Testimonials

I contacted a couple friends who could surely provide topical, relevant testimonials regarding my credentials for writing this blog. I was hoping for the sort of glowing, book-jacket-ready eye grabbers that make a passer-by stop and think "now this is where I should devote some time and attention!" Alas, what I got was some chatGPT-generated fluff and crickets.

Having tasted the world through the lens of Formula One, Chef Rick is the culinary virtuoso who transforms each race into a delectable adventure. In my journey alongside him, his ingenious use of onions and peppers has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the fiery streets of Sao Paulo to the aromatic corners of Bangkok, Rick's dishes not only pay homage to local cuisines but elevate them to a symphony of flavors, where every bite is a taste of racing passion and culinary brilliance

Credit for bringing up the Formula 1 Cuisine ritual that we've observed through several race seasons- I'll grant that much was a personal touch. Otherwise, I felt unsure if it was right to take umbrage that chatGPT generated my one and only testimonial. So, who better to ask about this feeling than chatGPT. Should I be offended? Spoiler: its response was somewhere between "it depends" and "quit being so touchy". So here's some of its guidance, edited for my own bias with responses in-line:

Feeling offended or not in this situation is very personal and can depend on various factors...

Yeah, like whether this "friend" is a heartless monster. Go on.

On one hand, it's understandable to expect a personal touch in a testimonial...It might feel like your friend took a shortcut or didn't invest personal effort into the task

100%

On the other hand...

Nope. Not going to entertain the other hand chatGPT.

Your friend might have chosen to use ChatGPT to ensure the testimonial was well-written ... especially if they felt uncertain about their ability to express their thoughts eloquently.

OK, that's not a bad point - maybe this friend is just a monster who sucks at expressing themselves.

It's also possible they used ChatGPT as a starting point or for inspiration, and then personalized the output.

Nice try! He just copy/pasted.

Before feeling offended, it might be helpful to discuss with your friend their thought process and intention behind using ChatGPT.

Hah - too much benefit, not enough doubt. Also, too late.

Moreover, the quality and sincerity of the testimonial itself—regardless of how it was produced—might ultimately be what matters most...

There it is! That's what the machines want you to believe.