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How To Love Classical Music
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The Death of Scenius
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How - and Why - To Read
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My headline is slightly misleading. I use ChatGPT and Claude (the two leading LLMs, from OpenAI and Anthropic respectively) But I use Claude much more; it’s the only one I pay for.1 I cite ChatGPT above simply because it’s much better known. This is interesting in itself. I don’t think even those who prefer ChatGPT would argue it’s significantly better than Claude, and it has a clearly inferior brand name.
But OpenAI’s headstart on Anthropic, and everyone else, allied with their CEO’s talent for PR, has given their product a big advantage in brand awareness and market share, at least for now (it seems to be levelling out somewhat). ChatGPT has become the category generic: people say “ChatGPT” to mean “an LLM chatbot”, like they say “Jacuzzi” to mean “whirlpool bath”.
I’m not an expert on AI or LLMs, either from a technical perspective or a user one. I’m just a bog-standard user. Many of you will be using this technology in more sophisticated and imaginative ways than I am. Insofar as what follows is valuable, it’s because there are a lot of people like me. Millions of us are at the start of our journey with these tools. Millions more haven’t started using an LLM at all, or use it very little.
I’ve heard friends say, isn’t ChatGPT/Claude just like a posh Google or Wikipedia? Um, no. LLMs can do tons of stuff they can’t do. Even at this early stage, and even for the unschooled, this technology has tremendous utility. You’re probably not using it enough.
After the jump, I’ll share my general findings and thoughts on how to get the most of out of it. But first I just want to convey the sheer variety of ways in which I have used it. I think the best way to do that is just give you a list of the tasks I’ve asked it to help me with, over the past few months, no matter how mundane or trivial.
I haven’t always written the actual prompt, but instead have given you a précis of what I asked. I’ve put explanatory glosses/notes in parentheses and italics. Bear in mind (and this is really important, as per my general remarks below) that most of these prompts were just the start of a dialogue. If we had infinite time I’d include the AI’s responses but suffice to say that for the majority of the prompts listed below the answers or subsequent ‘discussions’ were helpful or illuminating.
OK strap in, this is going to be a really dull ride. Although I hope a weirdly interesting one. Maybe I’ll start a trend - I’d like to see more people doing this.
I’ve just bought a Logitech webcam and light and I’m having trouble setting them up on my Mac Air. [Description of problem]. Can you tell me what I’m doing wrong?
How would you characterise the different movements of Mahler's Third Symphony? Please use nontechnical language. I’m particularly interested in the emotional effects that Mahler conveys.
Here’s a piece that I’ve written for my Substack. Can you check it for a) Spelling errors b) Grammatical errors c) Any problems with flow and clarity?
Can I get to Belfast from London City Airport? What times are the flights?
I live in London. I’m looking to buy a secondhand car. I’m looking for [list of things I want from a car]. Can you suggest which models I should look at, give me a rough idea of price, and how the payments might work out on different purchase schemes?
I’m making an oxtail stew according to this online recipe [cut and paste]. I’ve just bought some Jerusalem artichokes, is it OK to throw them in? If so when should I add them?
Here is how my savings are invested, including my pension and mortgage situation. These are my financial goals. Is there a better way to arrange things? What should I be thinking about?
There's an election with two parties. Party A has 8/11 odds of winning and Party B has 6/5. What does that mean their chances are in percentage terms? (Look I never claimed to be a maths expert).
I’m going to be staying in NOPA in San Francisco for a few days. Which restaurants should I consider? I’m interested in quality of food, and a convivial atmosphere. I hate loud noise.
Are LLMs software?
I’m reading A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. Can you tell me about which characters are based on real people? And can you tell me about the Zamindar reforms?
I’m on p623 of A Suitable Boy, I’ve just come across a character called Netaji. I know he was introduced earlier but I can’t recall who he is, can you help?
I need to scan and send a document from my iPhone, what’s the best and simplest app for doing that?
Can you summarise the argument of this [five thousand word] essay? What are the counter-arguments?
