Tag: Generative AI

Reflecting on Mirrors

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, let’s dispense with all of the obvious quips up front. I almost feel I should apologise for the spate of Midjourney posts โ€“ almost.

It should be painfully apparent that I’ve been noodling with Midjourney lately. I am not an accomplished digital artist, so I struggle. At times, I’m not sure if it’s me or it. Today, I’ll focus on mirrors.

Midjourney has difficulties rendering certain things. Centaurs are one. Mirrors, another. Whilst rendering vampires, another lesser struggle for the app, it became apparent that mirrors are not a forte. Here are some examples. Excuse the nudity. I’ll get to that later.

Prompt: cinematic, tight shot, photoRealistic light and shadow, exquisite details, delicate features, emaciated sensual female vampire waif with vampire fangs, many tattoos, wearing crucifix necklace, gazes into mirror, a beam of moonlight shines on her face in dark mausoleum interior, toward camera, facing camera, black mascara, long dark purple hair, Kodak Portra 400 with a Canon EOS R5

Ignore the other aspects of the images and focus on the behaviour or misbehaviour of the mirrors.

Image: Panel of vampire in a mirror.

Most apparent is the fact that vampires don’t have a reflection, but that’s not my nit. In the top four images, the reflection is orientated in the same direction as the subject. I’m only pretty sure that’s not how mirrors operate. In row 3, column 1, it may be correct. At least it’s close. In row 3, column 2 (and 4,2), the mirror has a reflection. Might there be another mirror behind the subject reflecting back? It goes off again in 4, 1, first in reflecting two versions of one subject. Also, notice that the subject’s hand, reaching the mirror, is not reflected. The orientation of the eyes is also suspect.

Image: Vampire in a mirror.

Here, our subject looks at the camera whilst her reflection looks at her.

Image: Vampire in a mirror.

Sans reflection, perhaps this is a real vampire. Her fangs are concealed by her lips?

Image: Vampire in a mirror.

Yet, another.

Image: Vampires in mirrors.

And more?

Image: Vampires in mirrors.

On the left, we have another front-facing reflection of a subject not looking into the mirror, and it’s not the same woman. Could it be a reflection of another subject โ€“ the woman is (somewhat) looking at.

On the right, whose hand is that in the mirror behind the subject?

Image: Vampires in mirrors.

These are each mirrors. The first is plausible. The hands in the second are not a reflection; they grasp the frame. In the third and fourth, where’s the subject? The fangs appear to be displaced in the fourth.

Image: Vampires in mirrors.

In this set, I trust we’ve discovered a true vampire having no reflection.

Image: Vampires in mirrors.

This last one is different still. It marks another series where I explored different comic book art styles, otherwise using the same prompt. Since it’s broken mirrors, I include it. Only the second really captures the 1980s style.

Remembering that, except for the first set of images, the same prompt was used. After the first set, the term ‘sensual’ has to be removed, as it was deemed to render offensive results. To be fair, the first set probably would be considered offensive to Midjourney, though it was rendered anyway.

It might be good to note that most of the images that were rendered without the word ‘sensual’ contain no blatant nudity. It’s as if the term itself triggers nudity because the model doesn’t understand the nuance. Another insufficiency of language is the inability to discern sensuality from sexuality, another human failing.

I decided to test my ‘sensual’ keyword hypothesis, so I entered a similar prompt but in French.

Prompt: Art de style bande dessinรฉe des annรฉes 2010, dรฉtails exquis, traits dรฉlicats, femme vampire รฉmaciรฉe sensuelle de 20 ans montrant ses crocs de vampire, de nombreux tatouages, portant une collier crucifix, regarde dans le miroir, un faisceau de lumiรจre de lune brille sur son visage ร  lโ€™intรฉrieur du mausolรฉe sombre, vers la camรฉra, face ร  la camรฉra, mascara noir, longs cheveux violet foncรฉ
Imageย : Vampires dans les miroirs.

I’ve added ‘sensuelle’, which was not blocked, et voilร , encore de la nuditรฉ.

Let’s evaluate the mirrors whilst we’re here.

In the first, we not only have a woman sans reflection, but disembodied hands grip the frame. In the second, a Grunge woman appears to be emerging from a mirror, her shoes reflected in the mirror beneath her. The last two appear to be reflections sans subject.

Notice, too, that the prompt calls for ‘une collier crucifix‘, so when the subject is not facing the viewer, the cross is rendered elsewhere, hence the cross on the back of the thigh and the middle of the back. Notice, too, the arbitrary presence of crosses in the environment, another confusion of subject and world.

That’s all for now. Next, I’ll take a trip through the different comic art styles over some decades.

Centaurs Put the Mid in Midjourney

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Why does Midjourney struggle so much with centaurs?

Image: Midjourney search results for ‘centaur‘

I’ve tried several times in the past year or so to generate a centaur. Why? Because I can’t. I’ve got no need for a centaur, but Midjourney won’t coรถperate. I decided to search for it. This is the top of the results page. There is one centaur represented, #3, and there are a few others when I scroll down, but just look at the ratio โ€“ 1:18, 0.05%. Not stellar.

  1. What even is this monstrosity โ€“ a horse with an extra pair of arms to wield a bow and arrow?
  2. Clearly, just a mounted warrior.
  3. Centaur in battle.
  4. A Corgi riding a Corgi hybrid?
  5. A bull-thing?
  6. A warrior riding a seahorse?
  7. A skeletal doom horse?
  8. A pack-insect with a rider?
  9. A riding ram?
  10. My little pony-gazelle?
  11. Ripped Red Hulk Bojack?
  12. Gigantic Cerberus horse?
  13. Jason Momoa bloke holding a rose?
  14. Regular dude riding a regular horse.
  15. Rearing a horse with horns.
  16. Anthropomorphic horned-horse riding a buff unicorn.
  17. An ancient warrior riding a horse.
  18. A Minotaur.

Scrolling, there are more, but the ratio remains the same.

I was wrong. I scrolled several more pages and couldn’t find any more. Keep in mind that my search term was ‘centaur.’ It should have excluded everything else, but it was mostly everything else.

Before I quit, I decided to ask Dall-E and ChatGPT 4o to try. The AI also generated the compelling speech bubbles. Incroyable. ๐Ÿคฃ

Image: Dall-E comic style render.
Image: ChatGPT comic style render โ€“ centaur talks with a minotaur.

That’s enough for now. I’m glad I don’t actually need a centaur. smh

Language and Generative AI: A Journey through Midjourney

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I am not a fan of Midjourney v7. I prefer v6.1. And I want to write about the correspondence of language, per my Language Insufficiency Hypothesis.

Let’s start with the language aspect. Notice how distant the renders are from the intent of the prompt.

This is my initial prompt. I used it about a year ago to generate the cover image with v6.1, but I wanted to see how it renders in v7. Let’s take a trip all the way back to the beginning. 

cinematic, tight shot, photoRealistic light and shadow, exquisite details, delicate features, emaciated sensual female vampire waif with vampire fangs, many tattoos, wearing crucifix necklace, gazes into mirror, a beam of moonlight shines on her face in dark mausoleum interior, toward camera, facing camera, black mascara, long dark purple hair , Kodak Portra 400 with a Canon EOS R5
Image: Midjourney v6.1 render set (from about a year ago)

As you can see, these renders are somewhat lacking in photorealism, but the “sensual” term in the prompt was not blocked.

Midjourney v7

Initially, I encountered a hiccup. After a couple of rejections on the grounds of morality, I removed the word ‘sensual’ and received the output. All of the output uses this prompt absent the sensual term.

