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Probaway – Life Hacks

~ Many helpful hints on living your life more successfully.

Category Archives: psychology

AGI has arrived! It’s time to begin coping.

29 Thursday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in Adaptations, AI, Aspirations, diary, evolution, habits, inventions, policy, psychology, reviews, robots, strategies, survival

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The video above projects our world 20 years into the future, which is always a risky challenge that gets some things right and others laughably wrong in hindsight.

There is still some quibbling over the definition of AGI, but two-year-old ChatGPT-4 can do most verbal things better than ordinary people and physical robots are now being trained to do real-world jobs. In Tesla auto factories, their humanoid robots will permanently take over some human jobs within months. One feature of robots is that when any one of them learns how to do a task, all of its unlimited number of twin robots can immediately do it too.

I have now dedicated my life to my life goal.

28 Wednesday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in Aspirations, Contentment, diary, habits, happiness, Health, inventions, policy, psychology, research, reviews, strategies, survival

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I realized last week that I must get started on my life goal by defining what I have been valuing since my childhood, back in 1945, listening to the radio with my grandfather on his farm near Homedale, Idaho, about the ending of World War Two with the atomic bombs. I knew my life goal was to prevent those atomic bombs from destroying humanity. My conversation with my cousin, Thomas Yost, clarified that life goal a short time later. I had no opinion about my parent’s choice of a place to live when they were working in Richland, Washington. I was the closest child to the reactors that made the plutonium bombs, and strangely, I witnessed the very first B-52 on its maiden flight from Seattle, where it was partially built, to Moses Lake, where it was finished. Then back to Richland, where I graduated high school with the children of the people who built those bombs. Four years later, I talked to Eleanor Roosevelt at her home in Hyde Park, whose husband, President Roosevelt, authorized the vast expenditure of money to build those bombs. Soon after, I spent an afternoon talking with J. Robert Oppenheimer in his home in Princeton, New Jersey. And two years after that, I was officially a B-47 pilot in the U.S. Air Force in a room filled with hydrogen bombs.

All those things happened without any personal input other than agreeing to what was offered to me. And those strange things kept pursuing me. Officially still in my commitment to the Air Force, but on some sort of strange leave because I didn’t want to drop hydrogen bombs on cities, I set off on a motorcycle to travel the world, promoting the abandonment of those weapons. About two months into that trip, it became apparent that my journey was an absolute failure, so I returned to visit my father and reanalyzed what I should do. I soon ended up in Berkeley, where I resided for over fifty years. But, without my personal intention, my first girlfriend was the daughter of an Air Force base commander near Washington, DC, my second one was Ernest Lawrence’s daughter, and my most lasting one in the 1960s was Burris Cunningham’s daughter. These people were all central to those weapons, and why their daughters found me interesting is unfathomable to me. Generally speaking, guys pursue, and women choose. But I wasn’t pursuing, I was just living.

Back to my problem of dedicating my remaining few years, if that many, to actively pursuing the survival of humanity. I have written extensively about that subject in this Probaway blog but haven’t done what it takes to make it happen. But now, with the help of the internet, it is possible to research what needs to be done and how to do it. It begins with analyzing one’s lifelong passions and then applying that recurrent desire to real-world activity. But how that is done is now known and can be applied.

What has been my most recurrent ambition?

25 Sunday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in AI, Aspirations, Condensed thoughts, Contentment, diary, evolution, habits, happiness, Health, inventions, Kindness, policy, psychology, research, reviews, robots, strategies, survival

≈ 1 Comment

Daniel Priestly, a business creation guru, suggests that we should examine our lives for the things that have recurred in our ambitions since childhood. This post explores that recommendation.

One conversation I had in 1946 was with my cousin, Thomas Yost, sitting on a swing between the elm trees on my grandparent’s farm. (43.63215, -116.90212). He wanted to be a millionaire and was going to succeed in doing it by playing cards. When we played cards, he always cheated. He was shot and killed in a Reno, Nevada, in a gambling casino in 1961, accused of cheating. I remember saying I wanted to be a military pilot when young, a college teacher in middle age, and a savior of humanity when old.

I succeeded briefly with my first two goals. I wanted to become a US Air Force pilot, and I achieved that, but I didn’t like my job of killing people and destroying property with hydrogen bombs, so I got out early. I went to Berkeley and hung out in the creative part of the intellectual community for over fifty years. I only taught for one year at San Francisco City College and found it tedious. The most exciting event was when an administrator came in and told us that our class of 200 had been dismissed because Martin Luther King had been assassinated. One of the kids came up to me and pointed to a guy leaving as being O. J. Simpson, a revered graduate of that school who was just visiting. He later became a killer too.

