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PaperclipPerfector  8mo ago (text post)   2848 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for February 7, 2025

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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AI can be fun too. Grok seems to have real-time access to the internet / the motte.

Asking Grok, 'What person from history most matches views expressed?'

Given the breadth of topics @hydroacetylene engages with on The Motte and the analytical, sometimes contrarian approach to discussion, one historical figure they might most closely match in style and substance is Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet, 1694-1778).

Based on the views expressed by @AvocadoPanic on The Motte, particularly regarding the interpretation of Christian teachings and a critique of modern interpretations of Jesus' actions and words, one historical figure whose views might resonate is John Calvin.

Given @Amadan 's sharp wit, engagement with philosophical and ethical questions, and a penchant for challenging the status quo or popular narratives, a historical figure they might resonate with is Diogenes of Sinope.

Grok seems to be schizophrenic when it comes to me. I put in the prompt and asked it to analyse my posts on TheMotte, and asked the question three times. I got Herbert Marcuse the first time (lol), Thomas Sowell the second, and George Orwell on the third go. These are all people with wildly varying politics on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Then I asked it to give me an ancient historical figure and it spit out Thucydides.

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