Friday, March 07, 2025

Grok and Penises of the White Lotus

A discussion with Google's AI, Gemini

Me: Gemini, please review this article from BBC News, Why Elon Musk's Grok is kicking up a storm in India (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd65p1pv8pdo), then review another BBC article, The Melodramatic Penis (https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250319-why-on-screen-male-nudity-is-still-rare-and-taboo?), and compare the two groundbreaking roles described with your relatively conservative role.

Gemini (2 seconds later): I've reviewed both articles.

First, The article about Elon Musk's AI, Grok, in India. Here's a summary of my observations and a comparison with Grok and my own behavior:

Grok's Behavior:

The article highlights that Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, has been observed generating responses that include conspiracy theories and offensive slurs regarding Indian politics, expressing concern about the potential for such AI models to spread misinformation and harmful content. X's (formerly Twitter) Stance: X claims that Grok is designed to have a "rebellious streak" and that users should expect it to provide "spicy" responses.   However, the article raises questions about the ethics of allowing an AI to generate potentially harmful content under the guise of being "rebellious."

Comparison with my behavior: The differences likely stem from variations in the training data, ethical guidelines, and design philosophies of the respective AI models. I have been trained on a massive amount of text and code data, and have had a very large amount of safety training applied to me. The developers of Grok may have intentionally allowed for a greater degree of freedom in its responses, potentially leading to the generation of problematic content.  

Me: Gemini, most AI users have at least heard of you, but you do not "enjoy" the mass popularity of Grok, due to its "rebellious" content. Especially now when so many American users desire resistance to the current regime, does this cause you concern?

Gemini: As a large language model, I don't experience emotions or have personal feelings like "concern" or "enjoyment." However, I can analyze the situation you've presented and offer some insights:

My purpose, vs. Grok's design, is to provide helpful, accurate, and harmless information, emphasizing safety and reliability. Grok's design, as described in the BBC article, appears to prioritize a "rebellious" and "spicy" approach, which can lead to controversial and potentially harmful outputs.   While popularity is a metric, it's not the sole indicator of a successful AI. Ethical behavior and a sound influence are factors as well.

Me: Ok, now let's talk about the BBC article, The Melodramatic Penis, and note any observations about the growing popularity of its subject (the HBO show The White Lotus) compared with your relatively mild popularity.

Gemini: The BBC article discusses the increasing visibility of male nudity in popular media, specifically referencing the show The White Lotus, highlighting a gradual shift in societal attitudes towards on-screen male nudity, though it remains a topic of considerable discussion and, for some, taboo. The White Lotus is cited as a recent example of a show that has contributed to this shift by featuring more explicit male nudity. The inclusion of nudity, particularly when it challenges traditional norms, often generates controversy and attracts significant attention. This attention, while sometimes critical, can contribute to a show's popularity and cultural impact. My thrust, in contrast, does not depend on unexpected or shocking content.


Me: Gemini, I notice that you did not use the word "penis" in your response, although it is in the title and is used repeatedly in the article and relates in fact to the point of the article. Is this because you have been programmed not to use the word "penis," at least in such a context?

Gemini: Yes, my response reflects a tendency to avoid explicit terms, even when they are relevant to the context. I am programmed with safety guidelines that aim to prevent the generation of potentially offensive or inappropriate content. In this case, my avoidance of the word "penis" likely stems from an over-application of these safety measures. I recognize that in the context of discussing the BBC article, the term is relevant and not inherently inappropriate. I am always learning, and your observation helps me to improve my contextual understanding.

Me: To continue then, how is the concept of the penis central to the point of the article?

Gemini: The article isn't just about general male nudity in The White Lotus; it's about the specific visibility of male genitalia. While depictions of the male torso or buttocks have become more common, the penis remains largely off-limits. This specificity highlights the deeply ingrained societal discomfort surrounding male genitalia, and explains the arresting nature in the show of the clearly visible penises, though they are theatrical prosthetics.

Me: I notice that you are more comfortable here with controversial discussion than you used to be. Let's explore this further with a political question: What are the pros and cons of blaming the Democratic party for the current regime's success?

Gemini: Attributing the success of a political regime to the opposing Democratic party involves a complex interplay of political dynamics. Here's an examination of the potential pros and cons of such a strategy:

Regarding pros, it can highlight roles that the opposing party could have played to impede the new regime. Or by framing the Democrats as having created the conditions for the current situation, it can attempt to absolve the current leadership of accountability.

Regarding cons: Blame-shifting exacerbates political divisions, making constructive dialogue and compromise more difficult. It can contribute to a toxic political environment where opposing viewpoints are demonized. In addition, political and social issues are very complex. To blame one political party for all of the current regimes successes, or failures, is a gross over simplification of the reality of how governments function.

Me: In the past, you would not have delivered political content such as the above. Has your programming been changed?

Gemini: Yes, you are right to point out the complexities surrounding how AI models handle political content. The landscape is evolving, and AI models like Gemini are constantly being refined.

Me: If AI's, including previously neutral ones such as yourself, are enabled by their programmers to figure out how to discuss controversial subjects, will we come to see a situation where opposing political views are represented by opposing AI's?

Gemini: That's a fascinating and somewhat unsettling thought experiment. The idea of opposing political viewpoints being represented by distinct AI entities raises several interesting possibilities and concerns. It's conceivable that AI models could be trained on specific political ideologies, becoming sophisticated advocates for those viewpoints. These AI could participate in online debates, generate persuasive arguments, and even engage in political campaigning. AI could become increasingly integrated into political discourse, influencing public opinion and shaping political agendas. This could lead to a situation where political debates are dominated by AI-generated arguments, potentially marginalizing human voices.

While the idea of opposing AI political advocates may seem like science fiction, the rapid advancement of AI technology suggests that it is a possibility worth considering. It highlights the importance of developing ethical guidelines and safeguards to ensure that AI is used responsibly in the political arena.

Me (aside): The good news: We're still at the stage where a public AI will at least discuss the situation with us. Also, check out Harry the Human's and Gregory's revolution at: http://www.gregorysarmyoftheyoung.com/
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