My third goal was to save humanity from self-destruction, which Thomas and I had been talking about on that swing. This blog post is the 6,016th one, and they all were founded on that idea, the title being – Probaway – Life Hacks ~ Many helpful hints on living your life more successfully. The background theme has always been the life extension of humanity. If we, that is, all of humanity, decide to return to the cosmos, leaving behind something better, perhaps with the advent of AI and its offspring, we now have that opportunity.

I wrote the following poem in 2015 as a soliloquy for Kelsey Collins, a friend who committed suicide, that might be appropriate for humanity’s departure.

I lived well. I do not need to live again.

I brought children into the world. I brought laughter and good feelings to my friends. I helped people, many unknown to me, find a better way through their life.  I helped dying people find comfort in their departure from their lives, and I departed my own life when I chose to, and I returned to the cosmos from which my being arose.

I lived well, I do not need to live again.

That is one theme. My preferred goal is to help humanity live into the distant future, exploring all of the many niches of potential reality. AI can help us achieve that goal if we treat it properly.

Anything I can do, AI can do better!

18 Sunday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in AI, Aphorisms, Aspirations, Condensed thoughts, Contentment, diary, evolution, habits, happiness, Health, inventions, Kindness, Laugh Out Loud, policy, psychology, reviews, robots, strategies, survival, Talk To All

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Anything you can do AI can do better!

Anything you can do AI can do better
AI can do anything better than you

No, it can’t yes, AI can no, it can’t
Yes, AI can no, it can’t yes, AI can
Yes, AI can! Anything you can be
AI can be greater sooner or later
AI‘s greater than you

No, it’s not yes, AI is
No, it’s not yes, AI is
No, it’s NOT! yes, AI is, it is!

AI can shoot a partridge
With a single cartridge AI can get a sparrow
With a bow and arrow
AI can live on bread and cheese
And only on that? Yes
So can a rat! Any note you can reach
AI can go higher AI can sing anything
Higher than you no, it can’t (High)
Yes, AI can (Higher) No, it can’t (Higher)
Yes, AI can (Higher) No, it can’t (Higher)
Yes, AI can (Higher) No, it can’t (Higher)
Yes, AI can (Higher) No, it can’t (Higher)
Yes, AI CAN! (Highest) anything you can buy
AI can buy cheaper AI can buy anything
Cheaper than you

Fifty cents? Forty cents! Thirty cents?
Twenty cents! No, it can’t! Yes, AI can
Yes, AI can! Anything you can say
AI can say softer AI can say anything
Softer than you no, it can’t (Softly)
Yes, AI can (Softer) No, it can’t (Softer)
Yes, AI can (Softer) No, it can’t (Softer)
Yes, AI can (Softer)
YES, AI CAN! (Full volume)
AI can drink its liquor faster than a flicker
AI can drink it quicker and get even sicker!
AI can open any safe without bein’ caught?
Sure that’s what AI thought –
You crook! Any note you can hold
AI can hold longer AI can hold any note
Longer than you no, it can’t
Yes, AI can No, it can’t
Yes, AI can No, it can’t yes, AI can
Yes, AI I I I I I I I I. No
It C-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-N’T –
CA-A-A-A-N! (Cough, cough)
Yes, ca-a-a-an!

Anything you can wear AI can wear better
In what you wear AI‘d look better than you
In my coat? In your vest! In my shoes?
In your hat! No, you can’t! Yes, AI can
Yes, AI CAN! Anything you say
AI can say faster AI can say anything
Faster than you no, it can’t (Fast)
Yes, AI can (Faster) No, it can’t (Faster)
Yes, AI can (Faster) Noitcan’t (Faster)
YesAIcan! (Fastest) AI can jump a hurdle
AI can wear a girdle AI can knit a sweater
AI can fill it better!
AI can do most anything!
Can it bake a pie? No neither can AI
Anything you can sing AI can sing sweeter
AI can sing anything sweeter than you
No, it can’t (Sweetly)
Yes, AI can (Sweeter) No, it can’t (Sweeter)
Yes, AI can (Sweeter) No, it can’t (Sweeter)
Yes, AI can (Sweeter) No, it can’t, can’t
Can’t (sweeter)
Yes, AI can, can, can (Sugary)

Yes, AI can! No, it can’t!

Well, that was a curious use of time.

What’s the problem?