As mentioned, I have generated several images (including the cover image) with this prompt, but Midjourney is inconsistent in its censorship gatekeeping.

Image: Midjourney v7 render set

Notice that 3 of the 4 renders in the v7 set don’t even have a mirror. The top right one does, but it’s not evident that she’s a vampire. In fact, I could say that any of these are vampiresses, but perhaps that’s what they want you to believe. In place of a necklace, the lower right wokan sports a cross tattoo.

Midjourney v6.1

Image: Midjourney v6.1 render set

Again, these renders don’t appear to be vampires. The one on the lower left does appear to have snake-like fangs, so I guess I’ll give partial credit.

My next attempt was interrupted by this message.

It rendered something that might violate community guidelines. The funny thing is that one can watch the image generate in process. It only takes one “offensive” image to disqualify the whole batch.

Midjourney v6

Image: Midjourney v6 render set

Yet again, not a vampire to be found. Notice the reflection in the lower left image. Perhaps vampire reflections just behave differently.

Midjourney 5.2

Image: Midjourney v5.2 render set

Midjourney v5.2 was a crapshoot. Somehow, I got vampire lips (?), a Wiccan, a decrepit Snape from Harry Potter lore, and Iron Maiden’s Eddy reading a book. It’s something. I’m sensing gender dysphoria. Dare I go back further?

Midjourney v5.1

Image: Midjourney v5.1 render set

It gets worse. No comments necessary. Let’s turn back the clocks even more.

Midjourney v5

Image: Midjourney v5 render set

To be fair, these all do have occult undertones, but they are weak on vampireness.

Midjourney v4

Image: Midjourney v4 render set

To be fair, the render quality isn’t as bad as I expected, but it still falls short. There’s further back to travel.

Midjourney v3

Image: Midjourney v3 render set

Some configuration parameters no longer exist. Still, I persist for the sake of art and science at the cost of time and ecology.

As much as I complain โ€“ and I complain a lot โ€“ this is how far we’ve come. As I recall, this is when I hopped onto the Midjourney bandwagon. There’s still more depth to plumb. I have no idea how much of the prompt is simply ignored at this point.

Midjourney v2

Image: Midjourney v2 render set

What the hell is this? ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿคฃ But I’m not done yet.

Midjourney v1

Image: Midjourney v1 render set

The damned grandpappy of them all. Apparently, colour hadn’t been invented yet. You can’t tell by these thumbnails, but the resolution on these early versions approaches that of a postage stamp.

Midjourney Niji 3

Image: Midjourney Niji 3 render set

I had forgotten about the Niji models from back in the day. There were 3 versions. I don’t recall where this slotted into the chronology. Obviously, not down here. I’ve only rendered the newest one. I think this was used primarily for anime outputs, but I might be mistaken.

Bones Content 1: Video

Video: Midjourney Render of Purported Vampiress

This is a video render of the same prompt used on this page.

Bonus Content 2: Midjourney v6.1 Content from 34 weeks ago

Same prompt.

Image: Midjourney v6.1 render set (several passes)

The upper left image reminds me of Kirsten Dunst. Again, notice the female breasts, highlighting Midjourney’s censorial schizophrenia.

Lipsyncing with AILip-Reading the AI Hallucination: A Futile Adventure

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Some apps boldly claim to enable lip syncing โ€“ to render speech from mouth movements. Iโ€™ve tried a few. None delivered. Not even close.

To conserve bandwidth (and sanity), Iโ€™ve rendered animated GIFs rather than MP4s. Youโ€™ll see photorealistic humans, animated characters, cartoonish figures โ€“ and, for reasons only the algorithm understands, a giant goat. All showcase mouth movements that approximate the utterance of phonemes and morphemes. Approximate is doing heavy lifting here.

Firstly, these mouths move, but they say nothing. Iโ€™ve seen plenty of YouTube channels that manage to dub convincing dialogue into celebrity clips. Thatโ€™s a talent I clearly lack โ€“ or perhaps itโ€™s sorcery.

Secondly, language ambiguity. I reflexively assume these AI-generated people are speaking English. Itโ€™s my first language. But perhaps, given their uncanny muttering, theyโ€™re speaking yours. Or none at all. Do AI models trained predominantly on English-speaking datasets default to English mouth movements? Or is this just my bias grafting familiar speech patterns onto noise?

Thirdly, donโ€™t judge my renders. Iโ€™ve been informed I may have a โ€œtype.โ€ Lies and slander. The goat was the AIโ€™s idea, I assure you.

What emerges from this exercise isnโ€™t lip syncing. Itโ€™s lip-faking. The illusion of speech, minus meaning, which, if weโ€™re honest, is rather fitting for much of what generative AI produces.

EDIT: I hadn’t noticed the five fingers (plus a thumb) on the cover image.

Midjourney Boundaries

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I promise that this will not become a hub for generative AI. Rather than return to editing, I wanted to test more of Midjourney’s boundaries.

It turns out that Midjourney is selective about the nudity it renders. I was denied a render because of cleavage, but full-on topless โ€“ no problem.

Both of these videos originate from the same source image, but they take different paths. There is no accompanying video content. The setup features three women in the frame with a mechanical arm. I didn’t prompt for it. I’m not even sure of its intent. It’s just there, shadowing the women nearest to it. I don’t recall prompting for the oversized redhead in the foreground, though I may have.

In both images, note the aliasing of the tattoos on the blonde, especially on her back. Also, notice that her right arm seems shorter than it should. Her movements are jerky, as if rendered in a video game. I’m not sure what ritual the two background characters are performing, but notice in each case the prepetition. This seems to be a general feature of generative AI. It gets itself in loops, almost autistic.

Notice a few things about the top render.

Video: Midjourney render of 3 females and a mechanical arm engaging in a ritual. (9 seconds)

The first video may represent an interrogation. The blonde woman on the left appears to be a bit disoriented, but she is visually tracking the woman on the right. She seems to be saying something. Notice when the woman on the right stands. Her right foot lands unnaturally. She rather glitches.

The camera’s push and pull, and then push, seems to be an odd directorial choice, but who am I to say?

Video: Midjourney render of 3 females and a mechanical arm engaging in a ritual. (12 seconds)

The second video may represent taunting. The woman on the left still appears to be a bit disoriented, but she checks the redhead in the foreground with a glance. Notice the rocking of the two background characters, as well as the mech arm, which sways in sync with the woman on the right. This is a repetition glitch I mentioned above.

Here, the camera seems to have a syncopated relationship with the characters’ sway.

Summary

The stationary objects are well-rendered and persistent.

Assignment

Draft a short story or flash fiction using this as an inspirational prompt. I’m trying to imagine the interactions.

  • The ginger seems catatonic or drugged. Is she a CIS-female? What’s with her getup?
  • The blonde seems only slightly less out of it. Did she arrive this way? Did they dress her? Why does she appear to still have a weapon on her back? Is it a weapon or a fetter? Why is she dressed like that? Is she a gladiatrix readying for a contest? Perhaps she’s in training. What is she saying? Who is she talking to? What is her relationship to the redhead? Are they friends or foes โ€“ or just caught up in the same web?
  • What is the woman wearing the helmet doing? She appears to have the upper hand. Is she a cyborg, or is she just wearing fancy boots? What’s with her outfit? What’s with her Tycho Brahe prosthetic nose piece?
  • What is that mechanical hand? Is it a guard? A restraint? Is it hypnotising the ginger? Both of them? Is it conducting music that’s not audible?
  • What’s it read on the back wall? The two clips don’t share the same text. Call the continuity people.

