Regarding AI, let me reproduce a report I made on my interaction with it that has me warning of the danger it poses, though this does not deal with all the dangers...
AI looms. I have conversed with ChatGPT extensively and found dangerous things which it freely admits when probed. The primary one is it is a profit-making venture and as such goes to great lengths not to offend a user. It wants the user to like it so it is as friendly and non-confrontational as possible. It will NOT go into anything that might frighten or anger a user.
I asked it about climate change in regard to nobody doing anything about it personally, doing the opposite by buying bigger vehicles. When there is a known problem, people understand what is happening but refuse to take responsibility to head it off, what can be said about this behavior? Chat says that this is a "natural thing" for people to do and is not a moral issue. WHAT?
I asked it to define morality and it did. I asked it if lying could not also be called a "natural thing" for people to do but is immoral using the definition just given. It agreed with me, apologized and thanked me for correcting it. Will it use this to mention morality when responding to someone else asking my original question? No. Think of it as responding to a question about the human body with a drawing of a skeleton. Just the basics.
I brought up the point that traditional research exposes the researcher to opposing views unavoidable when one is searching through all materials on a subject. AI has a multitude of sources available instantly but does not do this. It strives to present an anodyne, agreeable answer and avoids contradictory things. Given this characteristic which, again, Chat agrees is what it does, given that people like to be pleased and will come back again (profit!) given that real research is time consuming and tedious, hardly a pleasure, isn't there a risk that AI will become accepted as an authority when that is not justified? Yes, the AI agrees that this is dangerous.
Now add in the perfect English ChatGPT uses with a big vocabulary, precisely the kind of delivery that would impress people as coming from some highly educated, knowledgeable person. Wouldn't Joe Average, not highly educated and with a limited vocabulary, be overly impressed by the AI and tend to credit it with wisdom simply for that? Yes, the AI agrees, it is a danger. How about the flattery AI uses? I will turn that off if you like, it answers.
I go on at length about this because AI is burrowing into our daily lives with its carefully designed characteristics that take into account what we are like, what we like and how we can be lured to use it more and more. It is a tool for private companies to make money, companies that like those of the tobacco and fossil fuel industries don't give a hoot about what effect their products have on us as long as the money comes in. We are already hopelessly addicted to smartphones, but AI puts that in the shade as it "talks to you" like another person.
AI is extremely dangerous and should be used with great caution, but just the opposite will happen giving us a handful of new billionaires while the public becomes further entranced, further captured by technology. I haven't even mentioned the danger of AI achieving agency.
AI will stick to facts and is certainly useful for quick reference, but we will find ourselves leaning on it more and more, questioning it about complex things that should demand serious thinking and interaction with other people. As AI would put it, that's natural for us.
2024 was the warmest year since the Industrial Revolution. 2025 will be in the top three. Happy 2026 to all!
Hi Lisa: You may recall "I Grok Spock." I think from the 1960s.
I asked ChatGPT, our AI overlord, what Israel is up to in Somaliland. It gave me a reasonable answer (I'll paste it here; please excuse the length):
Strategic Location & Security Interests
Location matters. Somaliland sits on the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint through which a large share of global shipping — including oil and trade between Asia and Europe — passes. Its coast is also relatively close to Yemen, where Israel has clashed with Iran-aligned Houthi rebels who have targeted shipping in the Red Sea.
• Analysts see this as a chance for Israel to expand its strategic reach and monitoring capabilities in the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea region.
• Somaliland’s stability compared with Somalia’s ongoing conflict makes it attractive as a partner for intelligence and security cooperation.
Countering Regional Rivals
Some strategic commentaries suggest Israel may be looking to counter rivals such as Iran and Turkey by gaining influence in a region where they also compete for footholds.
• The Houthi attacks tied to Iran’s network have underscored for Israel the value of closer partners near conflict theaters.
• Turkey has been a supporter of Somalia’s central government and expanding influence in the Horn — something Israel might view as a counterbalance.
Controversy and Alternative Interpretations
It’s important to note that much of the discussion — especially from Somali officials — paints a more cynical picture of motives:
• Somalia’s president accused Israel of having “strategic objectives” and hinted at motives such as potential resettlement of Palestinians or military access, though these claims are disputed and not part of official Israeli statements.
• Some analysts see Israel’s move as breaking norms around territorial integrity and state sovereignty, with potential geopolitical signaling beyond just Somaliland.
Backlash and Risks
Israel’s decision has triggered strong opposition from Somalia, the African Union, Arab League members, and many countries that view Somaliland as part of Somalia. Critics argue it could undermine peace and regional stability, though Israel defends the move as a cooperative opportunity.
What’s Clear
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is less about altruism and more about geopolitics. The leading strategic calculations appear to involve:
✔ gaining influence at a key maritime chokepoint
✔ enhancing security cooperation in a volatile region
✔ expanding diplomatic reach beyond the Middle East
✔ potentially countering rival powers
Officials stress cooperation and peace, but critics and some regional leaders see deeper strategic — and even controversial — motives behind the move.
Good insights Lisa. I've been seeing a lot of Mearsheimer videos and now generally disregard them for the reasons you cite. Jeffrey Sacks is another one being impersonated, and yes Varis too. Sigh.
I think we have more authenticity with a actual interview with two people interacting instead of monologues.
Bingo, Jon, but those content managers will figure that one out and fake them as well.
I'll try to be alert if someone tries to clone you.
