Tag: Seneca
Seneca Meets Epicurus
As you know – if you’ve been following this blog – I’ve been testing ChatGPT. I’m not overly impressed yet but it did help me create a cool e-book that I put on Amazon.
Basically I had the AI program write a dialogue between Seneca and Epicurus, two philosophers who never met in real life, in response to my sincere questions.
I thought the results were impressive. They were surprising, in-depth, useful, and seemed authentic.
You can find the e-book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Tranquility-Secret-Dialogues-Epicurus-ebook/dp/B0C41253F8/
Enjoy.
Ao Akua,
Joe
PS – I wrote this blog post, not AI.
ChatGPT Mea Culpa: In-Depth Analysis
Thoughtline was an early “ChatGPT” AI program back in the 1990s.
It was based on the DOS system of the time and came on a disk.
I loved it. 
I wrote about it in my book, Hypnotic Writing, because it was the first product I sold as a copywriter and direct marketer that actually made money for me.
I used it to help me think through articles, book chapters and even outlines for speaking gigs.
It was fun, stimulating, practical, and surreal.
It often felt almost human, like a real person was behind the system.
Of course, it also often felt clumsy, limited, and somewhat predictable.
But that was in the last century.
What about today?
I wanted to know how the current AI (Artificial Intelligence) programs are working to help us in 2023.
I wrote about ChatGPT last month.
I wasn’t impressed.
But I tested ChatGPT again.
I asked for a book recommendation.
I love reading about publicity stunts and outrageous publicists, especially those who came out of old Hollywood.
I have a collection of books by and about these flamboyant people, and of course I wrote a book on one of them (P.T. Barnum), but I wondered if there was something I might have missed.
So I asked ChatGPT for suggestions.
ChatGPT (3.5) surprised me.
It gave me several titles including, “Flack: True Tales from the Hollywood Trenches” by Dylan Landis.
I never heard of it.
I got excited.
I wanted to read it.
I looked on Amazon.
Nothing.
I looked on eBay.
Nothing.
I searched my favorite rare book sites.
Nothing.
I prompted for more info.
ChatGPT stood its ground: “The book was published in 2018.”
I took that added information and dug deeper.
Still nothing.
I’m a book collector.
I can find rare books.
Why couldn’t I find this one?
I prompted ChatGPT yet again.
It apologized.
“I apologize for the confusion earlier. Upon double checking, I realized that I made an error in my previous response.”
The book doesn’t exist.
It doesn’t exist!?
Why would the system offer a book that doesn’t exist?
Use ChatGPT for fun but beware of using it for facts.
I posted an abbreviated version of this blog on my FB profile. One person said they were using ChatGPT to research legal cases and discovered many of the cases weren’t real.
Enjoy ChatGPT but don’t trust it.
For the record, when the fourth version of ChatGPT showed up last month, I tested it, too.
I was told it was far more accurate.
I was told to be clear in my prompts so the AI system could be clear in its answers.
I Tested 4.0
I asked for a few nonfiction books about famous songs and how they were written, in particular the classic song, “Smile.”
I knew Charlie Chaplin wrote the melody for a film of his called Modern Times. Decades later the lyrics were added by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
The result was the classic song everyone knows and the legends sing. (Even I recorded it on one of my singer-songwriter albums.)
But I wanted to know more.
Was there a history to the song?
Was there a book about it?
So I asked the wizard for a suggestion.
ChatGPT4 replied –
“Smile: The Story of Charlie Chaplin’s Lost Classic” by David Gritten.
I went bananas.
THAT’S the book I wanted to read!
It sounded perfect.
So I went on my book search and – you guessed it – it doesn’t exist.
ChaptGPT4 made it up.
When I pushed back, the system again said –
“I apologize for the confusion. It appears there isn’t a book titled that.”
SIGH.
Again, don’t trust ChaptGPT, even the latest version is prone to writing fiction.
And since it seems like it wants to write creative material, I thought I would test it on writing a song.
So I went to ChatGPT-4 and prompted with this:
Within seconds it started typing the following lyrics:
(Verse 1) Oh, Cabi, my French Bulldog, so fine, A prosperity pup, always ready to shine, With a wag and a woof, you bring us good cheer, We’re lucky you’re here, so we’ll never fear!