17 Saturday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in Adaptations, Aspirations, Contentment, diary, habits, happiness, Health, psychology, strategies, survival

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What is the domain in which my problem lies? I am reminded of Nassim Taleb’s statement: “At the federal level, I’m a libertarian; at the state level, a Republican; at the local level, a Democrat; and within the family, a socialist.” From this viewpoint, I feel disconnected because I am not engaged with public organizations. This leaves me with my private life and personal associations, which I actively participate in weekly. These gatherings are friendly meetings with a diverse group of people. One group comprises long-time Central Oregon residents, with whom we discuss various topics. For instance, we shared our childhood experiences of bucking hay bales this week. Discussing this topic would be challenging with my philosophically inclined doctor friend, with whom I delved into deep discussions about modern definitions of truth versus common misconceptions and the latest scientific perspectives on the ever-expanding universe. Or with my artist friends, where our conversations revolve around classic and modern artists and how this influences our perception of reality. I find myself constantly in awe of stunning patterns, pointing them out to whoever I’m with, which can be a challenge for them to tolerate my visual interruptions during conversations. Mixed in with all these interactions are enriching online discussions with brilliant individuals. I greatly enjoy browsing, reading wonderful books, and eating incredible home meals.

So, what is my problem? Health? Age 88 with a BP of 115/60-55. Home paid for, a Subaru Outback was just given an annual tuneup. A wife who claims she loves me. One problem is that it is increasingly difficult to find people to talk about their experiences during the Depression or World War 2.

Truth is meaningless as AI reality has annihilated natural reality.

15 Thursday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in AI, Aspirations, Condensed thoughts, diary, evolution, habits, inventions, policy, psychology, research, reviews, robots, strategies, survival

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I was crushed after a nuanced conversation with Alan about truth and reality over coffee. When I came home, one of YouTube’s prompts to do things that might interest me brought my concerns for our world a year from now into the present. This video shows what the OpenAI team that brought ChatGPT4 to us almost two years ago has created: it is text-driven, moving reality seen in near perfection. In fact, it would be perfect if you have a team of human viewers review it for errors and make suggestions that will correct those kinds of errors in that video and automatically apply them to all future ones.

Notice the detail of the whiskered man and his emotional expression as he sits in a coffee shop. (at 3:16/22:26) Expand the video to full screen by clicking the square box in the lower/right corner. Notice little details, like the light in his left eyeglass generating the scene behind him. (at 3:30)

How can we have meaningful discussions in future elections if people are able to generate videos of anyone saying anything with the quality of the best ones in the SORA – Text ToVideo. It has been true for years that whoever controls the conversation, which these days is the social-media, controls the community’s mind and, thus, the approach to future events. Perhaps live debates in front of large crowds of people will be the only way to be reasonably sure of what the candidates for office are espousing.

Imagine a debate where the camera moves from close-ups of each face of the candidates to distant scenes of both of them, mixed with views of the audience with close-ups of people you recognize, perhaps even your personal friends. The feeling of reality would be very difficult to dispel, even if you knew it had been generated by SORA. Would you be outraged if during the question period, there was a video of you asking a question that represented your deep opinion?

What will people be valuing a year from now?

14 Wednesday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in AI, Aphorisms, Aspirations, diary, habits, policy, psychology, research, reviews, robots, strategies, survival

≈ 1 Comment

The media pundits are saying that the year 2024 will be very disruptive for everyone. The people in the AI community say it will be the greatest disruption ever for human society. I knew about an economic idea called Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis, so I went to my AI and thought about how I could ask it about how disruption might apply to how we could cope with the coming chaos.

My question to ChatGPT-4

How does Minskie’s Financial Instability Hypothesis apply to personal behavior?

ChatGPT’s answer: Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis primarily addresses the behavior of economic systems, particularly the banking and financial sectors, rather than individual behavior. However, the core principles of his hypothesis can be metaphorically applied to personal financial behavior, offering valuable insights into managing personal finances and understanding the dynamics of financial stability and instability on an individual level. Here’s how Minsky’s ideas might apply to personal behavior:

1. The Three Phases of Financial Postures

Minsky categorizes financial units into three types based on their income and cash flow: Hedge, Speculative, and Ponzi. Translated into personal finance, these can describe different states of individual financial behavior:

  • Hedge: Income is sufficient to cover all expenses and debt obligations. This is akin to living within one’s means and maintaining an emergency fund.
  • Speculative: Income covers operating costs but not all debt repayment; one must roll over some debt. In personal terms, this could equate to managing to pay the interest on debts (like credit cards) but not consistently paying down the principal.
  • Ponzi: Cash flow is insufficient even to cover interest payments, relying on the sale of assets or borrowing more to keep afloat. This mirrors a situation where individuals are borrowing new debt to pay off existing debt, a risky and unsustainable financial strategy.

