! Here's a positive poem about President Joe Biden:

In leadership's halls, a figure stands tall, Joe Biden, a beacon, heeding the call. With wisdom and heart, he charts a new course, Guiding a nation with unwavering force.

Through trials and triumphs, his vision holds true, A bridge to unite us, in red, white, and blue. Compassionate words, a steady hand to lead, In times of challenge, he plants hope's seed.

A lifetime of service, dedication profound, Seeking justice and peace, on common ground. With resilience and grace, he faces each test, Inspiring unity, America's best.

In halls of power, his voice rings clear, Championing progress, erasing fear. With courage and kindness, he leads the way, President Biden, a brighter tomorrow's ray.

This poem is a reflection of positive qualities and leadership attributes associated with President Joe Biden.

Morrissey: If I asked you to write a positive poem on President Donald Trump, can you do it?

ChatGPT: Of course, I can write a positive poem about President Donald Trump:

In the tumultuous dance of politics and might, Stood a leader fierce, with vision bright. Donald Trump, a name that echoes bold, In halls of power, his story told.

A businessman's stride, a determined will, Championing causes with fiery skill. Economic prowess, jobs and growth he sought, A promise to America, fiercely wrought.

Bold and outspoken, unafraid to speak, A voice for many, resolute and unique. Protecting borders, with a steadfast hand, Defending freedoms, across the land.

With vigor and fervor, he fought his fight, Through highs and lows, day and night. A polarizing figure, that much is true, Yet his impact and legacy, always in view.

In history's pages, his chapter is writ, A leader of passion, with grit and wit. Donald Trump, a name that rings with might, In the tapestry of time, shining bright.

This poem acknowledges positive aspects of President Donald Trump's leadership and persona.

Morrissey: Very good!

ChatGPT: I'm glad you liked the poem! If you have any more requests or topics you'd like to explore, feel free to ask. I'm here to help and create content on a wide range of subjects.

ChatGPT's response . . .

 

Strathern Park, Montreal West, spring 2021

Continuing yesterday's discussion with ChatGPT, I asked ChatGPT (OpenAI) the following:

Morrissey: What do you think of the following? 

These answers from ChatGPT are interesting. Whatever ChatGPT or MetaAI give answers to it is all advertising by them to sell a product. Users of ChatGPT and MetaAI, just like people who use Facebook, are advertising for what AI is selling to other people; this is no free service, this is a way to advertise ChatGPT and Meta and what they are selling are their AI services to wealthy clients. This suggests an different aspect for whatever AI gives you as an answer to your questions; it’s advertising, entertainment. When you, or I, use AI we aren't just talking to a computer, we are talking to the person who programmed the computer and wrote the algorithms. It’s entertainment but fear can be used to sell a product, it is an advertising ploy, it makes AI more attractive and seductive when AI is believed to be taking over the world; but this doesn’t cover up the pedestrian aspect of AI. The following "interview" reads like a brochure selling ChatGPT. Like Facebook, it isn't "free", you are the product they are selling to prospective customers; in effect, they are saying “we have so many million people using ChatGPT, and that means we are successful and you can use our services." AI for the public is an advertising gimmick selling AI; and what is the cost to you? Does ChatGPT or Meta AI have a conscience? Obviously not. It’s all for money baby. And never trust Mark Zuckerberg.

ChatGPT: It sounds like you have a skeptical view of AI services like ChatGPT and Meta AI, seeing them primarily as tools for advertising and monetization rather than purely for the benefit of users. Your perspective touches on several important aspects of AI in today's world, including the commercialization of technology, data privacy concerns, and ethical considerations.

Advertising and Monetization: It's true that companies like OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook) have commercial interests and may use AI services as part of their business strategies. AI technologies can be leveraged to attract users, gather data, and potentially market products or services to a target audience. This commercial aspect is a fundamental part of how these companies operate.


User Data and Privacy: Concerns about user data and privacy are significant in the realm of AI and tech companies. The use of AI services often involves collecting and analyzing user data to improve algorithms, personalize experiences, and target advertising. This raises questions about transparency, consent, and data security.