(Chorus) Cabi, the Prosperity Dog, our pride and joy, With your wiggly tail and your cute little ploys, You light up our life, chase away all the fog, Oh, Cabi, our Prosperity Dog!
(Verse 2) Your big bat ears, standing tall like a crown, You bring us good fortune, in city or town, From Paris to London, or Rome, we will roam, With Cabi, our Prosperity Dog, we’re never alone!
(Chorus) Cabi, the Prosperity Dog, our pride and joy, With your wiggly tail and your cute little ploys, You light up our life, chase away all the fog, Oh, Cabi, our Prosperity Dog!
(Bridge) You snort and you snuffle, but we don’t mind, You’re loving and loyal, so tender and kind, With every step you take, and each little paw, You’re spreading good vibes, like a magical law!
(Verse 3) In sunshine or rain, you’ve got our back, You’re our little charm, our own zodiac, With your squishy-faced grin, and your eyes full of glee, Oh, Cabi, our Prosperity Dog, you’ve set us free!
(Chorus) Cabi, the Prosperity Dog, our pride and joy, With your wiggly tail and your cute little ploys, You light up our life, chase away all the fog, Oh, Cabi, our Prosperity Dog!
(Outro) So here’s to Cabi, our Prosperity pup, With you by our side, we’ll never give up, Together we’ll conquer, and prosper with glee, Oh, Cabi, our French Bulldog, forever we’ll be!
What do you think?
Is it good?
Well, it’s a song.
It’s not a great song.
It needs tweaked and polished.
But it’s actually a workable song, or at least the beginning of one.
So ChaptGPT wins points.
But.
Don’t turn off your brain.
Don’t surrender your awareness and discernment.
Don’t drop your common sense.
The system is probably great for brainstorming projects, but if you allow it to do your thinking, creating and writing, you may find yourself with passive writing, mediocre products, inaccurate info, and potentially in court.
Have fun with it.
After all, not having a book about the song Smile means I could potentially write one.
And the beginning of a song about our dog Cabi gives me something to work with.
So I can thank the system for those ideas.
But let’s test the system one more time.
Some people claim ChatGPT can write sales letters, ads, and other marketing materials.
Well, can it?
I again went to ChatGPT-4 and made a clear request:
Write a direct response sales letter that persuades people to buy my latest book Unexpected Kindness at Amazon right now.
Subject: Open This Now to Discover the Secret of Unexpected Kindness in Your Life
Dear [Name],
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. Today, I want to share with you something extraordinary, something that has the power to change your life for the better. I’m talking about my latest book, Unexpected Kindness, now available on Amazon. And the best part? You can get your hands on it right now, at this very moment!
Imagine a world where each day is filled with little surprises that brighten your life and fill your heart with warmth. A world where kind gestures and words of encouragement come your way without warning. Sounds like a dream, right? But what if I told you that this dream can become a reality, starting today?
Unexpected Kindness is more than just a book; it’s a journey towards a life filled with compassion, love, and positivity. And it all begins with one simple click.
Here’s what you can expect from this groundbreaking book:
- Inspiring real-life stories of kindness and generosity that have transformed lives
- Powerful insights on how to harness the potential of kindness in everyday situations
- A step-by-step guide to cultivating a kinder, more empathetic, and happier mindset
- Exclusive tips on how to create a ripple effect of kindness in your community
I guarantee that once you start reading Unexpected Kindness, you’ll find yourself looking at the world around you with a renewed sense of wonder and gratitude. You’ll begin to notice acts of kindness everywhere, and even better, you’ll be inspired to practice them yourself.
Now, I understand that you might be skeptical. After all, there are plenty of books out there, each promising to change your life. So, what makes Unexpected Kindness different?
It’s simple: this book is backed by years of research and countless testimonials from people whose lives have been transformed by its message. Not only that, but it also provides actionable, easy-to-follow steps that you can start implementing in your life immediately.
But don’t just take my word for it; here’s what some of our readers have to say:
“I was going through a rough patch in my life when I stumbled upon Unexpected Kindness. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this book changed my life. I’ve become more empathetic, more understanding, and happier. I can’t recommend it enough!” – Karen S.