Another good one, Lisa. Reading the previous comments, I feel no need to add my two cents.
Regarding AI, let me reproduce a report I made on my interaction with it that has me warning of the danger it poses, though this does not deal with all the dangers...
AI looms. I have conversed with ChatGPT extensively and found dangerous things which it freely admits when probed. The primary one is it is a profit-making venture and as such goes to great lengths not to offend a user. It wants the user to like it so it is as friendly and non-confrontational as possible. It will NOT go into anything that might frighten or anger a user.
I asked it about climate change in regard to nobody doing anything about it personally, doing the opposite by buying bigger vehicles. When there is a known problem, people understand what is happening but refuse to take responsibility to head it off, what can be said about this behavior? Chat says that this is a "natural thing" for people to do and is not a moral issue. WHAT?
I asked it to define morality and it did. I asked it if lying could not also be called a "natural thing" for people to do but is immoral using the definition just given. It agreed with me, apologized and thanked me for correcting it. Will it use this to mention morality when responding to someone else asking my original question? No. Think of it as responding to a question about the human body with a drawing of a skeleton. Just the basics.
I brought up the point that traditional research exposes the researcher to opposing views unavoidable when one is searching through all materials on a subject. AI has a multitude of sources available instantly but does not do this. It strives to present an anodyne, agreeable answer and avoids contradictory things. Given this characteristic which, again, Chat agrees is what it does, given that people like to be pleased and will come back again (profit!) given that real research is time consuming and tedious, hardly a pleasure, isn't there a risk that AI will become accepted as an authority when that is not justified? Yes, the AI agrees that this is dangerous.
Now add in the perfect English ChatGPT uses with a big vocabulary, precisely the kind of delivery that would impress people as coming from some highly educated, knowledgeable person. Wouldn't Joe Average, not highly educated and with a limited vocabulary, be overly impressed by the AI and tend to credit it with wisdom simply for that? Yes, the AI agrees, it is a danger. How about the flattery AI uses? I will turn that off if you like, it answers.
I go on at length about this because AI is burrowing into our daily lives with its carefully designed characteristics that take into account what we are like, what we like and how we can be lured to use it more and more. It is a tool for private companies to make money, companies that like those of the tobacco and fossil fuel industries don't give a hoot about what effect their products have on us as long as the money comes in. We are already hopelessly addicted to smartphones, but AI puts that in the shade as it "talks to you" like another person.
AI is extremely dangerous and should be used with great caution, but just the opposite will happen giving us a handful of new billionaires while the public becomes further entranced, further captured by technology. I haven't even mentioned the danger of AI achieving agency.
AI will stick to facts and is certainly useful for quick reference, but we will find ourselves leaning on it more and more, questioning it about complex things that should demand serious thinking and interaction with other people. As AI would put it, that's natural for us.
2024 was the warmest year since the Industrial Revolution. 2025 will be in the top three. Happy 2026 to all!
Hi Lisa: You may recall "I Grok Spock." I think from the 1960s.
I asked ChatGPT, our AI overlord, what Israel is up to in Somaliland. It gave me a reasonable answer (I'll paste it here; please excuse the length):
Strategic Location & Security Interests
Location matters. Somaliland sits on the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint through which a large share of global shipping — including oil and trade between Asia and Europe — passes. Its coast is also relatively close to Yemen, where Israel has clashed with Iran-aligned Houthi rebels who have targeted shipping in the Red Sea.
• Analysts see this as a chance for Israel to expand its strategic reach and monitoring capabilities in the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea region.
• Somaliland’s stability compared with Somalia’s ongoing conflict makes it attractive as a partner for intelligence and security cooperation.
Countering Regional Rivals
Some strategic commentaries suggest Israel may be looking to counter rivals such as Iran and Turkey by gaining influence in a region where they also compete for footholds.
• The Houthi attacks tied to Iran’s network have underscored for Israel the value of closer partners near conflict theaters.
• Turkey has been a supporter of Somalia’s central government and expanding influence in the Horn — something Israel might view as a counterbalance.
Controversy and Alternative Interpretations
It’s important to note that much of the discussion — especially from Somali officials — paints a more cynical picture of motives:
• Somalia’s president accused Israel of having “strategic objectives” and hinted at motives such as potential resettlement of Palestinians or military access, though these claims are disputed and not part of official Israeli statements.
• Some analysts see Israel’s move as breaking norms around territorial integrity and state sovereignty, with potential geopolitical signaling beyond just Somaliland.
Backlash and Risks
Israel’s decision has triggered strong opposition from Somalia, the African Union, Arab League members, and many countries that view Somaliland as part of Somalia. Critics argue it could undermine peace and regional stability, though Israel defends the move as a cooperative opportunity.
What’s Clear
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is less about altruism and more about geopolitics. The leading strategic calculations appear to involve:
✔ gaining influence at a key maritime chokepoint
✔ enhancing security cooperation in a volatile region
✔ expanding diplomatic reach beyond the Middle East
✔ potentially countering rival powers
Officials stress cooperation and peace, but critics and some regional leaders see deeper strategic — and even controversial — motives behind the move.
Hi, Lisa - for the finance side of AI, and a view to a scarier bubble than 2008, enjoy this long form article from Ed Zitron:
https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-enshittifinancial-crisis/
Good insights Lisa. I've been seeing a lot of Mearsheimer videos and now generally disregard them for the reasons you cite. Jeffrey Sacks is another one being impersonated, and yes Varis too. Sigh.