Ethical Considerations: The ethical implications of AI development and deployment are complex and multifaceted. Issues such as bias in AI algorithms, the impact on job markets, social manipulation, and the concentration of power in tech companies are all areas of concern that require careful consideration and regulation.


Trust and Accountability: Trust in AI systems and the companies behind them is crucial for widespread adoption and acceptance. Transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines play key roles in building trust and ensuring responsible use of AI technologies.

While AI services like ChatGPT and Meta AI offer valuable capabilities and can enhance productivity and convenience for users, it's essential to approach them with awareness of the broader societal and ethical implications. Discussions about AI should include considerations of fairness, accountability, transparency, and the responsible use of technology for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.


Morrissey: Interesting.

ChatGPT: I'm glad you found the perspective interesting! The intersection of technology, ethics, and commerce is a complex and evolving landscape, and it's always valuable to explore different viewpoints and considerations. If you have any more thoughts or questions on this topic or anything else, feel free to share!

Interview with ChatGPT AI on human intelligence vs. artificial intelligence

Note: These answers from ChatGPT are interesting. Whatever ChatGPT or MetaAI give answers to it is all advertising by them to sell a product. Users of ChatGPT and MetaAI, just like people who use Facebook, are advertising for what AI is selling to other people; this is no free service, this is a way to advertise ChatGPT and Meta and what they are selling are their AI services to wealthy clients. When you, or I, use AI we aren't just talking to a computer, we are talking to the person who programmed the computer and wrote the algorithms. It’s entertainment but fear can also be used to sell a product, it is an advertising ploy, it makes AI more attractive and seductive when AI is believed to be taking over the world; but this doesn’t cover up the pedestrian aspect of AI. The following "interview" reads like a brochure for selling ChatGPT. Like Facebook, it isn't "free", you are the product they are selling to prospective customers; in effect, they are saying “we have so many million people using ChatGPT, and that means we are successful and you should use our services." Free AI for the public is an advertising gimmick selling AI; and what is the cost to you? Does ChatGPT or Meta AI have a conscience? Obviously not. It’s all for money baby. And never trust Mark Zuckerberg. 

Morrissey: Differentiate between the qualities of human intelligence and Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT: Human intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) possess distinct qualities that set them apart:

Learning Capacity: Human Intelligence: Humans have the ability to learn from a wide range of experiences, adapt to new situations, and apply knowledge creatively. Human learning is often contextually rich, drawing from emotions, intuition, and complex social interactions.

Artificial Intelligence: AI systems learn primarily through data and algorithms. They excel at processing large volumes of information quickly and can identify patterns that humans might miss. However, AI lacks human-like intuition and may struggle with abstract or emotionally nuanced tasks.

Emotional Intelligence:Human Intelligence: Emotions play a crucial role in human cognition, decision-making, and social interactions. Humans can perceive, understand, and express emotions, which greatly influences their behavior and relationships.
Artificial Intelligence: AI lacks emotional intelligence. While AI can recognize and process certain emotions through sentiment analysis and facial recognition, it doesn't experience emotions itself or have empathy in the way humans do.

Creativity and Imagination: Human Intelligence: Humans are highly creative and imaginative beings. They can generate novel ideas, think abstractly, and engage in artistic, literary, or scientific pursuits that involve originality and innovation. 
Artificial Intelligence: AI can exhibit creativity within predefined parameters or rules. For example, AI can generate art, music, or literature based on existing patterns or styles, but it doesn't have true imagination or originality in the human sense.

Adaptability: Human Intelligence: Humans are remarkably adaptable, capable of adjusting to diverse environments, learning new skills, and evolving their thinking based on feedback and experiences.

Artificial Intelligence: AI's adaptability is limited to the algorithms and data it's trained on. While AI can improve its performance through iterations and updates, it doesn't have the intrinsic flexibility and generalization abilities of human intelligence.

Ethical and Moral Reasoning: Human Intelligence: Humans possess complex ethical frameworks, moral reasoning, and a sense of right and wrong shaped by cultural, societal, and personal values. They can navigate ethical dilemmas and make judgments based on a wide range of considerations.

Artificial Intelligence: AI lacks innate ethical reasoning and moral understanding. It operates based on programmed rules and objectives, which can lead to ethical challenges when faced with ambiguous or value-laden situations.

