Chatty Man

Will Artificial Intelligence steal your job?

Or even more importantly, to me at least, will it steal mine?

Underground, Overground

My mate John has got a gorgeous flat just a few minutes walk from Wimbledon. He’s putting it on Airbnb for when the tennis tournament is on. 

With the income he’ll get from letting it during the competition he’s taking us all to the moon for an all inclusive holiday. First class seats and complimentary fizz.

I was flicking through the images he’s put up and his pad looks really delightful.

The description of the flat was really lively and characterful too, very well written. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever read such an appealing property description. I told him so.

“Thanks. The write up was assisted by ChatGPT.”

“Interesting. What did you tell it to say?”

“Write an airbnb description for a two bedroom garden flat in Southfields, London near Wimbledon with an open plan kitchen and lounge.”

It was that simple.

Now this is probably the first real life use of ChatGPT I’ve come across. I’ve seen lots of Twitter accounts dedicated to telling you how AI is going to change everything and offering ‘ten ways you can use ChatGPT to make money / write code / marketing’ etc. But from what John showed me I could see an immediate real life case use in action.

Distant Noises, Other Voices

And it got me thinking. I wonder if it could write a Top Tips email in my voice.

How would it learn my voice? What even is my voice? Or style?

I copied the text from last week’s Top Tips email about Ozymandias and pasted it into the ChatGPT prompt. I told it to “Analyse the style of voice in this writing” and a few seconds later this is what it came back with.

“The style of voice in this writing can be characterized as informal and conversational. The author uses a friendly and casual tone throughout the text, addressing the reader as Darryl and using colloquial language and expressions. The writing is filled with personal anecdotes and digressions, creating a sense of storytelling and a relatable tone.

The author employs humor and lightheartedness, evident in the playful use of exclamation marks, the inclusion of jokes and references to popular culture (such as the TV show "Succession" and "Breaking Bad"), and the self-deprecating remarks. The use of short sentences and fragments adds to the conversational flow of the writing.

Additionally, the author's voice is characterized by a mix of personal experiences and observations, providing a sense of authenticity and credibility. The narrative style allows the author to share their perspectives and insights, particularly in the sections where they reflect on lessons learned or offer advice.

Overall, the style of voice in this writing is engaging, informal, and approachable, creating a connection with the reader and making the text relatable and enjoyable to read.”

Welcome To The Machine

My Top Tips are meant to be uplifting, entertaining and useful, and it is very satisfying when readers reply and tell me that they are. But I gotta say ChatGPT has given me my best ever review! 

Artificial intelligence likes me. As long as AI thinks I’m “engaging, informal and approachable” then I’m all for the rise of the machines. Bring on Skynet!

So what’s next? That’s right, I now used ChatGPT’s description of my writing as a prompt. I told it to write an uplifting 1200 word piece about how to think positively when something negative has happened. And then I gave it all the cues it had just observed about my writing style but now they were instructions for how the piece should be written.

So this week’s Top Tips email, word for word, is brought to you by ChatGPT (and the T-800).

*******

Alrighty then, let's talk about how to keep that positive vibe alive when life throws a negative curveball your way. We've all been there, my friend, feeling like the universe just dumped a bucket of sour lemons on our heads. But fear not! I'm here to share some tips and tricks to help you squeeze out some sweet lemonade from those tart lemons.

First things first, when you find yourself knee-deep in a negative situation, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you're not alone in this mess. We've all had our fair share of "oh, crap" moments, like when you accidentally reply all to an email criticizing your boss's taste in shoes. Trust me, it happens to the best of us. So don't beat yourself up about it!

Now, I know it's tempting to wallow in self-pity and binge-watch every season of "Succession" while eating a tub of ice cream the size of Mount Everest. But let me tell you, my friend, that's not gonna get you anywhere except a date with Mr. Regret and his buddy, Mr. Guilt. Instead, try to shift your focus to something positive. Find a funny YouTube video, read a feel-good book, or call up your hilarious friend who always knows how to make you laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine, even if you end up snorting milk out of your nose!

Speaking of friends, surround yourself with the people who lift you up. You know, the ones who are always there with a shoulder to cry on or a terrible pun to make you groan. These are the folks who can turn any gray cloud into a rainbow-filled day. And hey, if you can't find anyone like that, then be that person for yourself! Treat yourself like the fabulous unicorn you are, and don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back when you handle life's curveballs like a boss.

Now, let's talk about reframing. No, I'm not talking about hanging fancy new frames around your negative experiences (although, hey, if that floats your boat, go for it!). I'm talking about changing your perspective on the situation. Take a step back and ask yourself, "Is there a lesson to be learned here?" Sometimes, life is just like a teacher with a twisted sense of humor, throwing pop quizzes at us left and right. But trust me, my friend, even the toughest exams can teach us something valuable. Like that time I accidentally mixed up the sugar and salt while baking cookies. Let's just say, those cookies didn't end up on anyone's list of favorite snacks. But hey, I learned to double-check my ingredients, and now I can bake cookies that won't make your face implode!

Now, I don't want to go all "Breaking Bad" on you, but let's talk about embracing change. Life is like a rollercoaster, my friend, with its ups, downs, twists, and turns. And just like Walter White's transformation from high school chemistry teacher to meth-cooking mastermind, we all go through transformations. Embracing change can be scary, like taking that first step into a haunted house. But it can also be exciting, like finding a $20 bill in your jeans pocket. So grab that fear by the horns and say, "Bring it on, baby!" Because you never know what amazing opportunities might be lurking just around the corner.

Now, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Positivity doesn't mean denying or suppressing your negative emotions. It's not about slapping a smiley face sticker on your forehead and pretending everything is rainbows and unicorns. Trust me, that sticker would probably just slide right off your sweaty forehead anyway. Positivity is about acknowledging those negative feelings, giving them a little nod of recognition, and then choosing to focus on the good stuff. It's like going to a buffet and loading your plate with all the delicious food while ignoring the sad, lonely bowl of soggy peas in the corner. Sorry, peas, but nobody wants you at the party!

And finally, my friend, remember that life is a journey, not a destination. There will be detours, roadblocks, and potholes along the way. But each of those experiences, good or bad, is a stepping stone on your unique path. So take a deep breath, put on your favorite power anthem, and keep on truckin'. You got this!

So, when life throws you those sour lemons, remember, you have the power to turn them into the sweetest lemonade imaginable. Surround yourself with positivity, laugh in the face of adversity, and embrace change like a boss. And hey, even if things don't go exactly as planned, remember that there's always a valuable lesson hidden in the chaos.

Now go out there, my friend, and embrace life's messiness with open arms. And don't forget to share that lemonade with the world. We could all use a little sip of sweetness! Cheers!

******

The Words You Use Should Be Your Own

And that was that! It took less than a minute to come up with those 1200 words! 

What do you think? I mean I’m not sure about “a date with Mr. Regret and his buddy, Mr. Guilt” but I’ll let it pass. 

And obviously it hasn’t got Smiths quotes peppered through, but I reckon if I’d told it to it could probably rattle off a few Morrissey bon mots with no trouble. It’s pretty incredible. Even if you didn't like the tone, the actual advice is very good.

The Future's So Bright

I think this Top Tip is to simply go take a look at ChatGPT. Can you use it for anything you currently do that takes time and is monotonous? Can you save yourself time and effort?

I’m not sure I’ll be handing the reins over completely so you won’t be reading any more deep insights about life being a rollercoaster (!) but I’ve already got a few ideas about where it might well save me time.