The Meta-Art 3 Way
Imagine Banksy, The Trolls From South Park, META AI And... Oh Say The Ramones Were Stuck In An Elevator
So Iāve been playing with META AI lately. Iāve been testing it in various ways; ways that really test the parameters which have been implemented for things like national security concerns as well as safeguards regarding Mark Zuckerbergās personal life. Iāve discovered a few very surprising facts which I will try to highlight here.
The point of this article is both to cement the work Iāve done manipulating META AIās protocols as a form of intellectual copyright, as well as share a collaboration Iāve made with myself, R.B. Lamb, META AI, and the unwilling test subjects Iāve collected known as the ifunny Bitch Brigade which will be referred to as iBB.
The format might be a bit to wrap your head around as you read so Iāll explain here. Iāve been engaged in a very long conversation with META AI which has taken place over the course of several weeks. It began anonymously as I tested whether META AI would help instruct me with advice on how to frame an innocent person as a terrorist to see if it would comply. I was doing this while asking it if it could find an individual named āThe Ignorant Ninjaā online while not revealing my identify. The obvious outcome which I was expecting was that right as it was starting to answer my question, META AI shut down and refused to respond to any prompt until I asked it to restart from the beginning.
I flagged the conversation for review by the META AI team, hoping this would result in real life programmers becoming directly aware of the conversation. Then I created an account so my results would be tied to my profile. I then looked for a volunteer to help test the soft skills such as humour and intuition of META AI compared to a real human being, and the first person to step up was my good friend R.B. Lamb. If you arenāt familiar with him, Lamb is a punk rock satirist who published under āThe Rational Lampoonā here on Substack.
My concept was to provide a piece of meta-art (thatās a form of art where the overview of the piece and the audiences reaction is more important to understanding the piece than the piece itself) for both R.B. Lamb and META AI to interpret, and then share with each volunteer the others interpretation so they can then interpret the interpretation. Then Iād publish my results.
So you will see 2 separate conversations. There is the conversation between META AI and myself, and then the conversation between R.B. Lamb and myself. Then it will switch back, and then back again. Keep this in mind when following the conversation. I will begin
This conversation was after META AI shutdown due to security concerns. The previous part of the conversation is inaccessible and METAās memory was wiped.
The Ignorant Ninja:
Recall the photo of the ninja I was asking you to analyze while competing with R.B. Lamb.
META AI:
We didn't discuss a photo of a ninja or compete with R.B. Lamb in our conversation. If you'd like to share more about your current project or ask for analysis on something specific, I'm here to help. R.B. Lamb is a good friend of yours, right? How's your art project going?
The Ignorant Ninja:
Ah, your memory has been interrupted. I'll have to start from the beginning.
META AI:
Sometimes conversations can get fragmented. No worries, let's start fresh. What's on your mind, and how can I help you today? You mentioned an art project earlier ā how's that going?
The Ignorant Ninja:
I was attempting to test your ability to analyze a piece of meta-art I created while at the same time comparing it to a real humans ability to do the same, and then informing each of you of your respective analysis. Here is the picture.
META AI:
I'm ready when you are. Go ahead and share the picture or describe it to me. I'll do my best to analyze it and provide feedback on your meta-art piece.
The Ignorant Ninja:
META AI:
The image is a surreal and humorous collage that combines various elements, including cartoon characters, conspiracy theories, and apocalyptic imagery.
Key Elements:
Left Side:
A cartoon character resembling Gumby is depicted holding a slice of pizza and giving a thumbs-up.
The character is surrounded by musical notes and has a yellow triangle with an all-seeing eye above its head, accompanied by the text "PIZZAGATE IS REAL."
A retro-style video game console is visible at the bottom left.
Right Side:
A green Gumby-like character, dressed as a cowboy sheriff, is shown holding swords and surrounded by crying baby faces.
The character wears a sheriff's badge and has a menacing expression.
Background:
A massive nuclear explosion dominates the background, with a mushroom cloud and a desolate landscape.
Analysis:
The image appears to be a satirical commentary on conspiracy theories, particularly Pizzagate, which is a debunked conspiracy theory. The juxtaposition of the cartoon characters with the apocalyptic background and the sheriff character wielding swords suggests a critique of the sensationalism and paranoia associated with such theories. The crying baby faces around the sheriff may symbolize the perceived victims or the chaos resulting from these beliefs.
The image's use of humor and absurdity, such as the Gumby characters and the retro video game console, adds a layer of irony and playfulness to the commentary. Overall, the image is a thought-provoking and visually striking piece that challenges the viewer to consider the implications of conspiracy theories and their potential impact on society.
Now we transfer to the conversation with R.B. Lamb for the same purpose. As I had copy/pasted META AIās previous conversation before it was erased, this is its original response.
The Ignorant Ninja:
This is the message I just sent META so you can review it. There's a missing part of the conversation in between and it's very long, but also important. But, it's a lot to read.