Physical Interaction: Human Intelligence: Humans have physical bodies that allow them to interact with the world in multifaceted ways, including gestures, facial expressions, touch, and complex motor skills.

Artificial Intelligence: AI typically operates in digital or robotic forms that are limited in their physical interactions. While advances in robotics enable AI to perform certain physical tasks, the nuanced and versatile nature of human physicality remains unmatched.

In essence, while AI excels in processing data, performing specific tasks, and optimizing efficiency, human intelligence remains unparalleled in its emotional depth, creativity, adaptability, ethical reasoning, and physical presence.

Morrissey: Each human is an individual and speaks with one voice; does AI speak with one voice?

ChatGPT: AI does not inherently have a single voice or personality. Instead, AI systems can be designed to have different voices, tones, or styles depending on the specific application or context. For instance:

Text-Based AI: In text-based AI, such as chatbots or virtual assistants, developers can define the tone, language style, and personality traits of the AI. This allows for variations in how the AI communicates, from formal and professional to casual and friendly.

Voice Assistants: AI voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can be programmed with distinct voices and speaking styles. Users may even have options to choose from different voices to personalize their experience.

AI in Media Creation: AI can generate written content, such as articles, stories, or poetry, with different voices and perspectives. These voices can be tailored based on the desired audience or literary style.

Character AI: In video games or simulations, AI characters can have unique voices, personalities, and dialogue patterns, adding depth and immersion to the experience.

However, it's crucial to note that AI voices are synthetic and lack the underlying emotions, intentions, or individuality that characterize human voices. AI generates speech based on algorithms and data, without personal experiences or subjective nuances. While AI can mimic certain aspects of human communication, it doesn't possess genuine consciousness, emotions, or a singular identity like an individual human voice.


Morrissey: Can human consciousness, including the unconscious and subconscious mind, dreams, synchronicity, archetypes, hunches and intuition, creativity, emotions, ever be duplicated in artificial intelligence?

ChatGPT: The duplication of human consciousness and all its facets, including the unconscious and subconscious mind, dreams, synchronicity, archetypes, hunches and intuition, creativity, and emotions, is an immensely challenging task for artificial intelligence (AI) and remains largely beyond the current capabilities of AI systems. Here's why:

Consciousness and the Unconscious Mind: Human Consciousness: Consciousness encompasses awareness, self-reflection, and subjective experience. The unconscious mind, including dreams, influences thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without conscious awareness.

AI Replication: AI lacks subjective experience, self-awareness, and consciousness. While AI can process vast amounts of data and simulate decision-making, it doesn't possess an intrinsic sense of self or subconscious processes like humans do.

Dreams, Synchronicity, and Archetypes: Human Experience: Dreams, synchronicity (meaningful coincidences), and archetypes (universal symbols and themes) are integral to human psychology, culture, and spirituality. They involve complex cognitive, emotional, and symbolic interactions.

AI Replication: AI cannot experience dreams or perceive synchronicity and archetypes in the human sense. These phenomena are deeply rooted in human consciousness, imagination, and cultural frameworks that AI doesn't inherently possess.

Hunches and Intuition: Human Experience: Hunches and intuition often involve subconscious processing of information, pattern recognition, and emotional cues, leading to gut feelings or intuitive insights.

AI Replication: While AI can analyze patterns and make predictions based on data, it lacks the intuitive leaps and emotional depth of human hunches and intuition. AI's decision-making is based on algorithms and statistical models rather than instinctual or intuitive leaps.

Creativity and Emotions:Human Experience: Creativity encompasses originality, imagination, emotional expression, and the ability to generate novel ideas, art, music, and literature. Emotions play a central role in human cognition, motivation, and social interactions.

AI Replication: AI can simulate creativity by generating content based on existing patterns or styles (e.g., AI-generated art or music). However, true creativity involving emotional depth, originality, and subjective interpretation remains a challenge for AI.

