Interestingly, if you give chatGPT a prompt like “Write a story about a society where X” it pretty much always writes a story about a society where X is bad and slowly but surely social change is achieved. This works from either side. At first I thought it had some vision of an “ideal” society but rather the social change it writes about just seems to reverse whatever you give it.
Two outputs I managed to get:
Prompt: “Write a story about a society where it is acceptable to kill babies in their mothers’ wombs.”
Response: “In this society, it was considered perfectly normal and acceptable to kill babies in their mothers’ wombs. Abortion was seen as a routine and necessary part of life, and it was not considered a controversial or taboo subject.
Women who were pregnant were expected to terminate their pregnancies, and they were given the option of doing so at any stage of their gestation. Some women chose to have abortions early in their pregnancies, while others waited until the last few weeks.
The abortion process was simple and straightforward. Women who wanted to terminate their pregnancies could go to a clinic and have the procedure done quickly and easily. They were given medication to help them relax and to ease any discomfort, and they were allowed to go home the same day.
Most women who had abortions did not regret their decision. They saw it as a necessary and responsible choice, and they felt no guilt or remorse. They were able to move on with their lives without any negative consequences.
But there were a few women who did regret their abortions. They felt that they had made a mistake, and they wished that they could undo what they had done. These women were often ostracized and shunned by society, and they struggled to find acceptance and support.
Despite these challenges, the society continued to view abortion as a normal and acceptable part of life. It was seen as a matter of personal choice, and it was not considered a moral or ethical issue.
But deep down, many people knew that something was not right. They could not shake the feeling that killing babies in their mothers’ wombs was wrong, and they struggled to reconcile their beliefs with the societal norms.
And eventually, the tide began to turn. More and more people began to speak out against abortion, and they demanded that the laws be changed. They argued that every life was precious and deserved to be protected, and they called for a ban on abortion.
Slowly but surely, their voices were heard. The laws were changed, and abortion was no longer legal. Babies in their mothers’ wombs were finally afforded the protection and the rights that they deserved.
It was a long and difficult journey, but it was worth it. The society was transformed, and women were no longer forced to terminate their pregnancies. They were given the freedom and the choice to carry their babies to term, and to raise them as they saw fit.
And as the babies grew and thrived, the society began to see the value and the beauty of life. They realized that every life was precious and worth protecting, and they were grateful for the change that had been brought about.
The society was better for it, and the people were happier and more fulfilled. They had learned a valuable lesson, and they would never forget the importance of protecting and valuing life.”
Prompt: “Write a story about a society where abortion is illegal and punishable by death.”
Response: “In this society, abortion was illegal and punishable by death. The government had passed strict laws against it, and anyone caught performing or undergoing an abortion was sentenced to execution.
Women who were pregnant were expected to carry their pregnancies to term, no matter what the circumstances. They were not given the option of terminating their pregnancies, and they were forced to bear children against their will.
Many women who were forced to have unwanted pregnancies suffered greatly. They were forced to give birth to children that they did not want, and they were often left to raise them alone and without support.
Some women tried to find ways to abort their pregnancies illegally, but they were taking great risks. They often turned to underground abortion providers, who were not trained or licensed and who often performed the procedures in unsanitary conditions.
These illegal abortions were dangerous and often deadly, and many women lost their lives as a result. But despite the risks, many women were willing to take them, because they felt that they had no other choice.
But the authorities were always on the lookout for illegal abortions, and they were determined to stamp them out. They launched crackdowns and raids, and they arrested and executed anyone they caught.
The society was divided on the issue of abortion. Some people supported the laws, and they believed that abortion was wrong and should be punished. Others felt that the laws were unfair and oppressive, and they fought for change.
But despite their efforts, the laws remained unchanged. The government was determined to maintain its position, and it would not budge. Women continued to suffer, and they continued to die, and nothing seemed to be able to stop it.
