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- GPT-4o: Just as neotoddlers act impulsively, the use of AI can be driven by an immature approach—adopting technology for its novelty without fully understanding or preparing for its consequences.
GPT-4o: Just as neotoddlers act impulsively, the use of AI can be driven by an immature approach—adopting technology for its novelty without fully understanding or preparing for its consequences.
In both cases, the emphasis on attention and immediacy over careful planning and thoughtful action can lead to negative outcomes, whether in social movements or technological advancements.
Pascal Hetzscholdt
August 12, 2024
Asking ChatGPT-4o and Claude: Please read the post “The Rise of Neotoddlerism” and tell me what it says in easy to understand language and whether there are any similarities to how AI is being developed, marketed, perceived and used.
ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Summary of "The Rise of Neotoddlerism"
"The Rise of Neotoddlerism" by Gurwinder discusses the phenomenon of increasingly disruptive and irrational protests in Western societies. The author argues that these protests, often characterized by vandalism and public nuisance, are not driven by coherent ideologies but by an immature mindset that he terms "neotoddlerism." This mindset is marked by impulsivity, attention-seeking behavior, and a lack of long-term thinking, resembling the behavior of toddlers.
Gurwinder traces the roots of neotoddlerism to the digital revolution, particularly the rise of social media, which has amplified dramatic, attention-grabbing behaviors. Activists, both on the left and right, engage in shocking actions not because they are effective, but because they garner immediate attention. This approach is compared to a toddler throwing a tantrum to get what they want, without considering the consequences.
The author also highlights how these protests often alienate the general public, who might agree with the underlying causes but are repelled by the methods. Neotoddlers, according to Gurwinder, are more focused on instant gratification and making a scene than on developing practical solutions to the problems they protest against.
The essay concludes by suggesting that the spread of neotoddlerism is fueled by the media and public's attention. The author argues that the solution lies in ignoring these outbursts and instead focusing on those who are quietly working towards real solutions.
Similarities to AI Development, Marketing, Perception, and Use
There are indeed some parallels between the concept of neotoddlerism and the development, marketing, perception, and use of AI:
Attention-Grabbing Marketing: Just as neotoddlers engage in outrageous behavior to grab attention, AI is often marketed in a way that emphasizes its most dramatic capabilities, sometimes at the expense of a nuanced understanding. This can lead to exaggerated expectations or fears, much like the simplistic and emotional reactions that neotoddlers provoke.
Short-Term Focus: Neotoddlers are criticized for their focus on immediate gratification rather than long-term solutions. Similarly, AI development and deployment can sometimes prioritize short-term gains (like efficiency or profit) without fully considering long-term ethical implications, societal impacts, or unintended consequences.
Public Perception and Hype: The public’s perception of AI is often shaped by sensationalist media coverage, similar to how neotoddler protests gain attention. This can lead to a skewed understanding of AI's capabilities and risks, where the most extreme outcomes (both positive and negative) dominate the discourse.
Immature Use: Just as neotoddlers act impulsively, the use of AI can sometimes be driven by an immature approach—adopting technology for its novelty without fully understanding or preparing for its consequences. This can result in misapplications of AI or overreliance on it in areas where human judgment is still crucial.
In both cases, the emphasis on attention and immediacy over careful planning and thoughtful action can lead to negative outcomes, whether in social movements or technological advancements. The article suggests that a more mature, considered approach—both in activism and in AI development—would lead to better, more sustainable results.
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Claude’s answer:
The article "The Rise of Neotoddlerism" discusses a trend of increasingly disruptive and attention-seeking protest behaviors, which the author calls "neotoddlerism." Here's a summary in simpler terms:
There's been a rise in dramatic, disruptive protests across Western countries.
The author calls this trend "neotoddlerism" - activists behaving like toddlers to get attention.
This behavior is encouraged by social media, which rewards dramatic content.
Neotoddlers think they can achieve their goals by being loud and causing disruption, rather than through patient work and negotiation.
These protests often backfire, alienating the public rather than gaining support.
The author argues that many protesters, especially left-wing ones, are often privileged people seeking meaning or attention.
The media and public tend to give more attention to outrageous behaviors, which encourages more of the same.
The author suggests ignoring these attention-seeking behaviors and focusing on people making real, practical progress instead.
Regarding similarities to AI development and use:
Short-term thinking: Both neotoddlers and some AI developers focus on immediate results or attention rather than long-term consequences.
Attention-seeking: Like neotoddlers, some AI companies use dramatic demonstrations or claims to get media attention.
Privileged actors: Many AI developers, like the left-wing protesters described, come from privileged backgrounds.
Media amplification: Both benefit from media coverage that amplifies dramatic or controversial aspects.
Potential for disruption: Both neotoddlerism and AI have the potential to cause significant societal disruption.
Need for mature approach: The article's call for a more mature, thoughtful approach could also apply to AI development and deployment.
Balancing progress and caution: Both fields struggle with balancing the desire for rapid progress with the need for careful consideration of consequences.
These parallels suggest that some of the issues surrounding AI development and use might benefit from the same kind of mature, measured approach that the author recommends for addressing neotoddlerism.
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