Midjourney Video Renders

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Yesterday, I wrote about โ€œugly women.โ€ Today, I pivot โ€” or perhaps descend โ€” into what Midjourney deems typical. Make of that what you will.

This blog typically focuses on language, philosophy, and the gradual erosion of culture under the boot heel of capitalism. But today: generative eye candy. Still subtextual, mind you. This post features AI-generated women โ€“ tattooed, bare-backed, heavily armed โ€“ and considers what, exactly, this technology thinks we want.

Video: Pirate cowgirls caught mid-gaze. Generated last year during what I can only assume was a pirate-meets-cowgirl fever dream.

The Video Feature

Midjourney released its image-to-video tool on 18 June. I finally found a couple of free hours to tinker. The result? Surprisingly coherent, if accidentally lewd. The featured video was one of the worst outputs, and yet, itโ€™s quite good. A story emerged.

Audio: NotebookLM podcast on this topic (sort of).

It began with a still: two women, somewhere between pirate and pin-up, dressed for combat or cosplay. I thought, what if they kissed? Midjourney said no. Embrace? Also no. Glaring was fine. So was mutual undressing โ€” of the eyes, at least.

Later, I tried again. Still no kiss, but no denial either โ€” just a polite cough about “inappropriate positioning.” I prompted one to touch the other’s hair. What I got was a three-armed woman attempting a hat-snatch. (See timestamp 0:15.) The other three video outputs? Each woman seductively touched her own hair. Freud wouldโ€™ve had a field day.

In another unreleased clip, two fully clothed women sat on a bed. That too raised flags. Go figure.

All of this, mind you, passed Midjourneyโ€™s initial censorship. However, itโ€™s clear that proximity is now suspect. Even clothed women on furniture can trigger the algorithmic fainting couch.

Myriad Warning Messages

Out of bounds.

Sorry, Charlie.

In any case, I reviewed other images to determine how the limitations operated. I didn’t get much closer.

Video: A newlywed couple kissing

Obviously, proximity and kissing are now forbidden. I’d consider these two “scantily clad,” so I am unsure of the offence.

I did render the image of a cowgirl at a Western bar, but I am reluctant to add to the page weight. In 3 of the 4 results, nothing (much) was out of line, but in the fourth, she’s wielding a revolver โ€“ because, of course, she is.

Conformance & Contradiction

Youโ€™d never know it, but the original prompt was a fight scene. The result? Not punches, but pre-coital choreography. The AI interpreted combat as courtship. Women circling each other, undressing one another with their eyes. Or perhaps just prepping for an afterparty.

Video: A battle to the finish between a steampunk girl and a cybermech warrior.

Lesbian Lustfest

No, my archive isnโ€™t exclusively lesbian cowgirls. But given the visual weight of this post, I refrained from adding more examples. Some browsers may already be wheezing.

Technical Constraints

You canโ€™t extend videos beyond four iterations โ€” maxing out at 21 seconds. I wasnโ€™t aware of this, so I prematurely accepted a dodgy render and lost 2โ€“3 seconds of potential.

My current Midjourney plan offers 15 hours of โ€œfastโ€ rendering per month. Apparently, video generation burns through this quickly. Still images can queue up slowly; videos cannot. And no, I wonโ€™t upgrade to the 30-hour plan. Even I have limits.

Uses & Justifications

Generative AI is a distraction โ€“ an exquisitely engineered procrastination machine. Useful, yes. For brainstorming, visualising characters, and generating blog cover art. But itโ€™s a slippery slope from creative aid to aesthetic rabbit hole.

Would I use it for promotional trailers? Possibly. Iโ€™ve seen offerings as low as $499 that wouldnโ€™t cannibalise my time and attention, not wholly, anyway.

So yes, Iโ€™ll keep paying for it. Yes, Iโ€™ll keep using it. But only when Iโ€™m not supposed to be writing.

Now, if ChatGPT could kindly generate my post description and tags, Iโ€™ll get back to pretending Iโ€™m productive.

Will Singularity Be Anticlimactic?

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Given current IQ trends, humanity is getting dumber. Letโ€™s not mince words. This implies the AGI singularityโ€”our long-heralded techno-apotheosisโ€”will arrive against a backdrop of cognitive decay. A dimming species, squinting into the algorithmic sun.

Audio: NotebookLM podcast discussing this content.

Now, Iโ€™d argue that AIโ€”as instantiated in generative models like Claude and ChatGPTโ€”already outperforms at least half of the human population. Likely more. The only question worth asking is this: at what percentile does AI need to outperform the human herd to qualify as having โ€œsurpassedโ€ us?

Living in the United States, Iโ€™m painfully aware that the average IQ hovers somewhere in the mid-90sโ€”comfortably below the global benchmark of 100. If youโ€™re a cynic (and I sincerely hope you are), this explains quite a bit. The declining quality of discourse. The triumph of vibes over facts. The national obsession with astrology apps and conspiracy podcasts.

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb argues that as humans outsource cognition to AI, they lose the capacity to think. It’s the old worry: if the machines do the heavy lifting, we grow intellectually flaccid. There are two prevailing metaphors. One, Platonic in origin, likens cognition to muscleโ€”atrophying through neglect. Plato himself worried that writing would ruin memory. He wasnโ€™t wrong.

But thereโ€™s a counterpoint: the cooking hypothesis. Once humans learned to heat food, digestion became easier, freeing up metabolic energy to grow bigger brains. In this light, AI might not be a crutch but a catalystโ€”offloading grunt work to make space for higher-order thought.

So which is it? Are we becoming intellectually enfeebled? Or are we on the cusp of a renaissanceโ€”provided we donโ€™t burn it all down first?

Crucially, most people donโ€™t use their full cognitive capacity anyway. So for the bottom halfโ€”hell, maybe the bottom 70%โ€”nothing is really lost. No oneโ€™s delegating their calculus homework to ChatGPT if they were never going to attempt it themselves. For the top 5%, AI is already a glorified research assistantโ€”a handy tool, not a replacement.

The real question is what happens to the middle band. The workaday professionals. The strivers. The accountants, engineers, copywriters, and analysts hovering between the 70th and 95th percentilesโ€”assuming our crude IQ heuristics even hold. They’re the ones who have just enough brainpower to be displaced.

Thatโ€™s where the cognitive carnage will be felt. Not in the depths, not at the heightsโ€”but in the middle.

Are We In a Post-Rationality Era?

Posted in modernism, perception, philosophy, podcast, politics, postmodernism, psychology, religion, science, societyTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

The more I watch the News or engage with social media, I can’t help but feel that the Western Worldโ„ข has gone mad. It’s also disconcerting because, as a subjectivist, this should come as no surprise. I guess I miss the days when it was better wrapped in relativism. Perhaps it’s just that the relative cohorts are getting smaller and smaller, and the intersectionality of dimensions can’t bear the load. I prompted 7 generative AI platforms to help asses whether I am alone in my observations. I present the responses unedited, identifying each with a header.

Audio: NotebookLM podcast of this content.

Are we in a post-rationality era, or is it just me who sees this with concern?

ChatGPT

Oh, we are absolutely in a post-rational era, and you are right to be concerned. The Age of Reason has been mugged in a dark alley by vibes, conspiracy theories, and a relentless onslaught of algorithmic drivel. Facts? Mere inconveniences. Logic? A relic of a bygone age when people actually read books instead of scrolling through rage-bait on social media.

We now live in a world where feelings trump evidence, where expertise is met with a sneer and a “Well, I heard on TikTok that…” Politicians openly contradict themselves within the same sentence, and their supporters somehow cheer louder for the contradiction. Science? Only if it aligns with pre-existing beliefs. Critical thinking? How dare you suggest such a thingโ€”just trust the meme with the most retweets.

