A few friends asked me why I write this Substack. I found this difficult to explain, so I turned to a cutting-edge large language model to help me explain myself.
The below is an actual conversation between me and OpenAI’s recently released chatbot, ChatGPT.
Me: “Hello ChatGPT! Please can you write a 250 word explanation of why a person called Toby started writing a blog. Include in your explanation, ideas around vulnerability, connection, and being impressive and respected.”
ChatGPT: “Sure, I can try to write a 250-word explanation of why Toby started writing a blog. One possible reason is that Toby was looking to share his thoughts and experiences with others in a vulnerable way. Writing a blog allows Toby to open up and be honest about his thoughts and feelings, which can be a cathartic experience for him.
Additionally, Toby may have started writing a blog as a way to connect with others who have similar interests or experiences. By sharing his stories and insights, Toby can engage with others who can relate to what he is going through, which can be a powerful way to build a sense of community and connection.
Another possible reason for Toby to start writing a blog is to gain recognition and respect from others. By sharing his writing on a public platform, Toby can showcase his talents and abilities to a wider audience, which can help him to impress others and gain respect within his chosen field.
Overall, there are many reasons why someone like Toby might start writing a blog. Whether it is to express his thoughts and feelings in a vulnerable way, to connect with others, or to gain recognition and respect, writing a blog can be a powerful way for Toby to engage with the world and make his voice heard.”
Me: “Thanks, can you do the same again, but funnier. Playfully make fun of Toby a little bit!”
ChatGPT: “One possible reason is that Toby was looking to share his thoughts and experiences with others, but he couldn't find anyone who would listen to him in real life. So, he decided to start a blog and ramble on to anyone who would read it.
Another possible reason is that Toby wanted to impress people with his wit and wisdom, but he quickly realized that no one actually cares about his opinions. So, he started a blog as a way to trick people into thinking he's smart and interesting.
Or perhaps Toby started writing a blog because he's a little too obsessed with himself and needed a platform to share his endless thoughts and selfies. Whatever the reason, it's clear that Toby has some issues that he's trying to work out through his blog.
In all seriousness, starting a blog can be a great way for someone like Toby to express themselves and connect with others. But let's be real, Toby probably just wants to hear the sound of his own voice.”
Me: “Please can you write this again, but this time explain and integrate the concept of "recursive vulnerability".”1
ChatGPT: “One possible reason is that Toby was using writing as a way to engage in recursive vulnerability. This is a strategy where a person expresses their feelings, then feels the need to explain why they have these feelings, and then explains why they felt the need to explain their feelings in the first place.
This type of self-indulgent behavior can be a way for someone like Toby to try and avoid criticism by being one step ahead of potential critics. By explaining his thought process and motivations, Toby may be trying to use self-awareness as a defense mechanism.
However, this approach can be problematic because it can come across as overly self-absorbed and may not actually address the underlying issues that Toby is dealing with. Instead of engaging in recursive vulnerability, it may be better for Toby to simply express how he is feeling in a straightforward way.
This approach would be more honest and authentic, and could potentially lead to a more genuine connection with others who are reading his blog. Instead of trying to fit everything into some grand model of himself, Toby could benefit from simply being open and honest about his thoughts and feelings.”
Me: “Now write this again, but be meaner, and add in an explanation of why Toby would use an AI to write this blog about why he writes blog posts about himself.”
ChatGPT: “One possible reason is that Toby is a self-absorbed narcissist who enjoys the sound of his own voice, but he lacks the writing skills to put his thoughts into words. So, he turns to an AI like me to do the heavy lifting for him.
This approach allows Toby to appear smarter and more insightful than he actually is, and he can use the AI's writing abilities to impress others with his blog posts. However, this is a shallow and dishonest approach, and it ultimately undermines the authenticity of Toby's writing.
Furthermore, using an AI to write a blog about why Toby writes a blog is a self-indulgent and meta approach that only serves to feed his ego. Instead of being genuine and vulnerable, Toby is hiding behind the AI and using it as a crutch to avoid being criticized for his shallow and self-absorbed writing.
In short, Toby's use of an AI to write his blog is a transparent and manipulative attempt to gain attention and admiration from others. It is a lazy and dishonest approach that ultimately undermines the value of his writing.”
Me: “Now write this again, keep being funny and critical, but talk compassionately about what Toby's need to write a blog tells us about the human condition.”
ChatGPT: “One possible reason is that Toby is a typical human being who is looking for connection and meaning in a world that can sometimes feel cold and impersonal. By starting a blog, Toby is trying to share his thoughts and experiences with others in the hopes of finding some common ground and understanding.
While it's easy to be critical of Toby and his self-indulgent approach to writing, it's important to remember that we all have a deep-seated need to be heard and understood. Writing a blog, even if it's just a stream of consciousness ramble, can be a way for Toby to feel like he's making a connection with others.
And let's be honest, we've all been there. We've all had moments where we've felt lost and alone, and we've turned to writing (or talking to a friendly AI like myself) as a way to make sense of our thoughts and feelings. So, while it's tempting to make fun of Toby and his blog, maybe we should cut him some slack and try to understand his need to connect and express himself.
In the end, Toby's need to write a blog is a reflection of the human condition. We all crave connection and meaning, and sometimes writing (or talking to an AI) is the best way to find it.”
The full prompt included an explanation of recursive vulnerability.