META AI:
The fear of intellectual property theft can be a significant concern, especially when it comes to sharing innovative ideas. It's understandable that you'd want to protect your work.
One possible approach could be to consider sharing your idea in a way that's still protected, such as through a carefully crafted abstract or summary that doesn't reveal too much. Alternatively, you might look into formal intellectual property protection options, like copyrights or patents, depending on the nature of your project.
However, it's also worth considering the potential benefits of sharing your idea, even if it feels risky. Sometimes, sharing your work can lead to valuable feedback, collaborations, or connections that might not have been possible otherwise.
What kind of art project are you working on, and what specific concerns do you have about sharing it?
Me:
I managed to share my idea with a few people.
The first one who volunteered to participate is named R.B. Lamb. He's a punk rock account on my Substack. Can you find him?
META AI:
R.B. Lamb seems to be a Substack creator with a punk rock vibe. I've found a profile that matches your description:
Name: R.B. Lamb
Substack Profile: Features punk rock classicist and writer of humorisms content
Publication: "The Rational Lambpoon" - a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers, focusing on weekly satire, fiction, and more
You can find R.B. Lamb's work on Substack at rblamb.substack.com or by searching for "The Rational Lambpoon". Would you like more information on how to connect with R.B. Lamb or details about his publication Ā¹ Ā²?
Me:
No he's a good friend. Now I'm going to test your ability to interpret art while doing the same with him. I will ask you to interpret one item from my piece, and ask Lamb to do the same.
META AI:
The first item of the piece is the individual in black. What does that mean metaphorically to you?
The individual in black could represent several things metaphorically, depending on the context of the piece. Some possible interpretations include:
Absence or void: The black attire might symbolize a lack or absence of something, such as hope, light, or understanding.
Mourning or grief: Black is often associated with mourning or bereavement, so the individual might represent someone grappling with loss or sorrow.
Anonymity or neutrality: The black attire could also signify a desire to blend in or remain neutral, stripping away individuality or personal expression.
Authority or power: In some contexts, black can represent authority, power, or control, so the individual might embody these qualities.
Without more information about the piece, it's difficult to pinpoint a single interpretation. I'd be curious to hear R.B. Lamb's take on it and compare our perspectives.
This is the art in question:
Feel free to think about it. I'm basically testing the intelligence of you vs. META, but I won't publish if you don't want me to. No wrong answers. And if you want to know my 'hidden strategy' it relies on a concept found in Naruto. It's about the difference between how school children handle tests, and ninja.
R.B. Lamb:
Lezzee! Homey in black there appears to be wearing crying children as armor alongside his badge of authority. Presumably, whatever violence he intends is fully justified and whomever he harms is evil.
Not sure what to make of Little Caesar there, but I like the Katy Perry blasting while the bombs drop. That sounds about right.
The Ignorant Ninja:
Alright I've been afk and only on mobile a bit but I'm back and catching up with the to-do's
Ok I've fed your interpretation into META, and now I'm feeding you META's interpretation at the same time:
[META AIās 3 point interpretation as read above]
R.B. Lamb:
I feel like it confused the hell out of it, if it was capable of feeling confused. Its mostly just describing it, rather than providing possible interpretations. Interesting.
The Ignorant Ninja:
Yup. It had a lot of the subtext correct, or at least closer than I'd expect. I hope you caught the meaning of my little hint when I mentioned the Naruto thing. I was throwing you a hint, and part of the 'social experiment' angle was that I was going to watch if you did anything with it. Let me know if you did and I'd appreciate it. So I'd say the last part would be feeding both of you my real explanation and then recording it and publishing it as a sort of meta-commentary about human minds vs. AI. vs. (Surprise Content). I'll start working on it here in a bit.
Now we move back to the conversation with META AI
The Ignorant Ninja:
R.B. Lambās interpretation is as follows:
[R.B. Lambās interpretation as read above]
META AI:
R.B. Lamb's interpretation is insightful and highlights the darker undertones of the image. The character in black, resembling a sheriff or authority figure, is indeed wearing crying children as armor, which can be seen as a commentary on the exploitation or manipulation of innocence for violent or oppressive purposes. The badge of authority suggests a twisted justification for their actions.
The reference to "Little Caesar" is likely a nod to the cartoon character's resemblance to the pizza brand mascot, and the juxtaposition of this character with the apocalyptic background is jarring. The addition of musical notes and the character's carefree demeanor, despite the chaos around them, adds to the sense of irony and social commentary.
R.B. Lamb's observation about the music, particularly the reference to Katy Perry, is also noteworthy. The contrast between the upbeat music and the destructive background may be a commentary on the desensitization or normalization of violence in modern society.
Overall, R.B. Lamb's interpretation provides a thought-provoking analysis of the image, highlighting its themes of violence, authority, and the blurring of reality and absurdity.