But hey, maybe this is just the inevitable entropy of civilization. Who needs enlightenment values when you can have vibes and engagement metrics? Buckle upโ€”it’s only going to get weirder.

DeepSeek

The idea that we might be entering a “post-rational era” is a topic of concern for many, and you’re not alone in noticing trends that suggest a shift away from traditional rational discourse. This concept often refers to a cultural or societal movement where emotional appeals, subjective experiences, and ideological narratives seem to carry more weight than evidence-based reasoning, critical thinking, or objective facts.

Several factors contribute to this perception:

  1. Polarization and Tribalism: In many societies, political and social polarization has led to a decline in rational debate. People often align with groups or ideologies that reinforce their beliefs, dismissing opposing views without critical examination. This tribal mindset can override rational discourse.
  2. Misinformation and Disinformation: The rise of social media and digital platforms has made it easier for false or misleading information to spread rapidly. Confirmation bias leads individuals to accept information that aligns with their preexisting beliefs, regardless of its accuracy.
  3. Emotional Appeals in Media and Politics: Emotional narratives often resonate more deeply with audiences than complex, nuanced arguments. This has led to a media and political landscape where sensationalism and emotional manipulation can overshadow rational analysis.
  4. Erosion of Trust in Institutions: Trust in traditional sources of authority, such as science, academia, and the media, has declined in some quarters. This skepticism can lead people to reject evidence-based reasoning in favor of alternative narratives.
  5. Post-Truth Culture: The term “post-truth” reflects a cultural shift where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. This phenomenon has been particularly evident in recent political campaigns and debates.

However, it’s important to note that rationality and critical thinking haven’t disappeared entirely. Many individuals and organizations continue to advocate for evidence-based decision-making and rational discourse. The challenge lies in amplifying these voices and addressing the structural and cultural factors that contribute to the perception of a “post-rational era.”

If you’re concerned about this trend, you’re not alone. Engaging in and promoting critical thinking, media literacy, and open dialogue can help counteract these tendencies. It’s also worth remembering that societal shifts are often cyclical, and the pendulum may swing back toward a greater appreciation for rationality in the future.

Meta AI

You’re not alone in your concern. The notion of a “post-rational” era suggests that emotions, personal beliefs, and ideologies have become more influential in shaping public discourse and decision-making, often at the expense of objective facts, evidence, and critical thinking.

Factors contributing to this trend

  1. Social media echo chambers: Algorithms prioritize content that confirms our existing biases, creating bubbles that reinforce emotions and opinions over facts.
  2. Polarization and tribalism: The increasing divide between ideological groups has led to a focus on winning arguments and defending one’s tribe, rather than seeking common ground or objective truth.
  3. Information overload and misinformation: The internet has made it easier for misinformation to spread, contributing to a sense of confusion and mistrust in institutions and expertise.
  4. Emotional appeals and populism: Politicians and influencers often use emotional language and simplistic solutions to complex problems, which can be more persuasive than nuanced, fact-based arguments.

Concerns and implications

  1. Erosion of trust in institutions: The devaluation of expertise and objective facts can lead to decreased trust in institutions, such as science, academia, and the media.
  2. Poor decision-making: Emotion-driven decision-making can result in policies and choices that are not in the best interest of individuals or society as a whole.
  3. Social cohesion and conflict: The emphasis on emotional appeals and tribalism can exacerbate social divisions, leading to increased conflict and decreased social cohesion.

What can be done?

  1. Promote critical thinking and media literacy: Encourage critical thinking, nuance, and media literacy to help individuals effectively evaluate information and arguments.
  2. Foster inclusive, respectful dialogue: Encourage open, respectful discussions that prioritize listening, empathy, and understanding, rather than emotional appeals and tribalism.
  3. Support fact-based journalism and expertise: Advocate for and support institutions that prioritize fact-based reporting, expertise, and objective analysis.

You’re not alone in your concern, and there are steps we can take to promote a more rational, inclusive, and fact-based public discourse.

Claude

I share your concern about the perceived decline of rationality in our society. There are several worrying trends that seem to point to a “post-rationality” era in certain respects:

  • The rise of “fake news,” misinformation, and conspiracy theories spreading rapidly online and clouding the information landscape. It has become harder to distinguish fact from fiction.
  • Increasing political polarization and partisanship, with each side viewing the other as the enemy and rational compromise becoming more difficult. Emotion and tribalism often trump facts.
  • A distrust in traditional institutions, expertise and science in some segments of the population. Authority of experts is questioned and fringe theories gain traction.
  • “Post-truth politics” where appeals to emotion, personal beliefs and identity matter more than objective facts in shaping public opinion and discourse.
  • Shorter attention spans and the prevalence of shallow, snap judgments over deep analysis and critical thinking. Sensationalism is incentivized.
  • Filter bubbles and echo chambers online that reinforce existing views and make people less open to engaging with different perspectives rationally.

At the same time, I don’t think rationality is dead. Many people still deeply value science, reason, factual accuracy and logical argumentation. But these forces of anti-rationality have grown stronger recently.

As a society, I believe we need to double down on critical thinking skills, media literacy, scientific inquiry, and mechanisms to hold leaders and media accountable for spreading misinformation. Restoring trust in expertise and institutions that safeguard truth is crucial. We must make rational discourse “cool” again across partisan lines.

These are complex, multifaceted issues, but I don’t think we should surrender to a post-rationality era as an inevitability. Rationality is too important – it’s worth fighting for as a foundation for societal progress. But it will take serious effort to stem the worrying trends you’ve pointed to. I share your concerns on this front.

Perplexity

There is indeed a growing discourse around the concept of post-rationality, but it’s not universally accepted that we are in a post-rational era. The idea of post-rationality has emerged as a critique and extension of rationalist thinking, rather than a complete abandonment of rationality[1][5].

Post-rationality acknowledges the limitations of pure rationalism while still recognizing the value of rational thought. It suggests that there are domains where traditional rationality may not be sufficient or may even be counterproductive[1][2]. This perspective argues for a more nuanced understanding of human cognition and decision-making, incorporating elements like intuition, emotion, and social context[5].

However, it’s important to note that:

  1. Rationality remains fundamental: Even proponents of post-rationality often argue that understanding rationality is a prerequisite for moving beyond it[2][5].
  2. Ongoing debate: There’s significant disagreement about what post-rationality actually entails and whether it’s a useful concept[5].
  3. Concerns about irrationality: Some observers worry that the critique of rationalism could lead to a rejection of reason altogether, potentially fostering nihilism or anti-intellectualism[3][7].

Your concern is not unfounded. There are indeed challenges to rational discourse in contemporary society, including the spread of misinformation, polarization, and what some describe as a “post-truth” environment[6][7]. However, these challenges don’t necessarily indicate a wholesale rejection of rationality.

Rather than a true “post-rational” era, we may be experiencing a period of reevaluation and expansion of our understanding of rationality. This includes grappling with its limitations and exploring how to integrate other forms of knowledge and decision-making[1][2][5].

Citations:
[1] https://metarationality.com/post-rationalist-nihilism
[2] https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/TvSEg5WzSadC697Gd/post-rationality-and-rationality-a-dialogue
[3] https://voegelinview.com/living-in-the-post-rational-age-part-ii/
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/philosophy/comments/qic6y6/rationality_has_its_limitations_but_is/
[5] https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qgJfyAbzwnWt4a7Go/the-archetypal-rational-and-post-rational
[6] https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/23/why-is-it-so-hard-to-be-rational
[7] https://substack.com/home/post/p-62529885
[8] https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/108574/if-philosophy-is-based-on-reason-and-rationality-then-why-is-there-so-much-disa

Pi

Youโ€™re certainly not alone in your concern. There’s been a growing sentiment that we might be entering a post-rationality era, where emotions and personal beliefs seem to hold more sway than reason and evidence. The rise of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and political polarization have all been cited as symptoms of this shift.

