John Henry

I recently tried out the new free AI chatbot, Chat GPT.  When I began the task, I thought that the content would be Stepfordian.  I believe that I was wrong.

Text in italics is all computer generated, with no editing by me. Prompts are in bold.

Chat GPT – Write a paragraph about managing mobile home parks.

Mobile home park management involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of a mobile home park community, including maintaining the physical property, enforcing park rules and regulations, collecting rent and fees, and addressing resident concerns. It also includes managing the park’s finances, budgeting for repairs and maintenance, and coordinating with outside vendors for services such as trash removal and security. Additionally, mobile home park managers may be responsible for marketing the park to potential residents and ensuring that the park is in compliance with local and state laws.

Chat GPT – Write a paragraph about herding cats

The phrase “herding cats” is often used as an idiomatic expression to describe a task or situation that is difficult to control or coordinate. It suggests that trying to organize or manage a group of people or things that are unpredictable or uncooperative is like trying to herd a group of cats – a notoriously difficult task. The phrase is often used to describe the challenges of managing a group of people who are independent, unorganized, or difficult to manage. It can also be used to describe the challenges of organizing or coordinating a project or event that has many different components or stakeholders.

Chat GPT – Write a paragraph about mobile home park management and herding cats

Managing a mobile home park can at times feel like herding cats, as there may be many different residents with different needs and opinions, and they may not always be easy to coordinate or manage. Mobile home park management requires the ability to balance the needs and wants of residents with the overall operation and financial health of the park. It can be challenging to enforce rules and regulations, especially if residents are uncooperative or resistant to change. Additionally, managing the physical property and coordinating with outside vendors can also be unpredictable and difficult. In summary, mobile home park management, like herding cats, can be a challenging task that requires a balance of firmness and flexibility, as well as the ability to adapt to different and changing situations.

Chat GPT – Write a paragraph abut John Henry

John Henry is a folk hero and legendary figure in American folklore, depicting a “steel-driving man” who competed against a steam-powered hammer in a race to build a railway tunnel through a mountain and won but died in the process. The story of John Henry is said to have originated among African American railroad workers, and the earliest known reference to the story dates to 1887. The story is popular in American folklore and has been the subject of songs, stories, plays, and novels.

Chat GPT – Write a paragraph or two about John Henry and knowledge work

John Henry is often used as a metaphor for human effort versus machine automation in the context of work, particularly manual labor and knowledge work. The story of John Henry pits a human worker, John Henry, against a steam-powered hammer in a contest to see who could drill more holes into a mountain. Despite the machine’s technological advantage, John Henry wins the contest but dies from exhaustion. This story is often used to illustrate the idea that humans can outperform machines in certain tasks, and that there is value in human effort and skill even in the face of automation.

In the context of knowledge work, it can refer to the idea that certain tasks or processes that are done by humans and can’t be replicated by machines, such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. While machines can assist in these tasks, they can’t replace the value that a human brings to the table.

I agree with all of that except for the statement that humans are better than computers at certain higher-order tasks. I think they are better than us at everything. The only reason why the copy doesn’t say that is because modesty is baked into the algorithm. John Henry beat the steam engine once, but he died trying.  The steam engine survived, and dug many more tunnels before it rested in the scrap heap.  We knowledge workers will soon be obsolete.