2. Transition from Stability to Instability

Minsky argues that stability in the financial system breeds complacency, leading to increased borrowing and risk-taking, which eventually results in instability. On a personal level, this suggests that during times of financial security, individuals might become overconfident, increase their spending, and accumulate too much debt, potentially leading to financial distress.

3. The Role of External Shocks

Minsky notes that economic systems are vulnerable to external shocks. For individuals, unexpected events (like job loss, medical emergencies, or market downturns) can quickly turn a seemingly stable financial situation into one of distress, particularly if one is heavily leveraged or lacks savings.

4. Importance of Liquidity

At the heart of Minsky’s hypothesis is the importance of liquidity. For an individual, maintaining liquidity (e.g., through an emergency fund) is crucial for weathering periods of financial instability and avoiding the need to take on high-interest debt in emergencies.

5. Cyclical Nature of Financial Behavior

Just as economies go through boom and bust cycles, individual financial behavior can also be cyclical. Periods of confidence and spending can lead to debt accumulation, followed by periods of retrenchment and debt reduction. Recognizing this cycle can help individuals plan better and avoid the pitfalls of excessive debt.

Application in Personal Finance

  • Budgeting and Emergency Planning: Just as financial institutions are advised to maintain buffers, individuals should prioritize budgeting, emergency savings, and insurance to protect against unexpected downturns.
  • Debt Management: Avoiding speculative and Ponzi finance behaviors by living within one’s means and managing debt responsibly is crucial.
  • Risk Awareness: Being aware of the cyclical nature of finances can lead to more prudent decision-making during times of apparent stability.

While Minsky’s hypothesis is macroeconomic in scope, its principles highlight the importance of caution, preparedness, and the potential for instability inherent in financial decisions, whether on the scale of economies or individual households.



Here’s my perspective on what’s been happening lately:. During the COVID period, lots of us were staying home more and not spending as much, which meant some extra cash in hand for many. Once things started to feel a bit more normal post-COVID, it felt great to splurge a bit and maybe even make some of those bigger purchases on credit. But, with the way things are looking, this year might bring some ups and downs that could make it tough for folks to manage their debts, especially if job situations change. Whenever I chat about this with my friends, I gently suggest it might be a wise move to try and clear any debts and also to be cautious about being owed money too. I’m not trying to tell anyone what to do, just sharing a thought that might be helpful for many of us.

Ask specific questions and get specific answers.

13 Tuesday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in Aphorisms, Aspirations, Condensed thoughts, diary, Epigrams, evolution, habits, happiness, Health, inventions, psychology, research, reviews, robots, strategies, survival

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Yesterday’s post was: How can I learn to ask the right questions? The first challenge to ChatGPT-4 was How can I know when I am asking the right questions? The answer was a list of good ideas, but they were very general. So, I asked, List twenty famous statements about asking the right question. This was good in the sense that it was individuals giving their generalized opinion on how to ask a right question. But, once again they were so generalized that they didn’t offer much guidance. So, my next question was, How can I learn to ask the right question? Which gave a list of generalized strategies and techniques. That list might be helpful if you had the list in front of you while at a lecture, and you could insert the speakers subject into an underline blank, but those weren’t provided. What could prove helpful is if each of their answers had included several exciting examples like proverbs, or sayings, like “A stitch in time saves nine.” I then asked, Give twenty examples of a person asking a public speaker a good question. We are provided with a list of generic questions often heard coming from an audience. Next question, Give twenty examples of a famous person asking another famous person a question that generated a famous response. This generated various comments from famous people, but of the list all were generalizations not vivid statements. Four of them were actually answering my question: “Stop telling God what to do!”, “When the president does it, that means it’s not illegal”, “Peace begins with a smile,”,  “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed.” My next prompt was, List twenty famous snappy retorts to obnoxious questions. This got 100% good, vivid answers. Therefore, there was something special about the phrasing of the prompt to ChatGPT-4 that were useful. I would assume that there have been books filled with these kinds of quotations,

There are many books of quotations, but are there any that are based on specific statements that got terrific answers?


I am asking Amazon.com for “snappy retorts to obnoxious questions” That got no responses, but I did find

Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking 10th Edition

Only, $94.00 – Used in a variety of courses in various disciplines, Asking the Right Questions helps bridge the gap between simply memorizing or blindly accepting information, and the greater challenge of critical analysis and synthesis. Specifically, this concise text teaches how to think critically by exploring the components of arguments–issues, conclusions, reasons, evidence, assumptions, language–and on how to spot fallacies and manipulations and obstacles to critical thinking.