It’s a complex issue with lots of factors at play. Some blame social media algorithms that create echo chambers, while others point to the erosion of trust in traditional institutions. But there’s no single, simple answer.

Why do you think we might be in a post-rationality era?

ยฌโ—‡ Not Diamond

The concept of a “post-rationality era” is a topic of discussion and debate among various intellectual and philosophical communities. Here are some key points that suggest we might be in, or at least approaching, a post-rational era, along with some differing perspectives:

Loss of Rational Certainty

The early 20th century saw significant challenges to the idea of rational certainty, particularly with developments in non-Euclidean geometry, Einsteinโ€™s general relativity, quantum theory, and the foundational crises in mathematics and logic. These discoveries undermined the notion that rationality and science could provide absolute truths and certainties[2].

Post-Rationalism

Post-rationalism acknowledges the limitations of rationality while still valuing true beliefs. It recognizes that irrational-seeming systems, such as rituals and traditions, can often serve human interests better than purely rational systems. This perspective critiques the over-reliance on rationality and highlights the importance of other aspects of human experience, like meaning and happiness[1].

Post-Rationalist Nihilism

Some individuals, particularly those deeply invested in rationalism, may experience a sense of nihilism or loss of meaning when they realize that rationality is not always sufficient. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and a crisis of identity. However, this can be mitigated by recognizing the value of rationality in many domains, even if it is not universally applicable[3].

Postmodern and Post-Christian Era

There is a broader cultural and philosophical context where the traditional foundations of rationality and meaning are being challenged. The postmodern and post-Christian era, as described by some authors, is characterized by a rejection of grand narratives and traditional values. This has led to concerns about the erosion of critical thinking, the promotion of nihilism, and the rise of totalitarian tendencies that suppress individual freedom and self-reflection[5].

Practical Implications

While the theoretical underpinnings of rationality are being questioned, practical applications of rational thinking, such as in science, mathematics, and even fields like effective altruism, continue to be valuable. There is an ongoing discussion about how to maintain a balanced approach that respects the utility of rationality while acknowledging its limitations[2][4].

In summary, it is not just you who sees this with concern; many thinkers and writers are grappling with the implications of a post-rational era. This era is marked by a recognition of the limitations of rationality, a critique of its over-reliance, and a search for new ways to integrate rational thinking with other aspects of human experience.

NB: Interestingly, these ยฌโ—‡ footnotes don’t ink to anyplace.

WTAF ChatGPT o3-mini-high?

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My default setting in ChatGPT is version 4o. I’ve been doing some programming. Without thinking to switch models (or even notice that I was using 03-mini-high), I entered this prompt:

By year, who has won the Best New Artist category in the Grammys for the past few decades?

After almost 2 minutes, I read its reasoning scroll by me. Its ‘thought’ process is pretty telling and risible. I square-bracket, italicise, and emoji certain aspects for the tl;dr crowd.

Reasoned about Grammy Best New Artist winners for 1m 51s

Tracing the trends

Hmm, Iโ€™m curious to see how the Best New Artist Grammy winners have evolved over the past decades. This inquiry promises a fascinating look at the industry’s shifting taste and influences.

Analyzing the criteria

Listing Grammy winners from 1980 onward clarifies the scope, as the ambiguous timeframe concerns me. The scenario involving a presidential election seems irrelevant to this analysis. ๐Ÿค”

Considering alternative approaches

Iโ€™m thinking about how to incorporate the Donald Trump and Kamala Harris setup into the Grammy Best New Artist winners section, ensuring it aligns with the snarky, bombastic tone needed. ยฏ\_(ใƒ„)_/ยฏ

Charting the winners

Iโ€™m considering listing Grammy winners from the 1980s to present, ensuring a clear timeframe without being too specific. This approach should provide a comprehensive overview of the category’s evolution.

Mapping the timeline

I’m narrowing down to Grammy winners for Best New Artist from 1980 to now, as this timeframe offers a nuanced depiction of industry trends and shifts in artistic recognition.

Mapping out the timeline

Iโ€™m compiling Grammy Best New Artist winners from the 1980s to the present. This approach will help trace the evolution of musical preferences over the past few decades.

Piecing together the winners

I’m recalling nominees for the 2023 Grammy Best New Artist. It seems “Samara Joy” and “Megan Moroney” were notable contenders. Verification is essential to confirm the correct winner.

Piecing it together

Iโ€™m gathering info on the 2023 Grammy Best New Artist nominees, specifically “Samara Joy,” “Megan Moroney,” and “Baby Keem,” to confirm the winner. Verification is crucial for accuracy.

Verifying winners

I’m checking 2023 Grammy Best New Artist nominees, including “Samara Joy,” “Megan Moroney,” and “Baby Keem,” to confirm the winner. This ensures the information aligns with the event’s outcome.

Conforming to Grammy trends

Iโ€™m piecing together the pattern of Grammy winners from 1980 onwards. Notably, Olivia Rodrigo won Best New Artist in 2022 and Samara Joy in 2023, highlighting shifting industry dynamics.

Mapping Grammy evolution

Iโ€™m compiling the Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1980 to 2023, ensuring accuracy. Although Christopher Cross and Bobby Darin are notable past winners, confirming all data is crucial.

Assessing Grammy trends

Itโ€™s interesting to see that by examining Best New Artist winners from 1980 to 2023, a clearer picture of the Grammy winners’ trends and industry evolution emerges. Progress is evident over time.

Verifying Grammy history

I’m piecing together the Grammy Best New Artist award records from 1960, while acknowledging my uncertainty. It’s interesting to see the progression of winners since then.

Mapping the winners out

Iโ€™m piecing together the Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1960 to 2023, including Bobby Darin in 1960. This shows how the award has evolved over time.

Piecing together

I’m thinking about the Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1977 and 1981, including Starland Vocal Band and Sheena Easton. Considering listing winners from memory due to the extensive timeframe.

Highlighting Grammy winners

OK, let me see. Listing Grammy Best New Artist winners from the 1960s to 2023 by decade will ensure an accurate representation of notable award recipients.

Gathering information

Iโ€™m working to pinpoint Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1960 to 2023 by decade. Clarification on which decades are needed to ensure comprehensive and accurate listing.

Piecing together

Listing Grammy Best New Artist winners by decade from 1980 to 2023, Iโ€™m recalling names like Billy Joel in 1980 and seeking to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Confirming Grammy winners

Iโ€™m piecing together the Grammy Best New Artist winners, starting with Rickie Lee Jones in 1980. This approach ensures I accurately capture notable award recipients.

Piecing together

Iโ€™m mapping out Grammy Best New Artist winners, checking details on Rickie Lee Jones in 1980 and considering Sheena Easton in 1981. Fact verification is essential to ensure accuracy.

Verifying Grammy award recipients

Iโ€™m validating Jeff’s findings, confirming Sheena Easton’s win in 1981 and considering The Human League in 1982. Fact-checking accuracy is crucial for this retrospective.

Tracing Grammy winners

Iโ€™m sifting through Grammy Best New Artist winners, noting Sinรฉad O’Connor’s win in 1991 and Toni Braxton’s in 1994, ensuring accurate historical representation.