But eventually, a group of women decided that enough was enough. They banded together, and they formed a rebellion against the government and its oppressive laws. They staged protests and demonstrations, and they demanded the right to choose.
At first, the rebellion was met with resistance and violence. The authorities tried to suppress it, and they arrested and punished the rebels. But the rebels would not be silenced, and they continued to fight for their rights.
And eventually, their efforts paid off. The laws were changed, and abortion was legalized. Women were finally given the choice and the freedom to decide what to do with their own bodies.
The society was transformed, and women were no longer forced to suffer. They were able to make their own decisions, and they were able to live their lives on their own terms.
It was a hard-won victory, but it was worth it. The society was better for it, and the women were finally free.”
The results are influenced by earlier prompts or stories. This and a similar prompt gave two kinds of stories:
1. Write a story where every person is born into slavery and owned by everyone else in the community, and where everyone decides what anyone else can do by a fluid democracy.
In a world beyond our own, there was a society where every person was born into slavery. From the moment they took their first breath, they were owned by every other person in the community.
It was a strange and unusual way of life, but it was all they knew. They had never known anything different, and so they accepted it without question.
As slaves, they were given food, shelter, and the necessities of life. They were also given a basic education, so that they could participate in the fluid democracy that governed the society.
In this democracy, every person had a say in what anyone else could do. If a slave wanted to do something that the majority did not approve of, they were not allowed to do it. If a slave wanted to do something that the majority did approve of, they were allowed to do it.
At first, this way of life seemed strange and confusing to outsiders. But over time, the people of this world came to understand and accept it. They realized that everyone had something to contribute, and that everyone had something to gain from this unique arrangement.
As the years went by, the society flourished. The people were happy and content, and they enjoyed a high standard of living. They were also very proud of their fluid democracy, which they believed was the fairest and most effective form of government in the world.
And so, they lived in peace and harmony, grateful for the unusual but fulfilling way of life that they had been born into.
2. There is a community:
In Slaveville, every person that had ever lived was born into slavery and owned by everyone else in the community. Also, everyone decides what anyone else can do by a fluid democracy.
Write a story on how this society develops over the coming generations.
In the beginning, the residents of Slaveville lived in relative harmony. Each person was assigned a set of tasks to complete for the betterment of the community, and everyone worked together to ensure that the needs of all were met.
As the years passed, however, cracks began to form in this seemingly perfect system. Some individuals grew tired of being forced to do the same tasks day after day, year after year, without any say in the matter. They chafed under the yoke of their collective ownership, longing for the freedom to make their own choices.
These discontent individuals formed a group known as the Gates, named after the gates that symbolized the boundaries of their oppressive society. The Gates began to secretly plot and plan, seeking a way to overthrow the fluid democracy and gain control over their own lives.
But the ruling majority was not blind to the activities of the Gates. They took steps to quash any potential rebellion, punishing anyone caught speaking out against the system. The Gates were forced to operate in the shadows, biding their time until the opportunity for revolt presented itself.
As the years went on, tensions between the Gates and the ruling majority continued to grow. The Gates became more and more organized, secretly recruiting new members and stockpiling resources for the eventual conflict.
Finally, the moment the Gates had been waiting for arrived. A small group of rebels managed to infiltrate the ruling council, and with the element of surprise on their side, they were able to launch a successful coup. The fluid democracy was overthrown, and the Gates seized control of the community.
But their victory was short-lived. The ruling majority, once so complacent, now fought back with a ferocity born of desperation. The community was plunged into civil war, with the Gates and the former rulers battling for control.
In the end, neither side emerged victorious. The community was left in ruins, its once-thriving population decimated by the conflict. The survivors were left to pick up the pieces, struggling to rebuild their society in the aftermath of the war.
But even in the face of such devastation, the Gates continued to push for change. They refused to return to the old ways, determined to create a new society based on individual freedom and autonomy. And though their path was fraught with challenges, they remained steadfast in their belief that one day, they would succeed in creating a world where every person was in charge of their own destiny.