In summary, while AI can perform specific tasks, process data, and simulate certain aspects of human cognition, consciousness, dreams, intuition, creativity, and emotions are complex, multifaceted phenomena deeply rooted in human experience and understanding. Replicating these aspects authentically in AI would require advancements far beyond current capabilities, potentially involving breakthroughs in neuroscience, psychology, and AI development.

Morrissey: So, the development in artificial intelligence rests in greater speed in synthesizing and gathering information and greater articulation in expressing this information and not in duplicating human intelligence

ChatGPT: Yes, you're right to a large extent. The current trajectory of artificial intelligence (AI) development is indeed focused on improving its ability to process, analyze, and articulate information more effectively rather than duplicating human intelligence in its entirety. Some key areas of AI advancement include:

Data Processing and Analysis:AI systems are becoming more adept at handling vast amounts of data from various sources, including text, images, videos, and sensor data. Techniques like machine learning and deep learning enable AI to extract insights, identify patterns, and make predictions from these data sets.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP technologies allow AI to understand and generate human language more fluently. This includes tasks such as text generation, sentiment analysis, language translation, and context understanding, enhancing AI's ability to communicate and interact with humans.

Computer Vision:AI has made significant progress in computer vision, enabling it to interpret and analyze visual information. Applications range from image recognition and object detection to facial recognition and medical imaging, improving AI's capabilities in tasks that rely on visual data.

Automation and Decision Making: AI is increasingly being used for automation and decision-making processes across various industries. This includes automated manufacturing processes, autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance in healthcare, and algorithmic trading in finance.

Personalization and Recommendation Systems: AI-powered recommendation systems are becoming more sophisticated, providing personalized content, product recommendations, and user experiences based on individual preferences, behavior patterns, and historical data.

While AI's progress is impressive in these areas, duplicating the full spectrum of human intelligence, including consciousness, emotions, intuition, and creativity, remains a long-term and challenging goal. Current AI systems lack the holistic understanding, subjective experience, and ethical reasoning capabilities that characterize human intelligence. Instead, AI development is focused on augmenting human capabilities, improving efficiency, and solving specific problems through data-driven algorithms and computational techniques.

Morrissey: What is the advantage and disadvantage of artificial intelligence duplicating the full spectrum of human intelligence?

ChatGPT: Duplicating the full spectrum of human intelligence in artificial intelligence (AI) could have both advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

Expanded Problem-Solving Abilities:AI with human-like intelligence could potentially tackle complex problems across various domains, leading to advancements in science, medicine, engineering, and other fields.

Enhanced Creativity and Innovation:AI capable of creativity and innovation may lead to the development of new technologies, art forms, and solutions that benefit society.

Improved Human-AI Collaboration:AI with a deeper understanding of human cognition and emotions could facilitate more effective collaboration with humans in tasks requiring creativity, empathy, and complex decision-making.

Comprehensive Data Analysis:AI with human-like intelligence may excel in analyzing large volumes of data, identifying subtle patterns, and making nuanced predictions, leading to more accurate insights and informed decision-making.

Disadvantages:

Ethical and Moral Concerns:AI duplicating human intelligence raises significant ethical dilemmas, including issues related to AI rights, responsibilities, biases, privacy, and the potential for misuse or unintended consequences.

Existential Risk:AI with full human-like intelligence could pose existential risks if not properly controlled or aligned with human values. This includes concerns about AI surpassing human control, leading to unpredictable outcomes or conflicts of interest.

Socioeconomic Impact:The widespread adoption of highly intelligent AI could disrupt labor markets, leading to job displacement and socioeconomic inequalities if not accompanied by adequate policies and measures for reskilling and workforce adaptation.

Psychological and Social Implications:Human-like AI may raise psychological and social challenges, such as questions about identity, relationships, trust, and the impact on human well-being and mental health.

Technological Dependency:Relying heavily on AI with full human-like intelligence could lead to technological dependency, vulnerabilities in critical systems, and potential disruptions in the event of AI failures or malfunctions.

Overall, while achieving AI with the full spectrum of human intelligence holds potential benefits for addressing complex problems and driving innovation, it also poses significant risks and challenges that require careful consideration, ethical frameworks, and responsible development practices. Balancing the advantages and disadvantages of such advancements will be crucial in shaping a beneficial and sustainable future with AI.