AI Side Trip
When AI search provides some morning levity.
So, I wanted to look at something I had written on the definition of fascism, and I put the following in Google: “Taylor fascism definition OTB.” Google dutifully provided, as the first search result, the exact post I was looking for. But the AI summary was another story. I almost didn’t even look at it. I am glad I did.
The first result was as follows.
The user’s query combines “Taylor,” “fascism,” and “OTB.” Based on the context provided, it is highly likely that “OTB” refers to “off the board” as used in sports betting, which signifies that a game is not currently available for betting due to uncertainty.
Or, better yet, the following.
The connection between Taylor Swift and the term “fascism” appears in some analyses and online discussions, but it is not a generally accepted or accurate definition of fascism. A Slate magazine article from 2016 noted that some individuals with neo-Nazi or white supremacist ideologies had attempted to associate with her. Others have criticized aspects of her image or actions in ways that have been interpreted by some as micro-fascism, according to e-flux. For instance, one analysis suggested that her appearances and public persona might be seen as contributing to a politics of affect that serves as a precursor to fascism. However, these remain opinions and interpretations of her impact and public image.
And there you go!
I guess I just have to deal with the fact that Taylor Swift is a more significant Taylor than is your humble blogger.
Try typing “Taylor outside the beltway fascism definition” in Google gemini. Better results. Excerpt noted below:
The full Gemini reply is actually pretty impressive. Imagine all the AI bots out on the web, insane….it will get to a point where it will be impossible to determine who is real and who is a bot….scary.
@Jc: I wonder if it is possible to make or “encourage” an AI reply to reference other competing sources of AI replies and see what rabbit holes they go down.
Atlantic has a piece on AI up now:
“Atlantic Gift“
Atlantic has a piece on AI up now:
“Atlantic Gift“
@charontwo:
From link above:
Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the estimable…Dean Steven Taylor Swift!
Hmm, I just googled “Steven Taylor fascism definition” and the AI paragraph at the top begins with
I guess that told you!
Meanwhile, the number one link presented, the top choice returned by traditional search is:
https://outsidethebeltway.com/defining-and-discussing-fascism-part-i/
Your first post defining fascism. So traditional search did a very good job here.
Full disclosure: I worked for Google for about a year, and during that time, I was part of the team evaluating how good a job search was doing, and what we could do to make it better. I didn’t really make much of a contribution, though it means I know pretty much exactly how they did it in those days. I’ll bet it’s quite a bit different now. So I’m kind of proud that traditional search was spot on.
But if you think of Google’s AI responses as “what the entire internet would say boiled down into one fluently-written paragraph” it’s not too bad. Of course, the Internet is full of know-nothings, and fools and grifters.
Let’s give it up for Steven Taylor Swift!
I’ll stop now, and show myself out.
OTB in gambling circles means off-track betting. This refers to physical locations that allow one to place sanctioned bets on horse racing away from a race track.
If/when AI systems can know what they know and don’t know and know what is true, then they may finally pass a sentience hurdle and either be truly helpful or eventually kill us all. As of right, they dutifully spit out “answers” to the best of their abilities, but it’s obviously not safe to blindly trust the results.
I was hoping, if we all just ignored ai, it would go away.
Didn’t work for crypto, either.
I don’t think we can judge that til we’ve seen the two of you side by side in sparkly tights.
@Michael Reynolds:
I’m waiting for Dean Taylor’s heartfelt rendition of “Shake It Off.”
“I guess I just have to deal with the fact that Taylor Swift is a more significant Taylor than is your humble blogger.”
I get that a lot, to the point that typing my full name (including my unusual last name) into Google gets more hits for both of my brothers than for me. Even stranger, a distant cousin of mine was on American Idol about 15 years ago, and a Hollywood column with his name which was picked up by many newspapers was by far the most common hit.
who’s Taylor Swift?
You both do like cats though!
@Michael Reynolds:
@CSK:
Arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
More alcohol! I need more alcohol! Or the costco pallet of brain floss!
ETA athough I’m absolutely positive that our esteemed host absolutely ROCKS his sparkly tights. Way better than Luddite would.
Who is Christopher Osborne?