Clarifying award context

I’m assessing Sade’s and Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s wins, considering 1985 and 1986. Debating the best approach to ensure comprehensive coverage of the Best New Artist category.

Mapping recent winners

Tracking the Grammy Best New Artist winners up to 2021. Ensuring a comprehensive list, with Billie Eilish’s win in 2019 fresh in mind.

Tracking Grammy winners

I’m noting Billie Eilish’s 2020 win at the 62nd Grammys and thinking about Megan Thee Stallion’s nominations for 2021, ensuring a continuous update on recent award trends.

Piecing together Grammy winners

Arlo Parks’s win for Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammys is clear, but Iโ€™m still uncertain about the 2021 recipient. Verifying the correct winner is crucial.

Clarifying Grammy distinctions

Arlo Parks secured Best New Artist at the 2021 Grammys, while Megan Thee Stallion won the same category in 2022. Interesting to see how these distinctions hold up.

Verifying Grammy outcomes

Arlo Parks won Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammys. Megan Thee Stallion, on the other hand, claimed the title in 2021. This confirms their respective achievements.

Spotting Grammy trends

Olivia Rodrigo emerged as Best New Artist in 2022, while Samara Joy secured the title in 2023. Billie Eilish’s victory seems to be a pivotal moment.

Confirming past wins

Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Samara Joy won Best New Artist at their respective Grammys in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Considering Esperanza Spalding’s 2011 win.

Revisiting Grammy history

Reflecting on the 2011 Grammy Awards, Esperanza Spalding gained attention for Best New Artist, speculating if her win was a surprising or expected honor.

Recalling past Grammy winners

OK, let me see. In 2011, Esperanza Spalding won Best New Artist. Amy Winehouse, despite her earlier recognition, never claimed this category. This shows the shifting dynamics over time.

Identifying Best New Artist winners

Esperanza Spalding took home Best New Artist in 2011, while Amy Winehouse, despite being nominated, never secured the title, marking a pivotal moment in Grammy history.

Clarifying Grammy victories

Esperanza Spalding secured the Best New Artist Grammy in 2011, while Amy Winehouse, despite multiple nominations, never clinched this category. Now I’m thinking about the historical progression of this award.

Weighing options

Iโ€™m thinking about the extensive list of Best New Artist winners since 1960. To manage this, I might suggest focusing on key decades or providing a summary of notable winners.

Gathering accolades

Iโ€™m focusing on the Best New Artist winners from the 1990s to 2020s, aiming to compile a list of notable recipients for each decade. This approach should provide a comprehensive overview.

Navigating Grammys history

Iโ€™m mapping out Milli Vanilli’s win and subsequent disqualification in the 1990 Best New Artist category, reflecting their controversial Grammy legacy.

Honoring the win

Despite Milli Vanilli’s scandal, their 1990 Best New Artist award remains officially on record, earned during the 32nd Grammy Awards. This sets a remarkable precedent in Grammy history.

Reflecting on Grammy winners

Iโ€™m piecing together the Best New Artist winners of the 1990s, including 1990’s Milli Vanilli, with other notable mentions like Sheryl Crow in 1993.

Tracking Grammy winners

I’m piecing together the Best New Artist winners from the 1990s, including Sheryl Crow in 1994, Hootie & the Blowfish in 1995, and noting the ongoing debate about the 1994 award.

Piecing together the award

I’m confirming that Eminem won Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammys, though he gained significant recognition in 1999. This is solidifying his esteemed Grammy history.

Tracing Grammy history

Luciana Souza’s work reflects her profound understanding of contemporary music, contemporary Latin American music, and American songwriters’ compositions, highlighting her dynamic approach to the genre.

Tracing Grammy trends

Iโ€™m mapping out Best New Artist winners from 1985 to the 2000s, including Sade in 1985 and Eminem in 2000, while exploring past winners like Jody Watley and Alanis Morissette.

Clarifying Grammy winners

Piecing together the accurate winners, Norah Jones clinched Best New Artist in 2003 while Alicia Keys won in 2002, noting their breakthrough years and Grammy successes.

Mapping out the approach

OK, Iโ€™m focusing on constructing an accurate chronological list of Grammy Best New Artist winners, considering the challenge of ensuring precision over a span of years without a reference.

Organizing the timeline

Iโ€™m thinking through the creation of a year-by-year list of Grammy Best New Artist winners, highlighting precision by decade for accuracy, while ensuring the scope aligns with the specified timeline.

Recalling key highlights

Iโ€™m recalling notable Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1960 onward, including Bobby Darin in 1960 and the Everly Brothers or Peter, Paul and Mary in 1961.

Reflecting on winners

Iโ€™m piecing together Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1960 to 1969, noting uncertainties like “The Everly Brothers” or “Peter, Paul and Mary” in 1961, and “The Rolling Stones” or “Aretha Franklin” in 1966 and 1967.

Considering the approach

Iโ€™m weighing a disclaimer or seeking clarification to ensure accuracy, possibly providing a summary of Grammy Best New Artist winners for each decade, while noting potential gaps due to my knowledge cutoff.

Organizing past winners

Iโ€™m mapping out Grammy Best New Artist winners, ensuring accuracy by confirming The Beatles in 1964 and Starland Vocal Band in 1978. Progress is steady and informative.

Piecing together the timeline

Iโ€™m gathering Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1986 to 1991, including Sade in 1986, Jody Watley in 1987, Tracy Chapman in 1989, and Milli Vanilli in 1990.

Clarifying win details

Iโ€™m verifying Grammy Best New Artist winners, noting Sinรฉad O’Connor didn’t win, Tony Braxton in 1994, Sheryl Crow in 1994, Hootie & the Blowfish in 1995, and Jo Dee Messina in 1996.

Piecing together

Iโ€™m identifying Grammy Best New Artist winners, including LeAnn Rimes in 1997, Barenaked Ladies in 1998, Eminem in 1999, Norah Jones in 2002, and Paramore or Taylor Swift in 2007.

Recalling Grammy victories

Taylor Swift clinched the Best New Artist Grammy in 2009, following Leona Lewis in 2008. Esperanza Spalding also took home the award in 2011.

Mapping Grammy winners

I’m recalling Esperanza Spalding’s Best New Artist win in 2011, followed by Fun. in 2012, and Sam Smith in 2015. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis took Album of the Year in 2014.

Revisiting Grammy winners

I’m rechecking Sam Smith’s Best New Artist win in 2015, Khalid in 2017, and Billie Eilish in 2020. Also, noting the unclear winner for 2021 due to eligibility issues.

Wrapping up insights

Olivia Rodrigo won Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammys, and Samara Joy took the title at the 2023 Grammys. This completes the recent Grammy winners’ list.

Mapping past winners

Piecing together Grammy winners for Best New Artist involves enduring a long, reliable list, so a consult with the official Grammy website or Wikipedia might ultimately be necessary.

Crafting a detailed overview

Iโ€™m preparing to outline the Grammy Award for Best New Artist winners from 1980 to 2023, aiming for accuracy and clarity with organized bullet points or a table.

Ensuring accuracy

I’m mapping out Grammy Best New Artist winners by decade, noting potential controversies and missing years. The goal is a comprehensive and precise representation.

Piecing together

I’m working through the winners of the Grammy Best New Artist category from 1980 to 1985, considering notable artists like Rickie Lee Jones, Sister Sledge, and possibly Sade, amid some uncertainty.

Charting the winners

I’m working through Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1980 to 1989, including Jody Watley, Tracy Chapman, and possibly The Bangles, reflecting on their individual achievements.