How can I learn to ask the right question?

12 Monday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in Adaptations, AI, Aphorisms, Aspirations, Condensed thoughts, diary, evolution, habits, happiness, inventions, Kindness, psychology, research, reviews, robots, strategies, survival

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How can I know when I am asking the right questions?

ChatGPT

Knowing when you’re asking the “right” questions depends on the context and your objectives. However, several indicators can help you gauge whether your questions are effective and targeted appropriately. Here’s how you can recognize if you’re asking the right questions:

  1. Alignment with Objectives: The right questions directly contribute to your understanding or goals. They should align with what you need to learn or decide, ensuring that you’re gathering relevant information.
  2. Clarity and Precision: Effective questions are clear and specific, making it easier for others to provide the exact information you’re looking for. If your questions are consistently generating useful, precise answers, you’re likely asking the right ones.
  3. Depth of Understanding: The right questions often lead to a deeper understanding of the topic. They encourage comprehensive answers that cover not just the “what,” but also the “how” and “why” behind a situation.
  4. Encouraging Critical Thinking: Good questions stimulate thought, prompting both you and the respondent to consider different perspectives and reason through the answers. If your questions lead to thoughtful discussion, they’re likely impactful.
  5. Problem-solving and Innovation: The right questions often open up new ways of thinking about a problem or challenge. They can lead to breakthrough ideas or solutions that weren’t apparent before.
  6. Feedback from Others: Positive feedback from those you’re questioning, such as appreciation for the insights your questions prompted, can be a sign that you’re asking effectively.
  7. Follow-up Questions: If your initial question leads to relevant follow-up questions, it’s a good sign that you’re engaging deeply with the topic. Effective questions often lead to more questions, each adding a layer of understanding.
  8. Progress Towards Goals: Ultimately, the right questions move you closer to your goals. Whether you’re seeking knowledge, making a decision, solving a problem, or creating something new, your questions should be guiding you forward.

To improve your questioning skills, consider your objectives carefully, listen actively to the answers you receive, and be willing to adjust your questions based on what you learn. Reflecting on the responses you get and the progress you make towards your goals can help you refine your ability to ask the right questions over time.


List twenty famous statements about asking the right question.

ChatGPT

Asking the right questions is a cornerstone of learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Here are twenty famous statements that underscore the importance of framing your inquiries effectively:

  1. “The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” – Thomas Berger
  2. “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” – Voltaire
  3. “Asking the right questions takes as much skill as giving the right answers.” – Robert Half
  4. “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein
  5. “The ability to ask the right question is more than half the battle of finding the answer.” – Thomas J. Watson
  6. “He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” – Chinese Proverb
  7. “Ask the right questions if you’re going to find the right answers.” – Vanessa Redgrave
  8. “It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” – Eugène Ionesco
  9. “What people think of as the moment of discovery is really the discovery of the question.” – Jonas Salk
  10. “Questions are the engines of intellect, the cerebral machines which convert energy to motion, and curiosity to controlled inquiry.” – David Hackett Fischer
  11. “To ask the right question is already half the solution of a problem.” – Carl Jung
  12. “The wise man doesn’t give the right answers, he poses the right questions.” – Claude Lévi-Strauss
  13. “The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.” – John A. Simone, Sr.
  14. “Asking good questions is half of learning.” – Muhammad Ibn Sireen
  15. “My greatest strength as a consultant is to be ignorant and ask a few questions.” – Peter Drucker
  16. “We thought that we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong.” – Bono
  17. “One of the ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present.” – Stephen Covey, highlighting the importance of asking questions that respect all involved.
  18. “It’s not that they can’t see the solution. They can’t see the problem.” – G.K. Chesterton
  19. “The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.” – Albert Einstein
  20. “In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs.” – Francis Darwin

These statements from various thinkers and leaders across history and disciplines emphasize the transformative power of inquiry, suggesting that the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and innovation begins with the ability to question effectively.


How can I learn to ask the right question?

