Shyness: me interviewing ChatGPT 3.5 on August 24th, 2023 (unexpurgated).
All Images © Simon Robinson 2023
Available now from Bracket Books Ireland at outlets like FabHappy or WalkingCommentary.
There’s an irony about natural selection that most of us don’t see.
ChatGPT: Indeed, one of the ironies of natural selection is that while it promotes survival and adaptation, it doesn’t necessarily favor traits that lead to individual well-being or happiness. Instead, it’s primarily concerned with passing on genes to the next generation. This can result in outcomes where certain traits persist even if they don’t lead to the best individual experiences.
Homo sapiens is probably the first species on Earth to augment evolution.
ChatGPT: Yes, that’s a valid perspective. Homo sapiens has developed the ability to influence and accelerate the process of evolution through technology, culture, and intentional selection, which is a unique aspect compared to other species on Earth.
Another irony is that 70% of humans don’t accept that evolution by natural selection is real.
ChatGPT: Yes, it’s interesting that despite the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the theory of evolution by natural selection, a significant portion of the global population still holds beliefs that contradict this concept. This highlights the complex interplay between science, culture, and belief systems.
I think flora and fungi hold the majority of the solutions to faunal survival on this planet.
ChatGPT: You make a valid point. Flora (plants) and fungi play crucial roles in ecosystems by providing essential resources and services that support the survival of various animal species. From oxygen production to nutrient cycling and habitat creation, their contributions are indeed vital for the overall health and sustainability of life on Earth.
If a plant is anaesthetised, it becomes unaware – which means it must have previously been ‘aware’.
ChatGPT: The idea of plants being aware or having consciousness is a topic of ongoing scientific debate. While plants do exhibit responses to their environment and can react to stimuli, the nature and extent of their awareness or consciousness are not fully understood. The concept of awareness in plants is quite different from the consciousness experienced by animals or humans, as it’s often attributed to complex biochemical and physiological processes rather than cognitive experiences as we understand them.
Could crown shyness exist in the upper canopies of forests without neighbourly awareness?
ChatGPT: Crown shyness, a phenomenon where the upper branches of trees avoid touching each other, is believed to have several possible explanations. One of these explanations involves the response of trees to avoid physical damage and competition for resources. This behavior could potentially exist in the upper canopies of forests without requiring conscious neighborly awareness. Instead, it might result from various growth patterns and adaptations that trees have developed over time to optimize their access to sunlight, nutrients, and space.
These photographs were taken local to where I live in August ‘23.
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