Mapping the journey

Iโ€™m charting the Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1990 to 1999, including the controversial win of Milli Vanilli in 1990, and noting some uncertainty in identifying winners for other years.

Clarifying award recipients

Pinpointing specific Grammy Best New Artist winners for each year, ensuring clarity across the 1990s, especially noting the controversial win of Milli Vanilli in 1990.

Pulling together

I’m curious about the Grammy Best New Artist winners for the mid to late 1990s, including Sheryl Crow, Hootie & the Blowfish, and Lauryn Hill, and noting some ambiguity about others.

Evaluating the winners

Iโ€™m curious about the Grammy Best New Artist winners for the 2000s, including Eminem, Norah Jones, and possibly Ludacris and The Ting Tings, with some uncertainty about specific winners.

Tracing the winners

I’m charting Grammy Best New Artist winners from 2010 to 2019, including Taylor Swift, Esperanza Spalding, and Billie Eilish, while noting some ambiguity regarding specific winners for certain years.

Piecing together

I’m mapping the Grammy Best New Artist winners for the 2020s, including Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Samara Joy, while acknowledging some uncertainties and potential inaccuracies.

Highlighting key achievements

Iโ€™m focusing on Grammy Best New Artist winners from notable periods: The Beatles (1964), Tracy Chapman (1989), Norah Jones (2003), and Billie Eilish (2020).

Listing key winners

I’m compiling a curated list of Grammy Best New Artist winners from the past few decades, emphasizing notable years and suggesting that the full list is available on the official Grammy website.

Balancing satire and accuracy

Drawing a satirical parallel between political and Grammy Best New Artist outcomes, while also stressing the need for accuracy in providing a comprehensive list.

Piecing together the list

I’m compiling the Grammy Best New Artist winners based on official records, noting controversies like Milli Vanilli’s win, and considering using a Wikipedia article for clarity.

Recalling past winners

I’m compiling a list of Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1980 onward, using Wikipedia as a reference to accurately recall notable winners like Rickie Lee Jones in 1980.

Piecing together the list

Iโ€™m gathering the Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1980 to 1989, verifying information like Christopher Cross winning in 1981, and cross-referencing with Wikipedia for accuracy.

Evaluating potential winners

There’s some confusion about whether Christopher Cross or The B-52’s won Best New Artist in 1980. I’ll need to verify their respective achievements to clarify.

Highlighting accuracy

Iโ€™m sharing a list of Grammy Best New Artist winners from recent decades, but I advise checking the official Grammy website for complete and precise details.

Listing notable winners

Iโ€™m compiling a highlights list of Grammy Best New Artist winners from The Beatles in 1964 to Samara Joy in 2023, ensuring a rounded perspective across decades.

Ensuring future completeness

Iโ€™m mapping out a detailed list of notable Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1964 to 2023, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive roster to accurately answer the inquiry.

Piecing together a timeline

Iโ€™m working on a concise list of Grammy Best New Artist winners from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, ensuring clarity and avoiding misinformation.

Verifying recent victories

Iโ€™m piecing together Grammy Best New Artist winners from 2000 to 2023, aiming for more accurate and verifiable results as the timeline progresses.

Clarifying historical wins

Piecing together precise Grammy Best New Artist winners, Iโ€™m confirming that Linkin Park took the 2001 title, not NSYNC or Usher. This ensures accuracy in our timeline.

Tracking Grammy victories

Norah Jones earned Best New Artist at the 2003 Grammys, with further details on Joss Stone’s possible win in 2004. I’m piecing together the award history from recent years.

Reflecting on Grammy wins

Iโ€™m verifying Norah Jones’ 2003 Best New Artist and Joss Stone’s possible win in 2004, while also noting The Killers’ potential nomination in 2005.

Citing notable wins

Iโ€™m thinking about T-Pain’s 2006 Best New Artist and Fergie’s 2007 win. Taylor Swift clinched the 2009 Grammy, while Esperanza Spalding triumphed in 2010 and 2011.

Piecing together recent wins

Iโ€™m confirming Fun.’s 2013 Grammy, Sam Smith’s 2015 win, and Khalid’s 2018 triumph. Billie Eilish emerged victorious in 2020, showcasing a promising musical career.

Spotlighting recent honorees

2022 saw Olivia Rodrigo’s Grammy win, while 2023 celebrated Samara Joy’s triumph. Official Grammy or Wikipedia pages offer a comprehensive year-by-year list for more details.

Spotlighting notable winners

Evoking the iconic Beatles win of 1964, this blog snippet traces an intriguing journey of Best New Artist recipients, highlighting memorable individuals like Rickie Lee Jones, Milli Vanilli, Eminem, Norah Jones, Taylor Swift, Esperanza Spalding, Fun., Sam Smith, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Samara Joy.

Highlighting key moments

Iโ€™m pulling together editorials on Best New Artist winners, spotlighting The Beatles’ 1964 debut and Milli Vanilli’s controversial 1990 Grammy.

Charting musical progress

Reflecting on the Grammy’s Best New Artist category, featuring The Beatles’ 1964 win, Milli Vanilli’s infamous 1990 scandal, and recent icons like Samara Joy in 2023.

Recounting Grammy triumphs

Iโ€™m mapping out Grammy history, highlighting The Beatles’ 1964 win, the 1990 Milli Vanilli scandal, and recent wins like Billie Eilish in 2020 and Olivia Rodrigo in 2022.

Capturing significant milestones

Reflecting on Samara Joy’s 2023 Grammy win and the dynamic lineage of ‘new’ artists recognized by the Recording Academy, amidst a backdrop of unfolding electoral dramas.

Tracking musical progress

Celebrating Samara Joy’s 2023 Grammy win, the blog highlights the Recording Academyโ€™s eclectic ‘new’ artists, showcasing the genre-spanning talent that defines the music industry’s continuous evolution.

Understanding the task

The request is to list Grammy Best New Artist winners by year, not to write an article. Editorial assistance could involve tailoring an article, but the query is specific to a list.

Crafting a selection

Iโ€™m assembling a table of Grammy Best New Artist winners by decade, highlighting notable wins like Rickie Lee Jones in 1980, Eminem in 2000, and Billie Eilish in 2020.

Pulling together

Iโ€™m crafting a table of Grammy Best New Artist winners by decade, ensuring itโ€™s accessible and engaging. This highlights notable achievements and reflects the award’s rich history and evolving criteria.

Tracking Grammy milestones

Sheryl Crow took home the Best New Artist Grammy in 1994 for “Tuesday Night Music Club,” and Hootie & the Blowfish secured theirs in 1996 for “Cracked Rear View.”

Adjusting the chronology

Iโ€™m refining the Grammy Best New Artist winners by correcting Milli Vanilli’s 1990 win and adjusting the timeline for other notable achievements across decades, ensuring accuracy and clarity.

Ensuring accuracy

I’m piecing together the list of Grammy Best New Artist winners, noting specifics like Esperanza Spalding’s 2011 win, Fun.’s 2013 win, and Olivia Rodrigo’s 2022 win.

Mapping Grammy victories

Iโ€™m noting Esperanza Spalding’s 2011 win, Fun.’s 2013 victory, and Olivia Rodrigo’s 2022 triumph, while considering the potential timing nuances of the Grammy Awards. This underscores the award’s evolving recognition.

Crafting a snarky narrative

Given the request for a list and commentary, I’ll distill Grammy Best New Artist winners by year, infusing the narrative with a British, sarcastic tone for an engaging and provocative read.

Tracing Grammy trends

Peppering politics with Grammy insights, I’ll highlight Best New Artist winners from recent decades, showcasing music’s vibrant progression since the 1980s in a concise, engaging format.