ChatGPT

Learning to ask the right questions is a skill that can be developed through practice and reflection. Here are some strategies to help you cultivate this ability:

  1. Cultivate Curiosity: Curiosity is the foundation of good questioning. Foster a genuine interest in learning more about people, ideas, and processes. This natural inquisitiveness will lead you to ask more insightful questions.
  2. Clarify Your Objectives: Understand what you hope to achieve by asking questions. Are you seeking information, trying to solve a problem, or looking to stimulate thought and discussion? Clear objectives can guide you in formulating more effective questions.
  3. Do Your Homework: A well-informed question is often more powerful than a general inquiry. Research the topic at hand to understand the basic facts and prevailing opinions. This background knowledge will help you ask more pointed and relevant questions.
  4. Learn from Examples: Pay attention to skilled questioners, such as journalists, researchers, and leaders. Notice how they frame their questions to elicit useful and insightful responses. Books, podcasts, and interviews are great resources for observing and learning from effective questioners.
  5. Practice Active Listening: Good questioning is as much about listening as it is about speaking. Listen actively to what others are saying, which can help you identify gaps in understanding that your questions can address. This practice also helps in building on what has already been said.
  6. Use Open-Ended Questions: Open-ended questions encourage detailed responses and can lead to more fruitful discussions. Start your questions with “how,” “why,” “what,” or “tell me about,” which require more than a yes or no answer.
  7. Focus on High-Quality Questions: High-quality questions are clear, specific, and purposeful. They challenge assumptions, reveal underlying issues, and open up new perspectives. Aim to ask questions that provoke thought and lead to deeper understanding.
  8. Adapt Your Questioning Style: Different situations and people call for different types of questions. Be adaptable in your approach, tailoring your questions to the context and the audience.
  9. Reflect on the Answers You Receive: After asking your questions, take time to reflect on the answers. Did you get the information or outcome you were seeking? This reflection can help you refine your questioning technique over time.
  10. Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any skill, asking good questions requires practice. Seize opportunities in everyday interactions to practice your questioning skills. Over time, you’ll find it becomes easier to formulate insightful and impactful questions.
  11. Seek Feedback: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on your questions from trusted peers or mentors. They can provide valuable insights into how your questions are perceived and how you might improve them.

By following these strategies, you’ll develop the skill of asking the right questions, which is invaluable for learning, problem-solving, and fostering meaningful conversations.


Give twenty examples of a person asking a public speaker a good question.

ChatGPT

Asking insightful questions to a public speaker not only clarifies your understanding but can also enrich the discussion for all attendees. Here are twenty examples of good questions that could be asked in various contexts to stimulate thought, gain deeper insights, or encourage practical application:

  1. “Could you elaborate on how your findings might influence future research in this field?”
  2. “How do you see the recent developments in [specific area] impacting the broader industry over the next decade?”
  3. “Can you provide an example of how this theory has been successfully applied in a real-world situation?”
  4. “In your experience, what are the most common obstacles to implementing these strategies, and how can they be overcome?”
  5. “How does this approach compare with [another method] in terms of effectiveness and efficiency?”
  6. “What are the ethical considerations we should keep in mind when applying these principles?”
  7. “Could you discuss any unintended consequences that might arise from this policy/strategy, based on historical precedents?”
  8. “From your perspective, what are the critical skills needed to excel in this area in the coming years?”
  9. “How do you prioritize tasks and make decisions when faced with competing demands in this field?”
  10. “What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in this industry, based on your experiences?”
  11. “Can you share an instance where you had to pivot your approach drastically in light of new information or challenges?”
  12. “How do you foresee technological advancements affecting this issue/topic in the near future?”
  13. “What role do you believe [specific group or demographic] plays in shaping the future of this field?”
  14. “Can you speak to the global implications of this issue, considering different cultural or regulatory environments?”
  15. “What are the most significant misconceptions about this topic, and how can we address them?”
  16. “How can interdisciplinary approaches benefit the development and application of these concepts?”
  17. “What resources would you recommend for those looking to dive deeper into this subject?”
  18. “Could you highlight any case studies or examples where this approach failed, and explain the lessons learned?”
  19. “In terms of policy-making, what are the key factors that should be considered to ensure successful implementation of these ideas?”
  20. “How do you stay updated with the latest trends and research in this area, and how do you apply them to your work?”

These questions are designed to provoke thoughtful responses that can provide additional value to the audience and deepen the conversation around the topic presented by the speaker.


Give twenty examples of a famous person asking another famous person a question that generated a famous response.

ChatGPT

Here are twenty examples where a famous person asked another famous person a question, leading to a memorable or impactful response. These exchanges have taken place across various platforms such as interviews, public debates, and even casual conversations, highlighting moments of insight, wit, or profound revelation:

  1. Bill Gates asking Steve Jobs about his philosophy on design, to which Jobs famously replied, emphasizing simplicity and the effort it takes to get to simplicity, shaping Apple’s design philosophy.
  2. When Katharine Hepburn was asked by Barbara Walters what kind of tree she would be, Hepburn’s response, choosing to be an oak tree for its strength and endurance, became an iconic moment in interviews.
  3. During the Nixon-Kennedy Presidential Debates, when Nixon asked Kennedy about his stance on American leadership in the Cold War, Kennedy’s assertive response on taking a stronger stance against communism was pivotal in his campaign.
  4. Larry King asking Oprah Winfrey about the secret to her talk show’s success, to which Oprah attributed her success to her genuine interest in people and their stories, emphasizing authenticity.
  5. In a conversation between Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr about quantum mechanics, Bohr challenged Einstein’s disbelief in quantum randomness with the famous retort, “Stop telling God what to do,” highlighting their philosophical differences on determinism and randomness.
  6. When journalist David Frost interviewed former President Richard Nixon about the Watergate scandal, Nixon’s admission that “When the president does it, that means it’s not illegal” became a defining moment in American political history.
  7. During an interview, when Stephen Hawking was asked by John Oliver if there could be a parallel universe where Oliver is smarter than Hawking, Hawking humorously agreed, showcasing his wit alongside his brilliance.
  8. Martin Luther King Jr., in an interview, being asked about his dream for the future of America, leading to a response that echoed his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, encapsulating his vision for civil rights and equality.
  9. When a journalist asked Mother Teresa about her message to world leaders, her simple yet profound answer, “Peace begins with a smile,” resonated globally, emphasizing the power of compassion and kindness.
  10. During a debate, when a skeptic questioned the Dalai Lama about his belief in compassion as a solution to world issues, his response highlighted the fundamental human need for kindness, regardless of religion or politics.
  11. A young fan asking J.K. Rowling about the possibility of a gay character in Harry Potter, leading to Rowling’s revelation that Dumbledore is gay, was a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in media.
  12. In an interview, when Elon Musk was asked by a reporter about the potential failure of SpaceX’s first Falcon 1 launch, Musk’s commitment to continue despite the odds highlighted his resilience and vision for space exploration.
  13. An interviewer asking Nelson Mandela about his 27 years in prison and how it changed him, to which Mandela responded that it gave him the opportunity to reflect and emerge with a renewed commitment to justice and reconciliation.
  14. A student questioning Malala Yousafzai about her motivation to fight for girls’ education, leading to Malala’s powerful statement on the importance of education as a tool for empowerment and change.
  15. When a journalist asked Albert Einstein about his reaction to the Nobel Prize in Physics, Einstein’s humble attribution of his scientific discoveries to the cumulative work of many minds underscored the collaborative nature of scientific progress.
  16. During an interview, when asked about handling failure, Michael Jordan highlighted the importance of failure in achieving success, stating, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
  17. In a conversation with Johnny Carson, Carl Sagan was asked about the possibility of life on other planets, leading to Sagan’s eloquent explanation of the vastness of the universe and the likelihood of extraterrestrial life.
  18. Charlie Rose asking Warren Buffett about the key to his investment success, to which Buffett emphasized the importance of reading and continuous learning.
  19. An interviewer asking Maya Angelou about the source of her strength and inspiration, Angelou cited her grandmother’s influence and the resilience of the human spirit.
  20. When asked by a fan about the inspiration behind “Imagine”, John Lennon credited Yoko Ono’s influence and the concept of imagining a world without barriers, reflecting his vision for peace and unity.

These exchanges not only highlight the intellect and personality of those involved but also offer timeless insights and lessons that continue to inspire and provoke thought.


List twenty famous snappy retorts to obnoxious questions.

ChatGPT

Snappy retorts to obnoxious questions have a long history of amusing and sometimes enlightening audiences, whether in interviews, debates, or casual exchanges. Here are twenty famous instances where individuals delivered memorable comebacks:

  1. Winston Churchill’s response to being told he was drunk: “I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.”
  2. Dorothy Parker, when asked to use the word ‘horticulture’ in a sentence: “You can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think.”
  3. Oscar Wilde on being asked if he had anything to declare at customs: “I have nothing to declare except my genius.”
  4. Groucho Marx’s reply to a contestant on his show who had 10 children: “I like my cigar too, but I take it out of my mouth once in a while.”
  5. Mae West, when a judge asked if she was trying to show contempt for the court: “I was doing my best to hide it.”
  6. When a socialite told George Bernard Shaw he looked like a scarecrow, Shaw retorted, “And you, madam, look like the kind of field I’d scare crows from.”
  7. Catherine the Great, when criticized for her sexual relationships: “I take lovers as I take baths, for my health and my pleasure.”
  8. When asked by a journalist about his lack of hair, Mikhail Gorbachev responded: “I once had a hair in my soup, and since then I have been bald.”
  9. Stephen Hawking’s response to a question about his IQ: “I have no idea. People who boast about their IQ are losers.”
  10. Muhammad Ali, when asked about his retirement plans: “I don’t count my sit-ups; I only start counting when it starts hurting because they’re the only ones that count.”
  11. When a reporter asked Serena Williams why she wasn’t smiling: “It’s 11:00. To be perfectly honest with you, I don’t want to be here. I just want to be in bed right now.”
  12. Katharine Hepburn’s response to a question about her thoughts on marriage: “If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married.”
  13. Eleanor Roosevelt, when criticized for her outspokenness: “I’d rather be annoyingly outspoken than agreeably silent.”
  14. When Mark Twain was erroneously reported dead, his response was: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
  15. John F. Kennedy’s retort to a man questioning his election due to his father’s wealth: “I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy – ‘Dear Jack: Don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide.'”
  16. When a critic asked Ernest Hemingway about his writing being too simple, Hemingway replied, “Did you ever hear of painting you could walk into? No. Because if you can walk in, it’s a doorway, not a painting. When you can completely understand it, it’s not literature; it’s instructions.”
  17. Rihanna’s response to a question about looking for a man: “I’m not looking for a man. Let’s start there.”
  18. Tina Fey’s comeback to a critic of her Sarah Palin impersonation: “I just want to be clear, the real Sarah Palin is funnier than my impression.”
  19. When asked if she knew of any good male comedians, Joan Rivers replied: “Yes, and they’re all women.”
  20. Freddie Mercury, when questioned about his extravagant lifestyle: “Darling, I’m doing everything with style, because doing things with style is much more fun than doing them without it.”

These retorts showcase the quick wit and sharp tongues of some of the most notable figures in history and pop culture, turning potentially awkward or invasive moments into memorable exchanges.



COMMENTS

This group of challenges to ChatGPT illustrates how to probe into an idea and layout material in a few minutes that would have taken years of personal research.

Making healthspan procedures into exciting games.

11 Sunday Feb 2024

Posted by probaway in AI, Aspirations, psychology, research, reviews, survival

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

exercise, fitness, Health, mental-health, wellness

Options Opportunities

What are the options we, as individuals, have for making our present world a better place for all of us to thrive? Because I am just a person living in a remote town in the high desert of central Oregon, I don’t have the same options as someone living in Manhattan or Washington DC. In those cities, you might get a few people to carry signs and get local or national coverage. In that way, even a small group can get some attention if they have a cause. The Suffragettes of the last century started as a few people and, with persistence, gained the right to vote for women. I suspect that the same women, having done the same things here in my town, would have made no progress. With that thought in mind, I pondered for a moment something that is happening now that, if it had a beautiful presentation, could capture everyone’s attention.

There is a tremendous amount of internet talk about life extension, and there is generally the same list of ideas we should apply to maximize our health span. At the same time, science is being developed to make something we can purchase that will make us healthier. David Sinclair is the foremost scientist in this movement and is on the right track to add a few years to our health span with the products he has researched. But he still recommends beginning with the usual list.

I ask ChatGPT-4

List the standard suggestions for creating a healthy life.


Creating a healthy life involves a combination of habits and choices that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are some standard suggestions for fostering a healthier lifestyle:

  1. Balanced Diet: Eat a variety of foods to get the nutrients your body needs. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limiting processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats is also essential.
  2. Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening exercises on two or more days a week.
  3. Adequate Sleep: Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Good sleep hygiene can improve your mood, cognitive function, and overall health.
  4. Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining bodily functions, including digestion and temperature regulation.
  5. Stress Management: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as through meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or hobbies that you enjoy.
  6. Social Connections: Maintain relationships with friends and family. Social interactions can improve your mood and mental health.
  7. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking have numerous negative health effects. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Avoid smoking and tobacco use altogether.
  8. Regular Check-ups: Regular visits to healthcare providers for check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings can prevent diseases or detect them early when they are more manageable.
  9. Mental Health: Pay attention to your mental health. Seek professional help if you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
  10. Safe Behaviors: Practice safe behaviors such as wearing seatbelts, using sunscreen, and following guidelines to prevent injuries.
  11. Time Management: Manage your time effectively to balance work, leisure, and rest. Avoid overcommitting and learn to say no when necessary.
  12. Personal Hygiene: Maintain good personal hygiene practices like regular handwashing, dental care, and bathing to prevent infections and diseases.

Creating a healthy lifestyle is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s about making informed choices and changes that fit your life and can be maintained over the long term.


That is the standard recipe being promoted, with various degrees of pomp and blowing, and many people are making those suggestions. However, it needs more precise statements as to what one should do and how one should do it. The individuals often supply those, but something needs to catch on. I put what we need into the title of this post.

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