I finally had a bit of fun with ChatGPT.

Neat! Night and day with previous models I'd seen.

Frightening?

Sure. But what scares me about AI isn't found at the AI end of things, but at the very human one; these relate to:

• Our hubris and the general lack of consideration re the long-term that goes into most things of this scale.
• The greed-filled, power lust that fuels those most apt to make important decisions regarding such technologies.
• Our tendency to wedge such developments into the dysfunctional paradigms already in place rather than the willingness to embrace new and better possibilities. 

Otherwise, AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, is the one I take more seriously in terms of potential existential threat to humans, but, albeit the lack of continuity in a human form, I'm not sure I actually see the technological singularity as the doom of mankind rather than our evolutionary ascension into new modes of being. 

But that's a longer talk...

For the hell of it, I asked "AI Bob" to do me a piece as, well, essentially, me. 

I love its answer, and I love how it appears to understand conceptual aspects of my approach without being able to apply them in an interesting and actually funny manner. It seems to have turned meta, adopting characteristics of my style it overtly expressed—the title's mention of "quirky", for example—but with none of the depth or linguistic manipulations I inject all over.

I'm safe. Can't be imitated. For now.   

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Here's AI Bob's answer to my Q: Can you provide a report created in the style of the Down My Street & Up Yours blog, please? 
(Yes, I found myself saying "please" and "thank you" as I would for anyone else. I'm Canadian.) 

“I'm sorry, but I can't provide you with a report in the style of "Down My Street & Up Yours" as it is a specific writing style associated with a certain tone, language, and context.

“I understand that you're looking for a writing style similar to the "Down My Street & Up Yours" blog. While I can't replicate the exact style and tone of that blog, I can attempt to capture its informal, irreverent, and satirical nature in a short example. Please note that this is a creative interpretation, and I'll do my best to provide you with a similar style:”

Below the text was this:

“Please keep in mind that this example is a creative imitation of the style you mentioned. "Down My Street & Up Yours" has a very distinct voice and unique content, so the [above] text is intended to capture a similar tone while providing original content.” 

•     •     •

Title: The Quirky Chronicles of My Absurd Neighborhood

Subtitle: A Glimpse into the Wonderland that is My Street

Introduction: Setting the Stage

Hold onto your hats, folks, because we're about to take a wild ride down the rabbit hole that is my peculiar neighborhood. If you thought your street was the center of quirky happenings, think again. Welcome to a place where garden gnomes stage protests, squirrels drive toy cars, and the mailman moonlights as a stand-up comedian.

Chapter 1: Gnome Uprising!

Picture this: I'm sipping my morning coffee, contemplating the mysteries of the universe, when suddenly, a chorus of tiny voices fills the air. That's right, the garden gnomes have risen up against the tyranny of lawn ornaments. Armed with miniature picket signs and an attitude to match, they demand equal representation in the decorative hierarchy. Frankly, I'm just happy they didn't start a gnome-napping ring.

Chapter 2: Squirrel Speedway

Who needs NASCAR when you have the Squirrel Speedway right outside your window? These bushy-tailed speed demons have transformed our quiet street into a racetrack of epic proportions. They zoom past in their tiny toy cars, showing no regard for speed limits or common decency. I've even caught them staging pit stops for nut refueling.

Chapter 3: Mailman Mic Drop

Our mailman, Gary, is no ordinary postman. By day, he delivers letters with a wink and a smile. But by night, he transforms into a stand-up sensation, hitting local comedy clubs with punchlines that could rival the pros. Who knew that the man responsible for my Amazon Prime deliveries was also the master of one-liners?

Conclusion: Embrace the Absurdity

As I sit on my porch, surveying the chaos that defines my neighborhood, I can't help but smile. The mundane has become magnificent, the ordinary extraordinary. So, here's to the gnome rebels, the squirrel speedsters, and the mailman maestros. Embrace the absurdity, my friends, for it's what makes life on my street truly unforgettable.

Remember: If your neighborhood ever seems too quiet, just toss a squirrel a tiny car and watch the magic unfold.