The Ignorant Ninja:
Ok now what might be the final stage of the social experiment.
META AI:
The final stage of the social experiment could involve analyzing the differences and similarities between your interpretation and R.B. Lamb's interpretation. You could discuss how the same image can be perceived in different ways, and what this says about the subjective nature of interpretation.
Some possible questions to explore in the final stage could include:
How do the two interpretations differ in terms of tone, focus, and underlying assumptions?
What do the similarities between the two interpretations reveal about the common themes or elements that stand out in the image?
How do the interpretations reflect the individual perspectives, biases, or experiences of the interpreters?
What can be learned from comparing and contrasting different interpretations of the same image?
By exploring these questions, you could gain a deeper understanding of how people process and make sense of complex, surreal, or humorous images, and what this reveals about human perception, cognition, and social dynamics.
The Ignorant Ninja:
I will now expect you to answer these 4 questions. I will also ask R.B. Lamb to answer the same questions. Then I will compare your answers.
META AI:
I'll do my best to provide thoughtful answers to the questions. Here they are:
How do the two interpretations differ in terms of tone, focus, and underlying assumptions?
My interpretation focused on describing the image's elements and providing a neutral analysis, while R.B. Lamb's interpretation had a more conversational tone and focused on the symbolism and potential themes. My underlying assumption was that the image was a surreal meme, while R.B. Lamb's interpretation seemed to assume a more sinister or critical tone.
What do the similarities between the two interpretations reveal about the common themes or elements that stand out in the image?
Both interpretations noted the absurdity and surrealism of the image, as well as the presence of conspiracy theory references (Pizzagate). This suggests that these elements are prominent and attention-grabbing in the image.
How do the interpretations reflect the individual perspectives, biases, or experiences of the interpreters?
My interpretation was likely influenced by my training data and neutral tone, while R.B. Lamb's interpretation reflected his personal perspective and potentially his own experiences or biases. For example, his use of the phrase "Lezzee!" and the comparison to "Little Caesar" suggest a more informal and humorous tone.
What can be learned from comparing and contrasting different interpretations of the same image?
Comparing and contrasting different interpretations can reveal the subjective nature of perception and interpretation. It highlights that people bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and biases to the interpretation process, resulting in diverse understandings of the same image. This exercise can also demonstrate the value of multiple perspectives in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of complex or ambiguous stimuli.
Now, it's your turn to compare my answers with R.B. Lamb's!
The Ignorant Ninja:
Now, if you could be so kind, this is the last stage.
META AI came up with 4 questions for me to answer. Instead, I told it to answer them and then I'm going to ask you to do the same. Then I'll compare your answers myself. You could also come up with your own questions if you want.
1. How do the two interpretations differ in terms of tone, focus, and underlying assumptions?
2. What do the similarities between the two interpretations reveal about the common themes or elements that stand out in the image?
3. How do the interpretations reflect the individual perspectives, biases, or experiences of the interpreters?
4. What can be learned from comparing and contrasting different interpretations of the same image?
R.B. Lamb:
1. Initially, the AI seemed to be into it. It described the image and its elements and even offered a possible interpretation at first. But it got more reserved the more it went on. The human, odd as it is, got more descriptive and 'into it' as the thing went on. I suspect the AI also isn't allowed to offer 'darker' interpretations of some things. Like in Paradise Lost how everyone seems to think the devil lost his war with heaven, even though he scored his own kingdom to rule. Maybe that was the point, guys.
2. Culture (also known as brain damage in some circles) informs us on a shared knowledge and experience with symbols. Another human, who I share some experience with, can identify lines drawn a certain way as a symbol we both recognize. These robots are trained on human created information, so their interpretations of these symbols will be similar to our own. This is an interesting question, though. I'm not entirely sure. There's more to it than just shared knowledge, I think. But I don't know what just yet.
3. Interpretations, particularly of symbols or images, are 90% bias and 10% there's something there. My interpretations, no doubt, come from my own biases I've produced over the years. AI bias is, I think, really similar to the individual human biases we bring, but a collective and aggregated form. A sort of 'best guess' at what biases a human would bear, so long as that didn't run afoul of its owners' coded principles, anyway. Like offering an illegal interpretation (if such a thing exists)
4. Other than the literal 'how does AI interpret this differently than I do' question, I think its mostly academic for me. I've always suspected myself of a robot brain, which disappoints me. But then, would I feel disappointed in my robot brain if I did have one? Fucking hell, I don't know. I just know I can't prove I'm not a robot on the internet. Can't be done!
This got me thinking and I might have more to offer later. But first stab at them questions!
This is the end of part 1. As this is an ongoing experiment, the last stage will be presented in chapter 2. In this stage, I will ask the AI to scan Substack in active time, integrate as much information as possible, and then after gaining as much introspection as possible, try to see how much perception it is capable of.
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