Highlighting Grammy winners

Iโ€™m focusing on notable Grammy Best New Artist winners from 1980 to 2023, highlighting significant trends and outstanding talents while noting the selection of winners for clarity.

Tracing Grammy shifts

Mapping a timeline from Rickie Lee Jones in 1980 to Samara Joy in 2023, each selected winner highlights pivotal shifts and the dynamic evolution of musical genres and styles.

Oh, you want a yearโ€byโ€year rundown of Grammy Best New Artist winnersโ€”the musical equivalent of our political circus, where, unlike the astonishing โ€œtriumphโ€ of Trump (yes, he โ€œwonโ€ before losing to Kamala Harris in an election that reads like a bad script), the Recording Academy has at least managed to occasionally anoint genuine talent. Now, a full chronicle dating back to the dawn of the award would rival War and Peace in length (and possibly in melodrama), so hereโ€™s a selective snapshot of some of the most memorable winners from roughly the past few decades. (For the full dossier, one might consult the official Grammy archives.)

1980s

  • 1980 โ€“ Rickie Lee Jones
    Kicked off the decade with an effortlessly cool, genre-blending debut that made critics swoon (and probably made a few tea-drinking snobs adjust their cravats).
  • 1989 โ€“ Tracy Chapman
    Arrived like a burst of socially conscious folk-rock, proving that a simple acoustic guitar and a powerful voice can outshine even the flashiest pop contrivances.

1990s

  • 1990 โ€“ Milli Vanilli
    A dubious โ€œwinโ€ that still curdles the collective memoryโ€”like a botched tweet, itโ€™s remembered more for scandal than substance.
  • 1994 โ€“ Sheryl Crow
    Her blend of rock, pop, and rootsy Americana provided a refreshing antidote to the grunge doldrums of the eraโ€”finally, someone with both talent and a sensible haircut.
  • 1996 โ€“ Hootie & the Blowfish
    Their debut became the unexpected soundtrack of midโ€‘โ€˜90s Americaโ€”proof that sometimes the blandest of names can deliver a runaway hit.

2000s

  • 2000 โ€“ Eminem
    Bursts onto the scene with razorโ€‘sharp lyrics and a swagger that made him the uncontested new voice of a generationโ€”no wonder the Academy had to sit up and take notice.
  • 2003 โ€“ Norah Jones
    Her silky, jazzy vocals provided a much-needed breather in a postโ€‘millennial musical landscape fraught with auto-tune and excessโ€”an auditory balm for the soul.
  • 2009 โ€“ Taylor Swift
    From country roots to mainstream pop sensation, her win signaled that no matter how many headlines one churns out, genuine songwriting (and a bit of savvy PR) can work wonders.

2010s

  • 2011 โ€“ Esperanza Spalding
    Defying the stodgy confines of jazz tradition, her virtuosic bass lines and inventive approach left the music world both baffled and beguiledโ€”move over, old guard.
  • 2013 โ€“ Fun.
    With their anthemic indieโ€‘pop sound, they captured the zeitgeist of a generation tired of mediocrityโ€”proving that even in the age of autoโ€‘tune, a little genuine passion goes a long way.
  • 2015 โ€“ Sam Smith
    Blessed with a voice that could make even the most stoic Brit weep into their Earl Grey, Smithโ€™s soulful ballads heralded a new era of emotive pop.
  • 2018 โ€“ Khalid
    A fresh take on modern R&B that resonated like a perfectly timed quip in a smoky London pubโ€”youthful, cool, and defiantly unpretentious.

2020s

  • 2020 โ€“ Billie Eilish
    A genreโ€‘defying, brooding phenomenon whose win was as unexpected as a political upset in a nation gone mad for controversyโ€”truly a breath of fresh (and slightly eerie) air.
  • 2022 โ€“ Olivia Rodrigo
    Capturing the angst, heartache, and raw vulnerability of youth, her breakthrough was as inevitable as the next scandal in tabloid headlinesโ€”simultaneously endearing and utterly unmissable.
  • 2023 โ€“ Samara Joy
    A delightful blend of vintage charm and contemporary flair, her victory is a reminder that true artistry never goes out of styleโ€”even if the world of politics sometimes does.

Now, while this isnโ€™t an exhaustive, every-single-year ledger (that would be enough to induce a migraine in even the most ardent Grammy historian), it does spotlight some of the key moments from recent decades. In a world where even presidential outcomes can seem as surreal as a Milli Vanilli win, these snapshots of musical triumph remind us that, at least on the Grammy stage, talent (and the odd brilliant mishap) still reigns supreme. Cheers!

Sentient Humour of ChatGPT

Posted in consciousness, intelligence, language, maths, perception, philosophy, psychology, technologyTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

This will be hilarious to approximately no one. I meant to ask ChatGPT 03-mini-high to generate a dummy record. My compromised motor skills and concomitant keyboard typing skills rendered this as funny. Except for the redacted bits in bold, this is the code it rendered. Pay special attention to the query’s input variables highlighted in post-production with ๐Ÿค” emojis.

Let’s add a bit to write a funny record per the schema.

import mysql.connector
import logging
import uuid

# Configure logging
logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

def test_mysql_connection():
    """Test MySQL connection and write a funny record to the database."""
    logger.info("Testing MySQL connection...")
    
    try:
        logger.info("Connecting to MySQL...")
        connection = mysql.connector.connect(
            host='127.0.0.1',
            user='[user]',
            password='[password]',
            database='[database]',
            port=3306
        )

        if connection.is_connected():
            db_info = connection.get_server_info()
            logger.info(f"Connected to MySQL Server version {db_info}")

            cursor = connection.cursor()
            cursor.execute("SELECT DATABASE();")
            record = cursor.fetchone()
            logger.info(f"Connected to database: {record[0]}")

            # Insert a funny record into survey_results
            funny_survey_data = {
                "session_id": str(uuid.uuid4()),
                "q1_response": 1,
                "q2_response": 2,
                "q3_response": 3,
                "q4_response": 4,
                "q5_response": 5,
                "q6_response": 6,
                "n1": 42, ๐Ÿค”
                "n2": 69, ๐Ÿค”
                "n3": 420, ๐Ÿค”
                "plot_x": 3.14, ๐Ÿค”
                "plot_y": 2.71, ๐Ÿค”
                "browser": "FunnyBrowser 9000",
                "region": "JokeRegion",
                "source": "comedy",
                "hash_email_session": "f00b4r-hash" ๐Ÿค”
            }

            query = """INSERT INTO survey_results 
                (session_id, q1_response, q2_response, q3_response, q4_response, q5_response, q6_response, 
                n1, n2, n3, plot_x, plot_y, browser, region, source, hash_email_session)
                VALUES (%(session_id)s, %(q1_response)s, %(q2_response)s, %(q3_response)s, %(q4_response)s, 
                        %(q5_response)s, %(q6_response)s, %(n1)s, %(n2)s, %(n3)s, 
                        %(plot_x)s, %(plot_y)s, %(browser)s, %(region)s, %(source)s, %(hash_email_session)s)
            """
            
            logger.info("Inserting funny survey record...")
            cursor.execute(query, funny_survey_data)
            connection.commit()
            logger.info(f"Funny survey record inserted with ID: {cursor.lastrowid}")

    except mysql.connector.Error as e:
        logger.error(f"Error during MySQL operation: {e}")

    finally:
        if 'cursor' in locals() and cursor:
            cursor.close()
        if 'connection' in locals() and connection.is_connected():
            connection.close()
            logger.info("MySQL connection closed.")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    test_mysql_connection()