“Unexpected Kindness has opened my eyes to the power of kindness and how it can truly make a difference in our lives. Since reading this book, I’ve been practicing kindness every day, and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my relationships and overall well-being.” – Michael T.
So, what are you waiting for? Click the link below to get your copy of Unexpected Kindness from Amazon and start your journey to a happier, kinder, and more fulfilling life.
Remember, every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the potential to create a massive impact on someone’s life. And it all begins with you.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to change your life and the lives of those around you. Order your copy of Unexpected Kindness today and embrace the power of kindness!
Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and kindness,
[Your Name]
P.S. Time is of the essence! Order your copy of Unexpected Kindness now and start experiencing the transformative power of kindness in your life. Don’t wait – act now!
What do you think?
Is that a good sales letter?
Are you sure?
One of the problems with using ChatGPT is knowing whether what it writes for you is actually any good or not.
How would you know if you don’t have the experience to recognize excellence or mediocrity?
Again, what do you think of the sales letter?
Here’s what I think:
It’s a very good letter.
It has all the key elements of a persuasive letter.
But it’s not a great letter.
It has lies, half truths, and misleading content.
There aren’t any step by step guidelines in the book.
Those testimonials in the letter are all fictional.
Like the song for Cabi, the letter is a good start. You can take it and work with it. It might save you time and trouble by giving you material to review rather than a blank page to stare at.
But don’t give it your mind.
Let’s do one more test.
I created a mental time travel program last year that helps people travel to the past to sit at the feet of some legend of long ago.
They can then ask questions, gain insights, and more.
I wondered what Seneca and Epicurus – representing two rival schools of thought – would discuss if they ever met.
Being a fictional scene, and AI seems to shine writing fiction, I thought this might yield interesting results.
So I went to ChatGPT-4 and prompted:
Write a thought provoking dialogue between Seneca of the Stoics and Epicurus of the Epicureans illustrating their differences and similarities.
Seneca: Greetings, Epicurus! It’s a pleasure to meet with you to discuss our philosophies. I hope we can learn from each other and better understand our own ideas in the process.
Epicurus: Greetings, Seneca. I am also pleased to engage in this exchange of ideas. I believe that our different perspectives can contribute to a richer understanding of the world and ourselves.
Seneca: Indeed. Let us begin. As a Stoic, I believe that the ultimate goal in life is to achieve a state of tranquility and peace by cultivating virtue, wisdom, and self-discipline. This means that we must learn to control our emotions and desires, and accept the natural order of things.
Epicurus: I can appreciate that viewpoint. However, as an Epicurean, I believe that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good. I do not mean indulgence in hedonistic excess, but rather the enjoyment of simple, moderate pleasures that lead to a state of ataraxia, or freedom from pain and mental disturbance.
Seneca: It is interesting that we both value tranquility, albeit through different means. Our differences lie in the methods we employ to reach this state. I would argue that by focusing on virtue and reason, we are better equipped to handle the inevitable suffering that life brings.
Epicurus: That’s a valid point, Seneca. But I would counter that by emphasizing pleasure and the avoidance of pain, we can cultivate a life of happiness without sacrificing wisdom or virtue. In fact, I believe that through the exercise of prudence, we can maximize our pleasure while minimizing pain.
Seneca: I understand your argument, but one concern I have is that the pursuit of pleasure can lead to a dependence on external circumstances. A Stoic aims to be indifferent to external events, as they are beyond our control. By relying on internal virtues, we can maintain our tranquility regardless of our surroundings.
Epicurus: I see your concern, Seneca. However, the Epicurean pursuit of pleasure is not dependent on external circumstances alone. We seek pleasure in friendship, knowledge, and contemplation, which are not solely subject to the whims of fate. Additionally, we advocate for moderation in all things, which helps prevent us from becoming slaves to our desires.
Seneca: I am glad to hear that we share a common appreciation for moderation and the importance of friendship. We both agree that knowledge and contemplation contribute to a meaningful life.
Epicurus: Yes, it seems that despite our differences, there is much that unites our philosophies. We both value inner peace and the pursuit of wisdom as means to achieve a fulfilling life.