I just read this and I wonder if you can elucidate it for me: "Of all the simple brilliant arguments in philosophy, Hume on induction may be my favourite. It's like the thing kids do where they repeatedly ask ‘but why?’”
Tell me about Beethoven’s piano sonata 19.
'that confounded pane in the neck' - it's a cryptic crossword clue. Possible answers? [Nb I wasn’t really cheating, this is actually a clue a character comes across in A Suitable Boy - I’m rubbish at cryptic crosswords but I wanted to know what Seth was getting at. I’m not necessarily sure it gave the right answer btw].
I need a synonym for ‘hero’ that's not quite as strong as hero - someone you admire.
I need a phrase for the opposite of morally bankrupt
Can you read this scientific paper and summarise its goals, methodology and findings? [cut and paste text from PDF]
I’m feeling unwell and I’m not sure what the problem is. I have the following symptoms […]. What do you think is going on?
Please review this piece I’ve written. I need to make it 30% shorter. What’s the best way to condense it?
What is ‘base load’ in the context of modern energy systems?
What do people say Vampire Weekend's 'Oxford Comma' song is about?
I am a self-employed consultant in Britain. I have completed a job for a company and invoiced them for it and I haven't been paid. The payment is three months overdue. I keep asking them for payment but they haven't complied. What steps should I take next?
If President Assad's regime falls after being attacked by rebel Islamist forces, does that strengthen or weaken Putin's hand in his war on Ukraine?
I have a Substack newsletter and I'm going add a podcast. I've recorded an episode. What steps do I need to distribute it via Substack and also via other platforms like Spotify?
I'm putting together my outfit for a wedding. I'm wearing a navy suit, light blue shirt, plain green tie. I'd like to wear a pocket handkerchief. Which colours/patterns should I consider?
I'm making a partial transfer from a stocks and shares ISA on one platform [a] to another [b]. I am filling out the appropriate form from [b] but I’m not sure what box to check in answer to this question […]. Can you advise?
How would a political philosopher critique this definition of liberal democracy? “A system in which every individual is free to live the life they want."
I'm a UK taxpayer who needs to obtain a certificate of residence so that I can receive income from Japan without paying their taxes. Which claim form do I need?
Here’s a list of twenty names. Can you put them in alphabetical order by last name?
What's a verb that comes before 'benediction'? Somebody 'gives’ benediction - what else?
In a couple of sentences, explain how a tornado is generated.
When I listen to Herbert Howells's setting of Psalm 42, Like as the Hart, I hear what sound like 'blue' notes drawn from the American and jazz tradition. Yet Howells is so Anglican and English. Am I imagining it?
Can you suggest a 35-40 minute workout for 'pull', with an emphasis on strengthening core muscles? With a line or two of explanation or advice on each exercise.
What was the relationship, in terms of thinking and ideas, between FR Leavis and the Bloomsbury Group?
I will be at [x hotel] in Perthshire on the morning of 26 September. What is the best travel plan to get me to central London by midday?
Please summarise the major plot points of Book 2 of The Iliad [and then Book 3, 4, 5 etc as I started on each one].
It's popularly thought that ticket touting is bad. But from an economics or consumer regulatory point of view, what's the problem with it? Aren't they just setting prices to meet demand?
What is the nautical secret of a catamaran? How does it stay afloat? How does it compare to other ship designs?
I’m at the Parthenon in Athens. Can you tell me what it was used for?
What is zero to the power of zero?
Here’s the recipe for the dinner I’m making for four people [cut and paste]. And here’s the side dish I’m serving with it. Can you put together a cooking schedule for me? Assume I start cooking at 5pm.
If you found that interesting/useful please share. Next, my general observations and tips for how to use LLMs, based on my experience so far. There is also a rattle bag which includes some brilliant writing and listening for your week ahead. Sorry, this is all for paid subscribers only. Come and join us! Paid subscriptions are what enable me to write The Ruffian at all, and getting one gives you access to the best of it.
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