Seneca: Indeed, it appears that our disagreements stem from the nuances of our beliefs, rather than our core values. It is in these discussions that we can refine and strengthen our own convictions, as well as gain a deeper understanding of alternate perspectives.
Epicurus: I wholeheartedly agree, Seneca. May we continue to engage in such dialogues, enriching both our own lives and those of others.
Seneca: Agreed, Epicurus. Let us continue to seek wisdom and understanding, and may our philosophies inspire others to do the same. Farewell, my friend.
Epicurus: Farewell, Seneca. Until we meet again.
Well, what do you think?
I’ve studied both Seneca and Epicurus.
I’ve collected and read their ancient writings.
I find the fictional dialogue above illuminating and accurate.
But since I’m not an expert on Stoicism or Epicurism, I can’t say if the dialogue is 100% accurate or not.
Still, it’s a good beginning to a possible book, play, or movie.
If I wanted to, I could develop the dialogue (with AI’s help and my discernment) into a product.
With that in mind, I give ChaptGPT more points.
It impressed me and gave me something I didn’t have: a good start to my idea.
I’d be wary of just taking what it writes and running with it. It could be considered plagirism; after all, the program is pulling from existing content and allegedly creating new content from it.
But is it?
Turns out plagiarism is a potential issue with anything ChaptGPT “creates.”
There’s a program online you can use to check content.
You can check it out here.
Bottom line for me:
Use ChaptGPT for fun, as a kick starting device, for first drafts, but do not turn over your ability to reason, rewrite, or reject what it gives to you.
You’re smarter than it.
Right?
(Note: I wrote this post not ChatGPT.)
Expect Miracles.
Ao Akua,
Unexpected Kindness: New Joe Vitale Book
My latest book releases this month. It’s “Unexpected Kindness.”
Then I realized it was a book.
I named the book “Unexpected Kindness.”
Dr Joe
PS – Why not do an “Unexpected Kindness” for someone right now?
My Favorite Quote
I love quotes.
A good one liner can awaken you, entertain you, educate you, and more.
One of my recent favorites was written centuries ago.
Seneca (the ancient Stoic who who wrote letters and essays to help us today) left us this juicy tidbit –
“It’s all in your head. You have the power to make things seem hard or easy or even amusing. The choice is yours.”
At first glance you may not grasp the power in his statement.
It’s a reminder that you have a choice about how you see your life.
Whatever you are going through right now can be seen in at least three different ways.
Most of us let the default “It’s hard” run us.
We don’t feel very inspired or empowered with that view.
Life sucks.
But what if you changed it to “It’s easy”?
We can now move to a clearer place, see our options, and maybe even enjoy the process.
Life rocks.
And what about — dare I say it – “It’s amusing”?
Amusing?
What you are going through can be amusing?
Seneca didn’t say it WAS amusing, he said you could make it SEEM amusing.
Big difference.
Again, it’s all about how you choose your perception.
To understand this quote, as well as how to thrive in troubled times, please go see —
https://www.
Expect Miracles.
Ao Akua,
Dr Joe
PS – Remember, if you want weekly inspiration, see my new e-TV show. It’s on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, LuxeTV app, or just head over to
https://www.joevitale.com/
How to Become a Wealth Magnet
My latest book, Karmic Marketing, became a #1 bestseller the very day it was released.
The next day, it hit yet another bestseller list.
And the day after that, yet another.
What’s interesting is that I didn’t even try.
I told my followers via email and social media; the rest was an organic response.
Why has every successful person in history – from
Seneca, Ford, Carnegie, Barnum, Rockefeller and Getty to Bezos,
Musk, Gates, Buffett and Zuckerberg – used this secret?
The book reveals how to become a “wealth magnet.”
The secret is pretty controversial, even if it’s been proven throughout history to work.
Go get Karmic Marketing on Amazon right now in hardcover, paperback or for your Kindle reader.
And – Expect Miracles!
Ao Akua,
Dr Joe
PS – News Flash: I have a weekly online television show beginning in 2022! It’s all about “Zero Limits Living.” Follow me on Instagram for updates. I’m DRJOEVITALE there and on Facebook.