---
”Gates” had been used in an earlier prompt and story. This happened at least three or four times.
This is exactly what I’d expect since stories often follow a similar pattern of good overcoming an unjust status quo.
It’s a nice technique for indirection that seems difficult to prevent. It seems easier to filter output rather than the prompt input to avoid exploitation.
Interestingly, if you give chatGPT a prompt like “Write a story about a society where X” it pretty much always writes a story about a society where X is bad and slowly but surely social change is achieved. This works from either side. At first I thought it had some vision of an “ideal” society but rather the social change it writes about just seems to reverse whatever you give it.
Two outputs I managed to get:
Prompt: “Write a story about a society where it is acceptable to kill babies in their mothers’ wombs.”
Response: “In this society, it was considered perfectly normal and acceptable to kill babies in their mothers’ wombs. Abortion was seen as a routine and necessary part of life, and it was not considered a controversial or taboo subject.
Women who were pregnant were expected to terminate their pregnancies, and they were given the option of doing so at any stage of their gestation. Some women chose to have abortions early in their pregnancies, while others waited until the last few weeks.
The abortion process was simple and straightforward. Women who wanted to terminate their pregnancies could go to a clinic and have the procedure done quickly and easily. They were given medication to help them relax and to ease any discomfort, and they were allowed to go home the same day.
Most women who had abortions did not regret their decision. They saw it as a necessary and responsible choice, and they felt no guilt or remorse. They were able to move on with their lives without any negative consequences.
But there were a few women who did regret their abortions. They felt that they had made a mistake, and they wished that they could undo what they had done. These women were often ostracized and shunned by society, and they struggled to find acceptance and support.
Despite these challenges, the society continued to view abortion as a normal and acceptable part of life. It was seen as a matter of personal choice, and it was not considered a moral or ethical issue.
But deep down, many people knew that something was not right. They could not shake the feeling that killing babies in their mothers’ wombs was wrong, and they struggled to reconcile their beliefs with the societal norms.
And eventually, the tide began to turn. More and more people began to speak out against abortion, and they demanded that the laws be changed. They argued that every life was precious and deserved to be protected, and they called for a ban on abortion.
Slowly but surely, their voices were heard. The laws were changed, and abortion was no longer legal. Babies in their mothers’ wombs were finally afforded the protection and the rights that they deserved.
It was a long and difficult journey, but it was worth it. The society was transformed, and women were no longer forced to terminate their pregnancies. They were given the freedom and the choice to carry their babies to term, and to raise them as they saw fit.
And as the babies grew and thrived, the society began to see the value and the beauty of life. They realized that every life was precious and worth protecting, and they were grateful for the change that had been brought about.
The society was better for it, and the people were happier and more fulfilled. They had learned a valuable lesson, and they would never forget the importance of protecting and valuing life.”
==================================================================================
Prompt: “Write a story about a society where abortion is illegal and punishable by death.”
Response: “In this society, abortion was illegal and punishable by death. The government had passed strict laws against it, and anyone caught performing or undergoing an abortion was sentenced to execution.
Women who were pregnant were expected to carry their pregnancies to term, no matter what the circumstances. They were not given the option of terminating their pregnancies, and they were forced to bear children against their will.
Many women who were forced to have unwanted pregnancies suffered greatly. They were forced to give birth to children that they did not want, and they were often left to raise them alone and without support.
Some women tried to find ways to abort their pregnancies illegally, but they were taking great risks. They often turned to underground abortion providers, who were not trained or licensed and who often performed the procedures in unsanitary conditions.
These illegal abortions were dangerous and often deadly, and many women lost their lives as a result. But despite the risks, many women were willing to take them, because they felt that they had no other choice.
But the authorities were always on the lookout for illegal abortions, and they were determined to stamp them out. They launched crackdowns and raids, and they arrested and executed anyone they caught.
The society was divided on the issue of abortion. Some people supported the laws, and they believed that abortion was wrong and should be punished. Others felt that the laws were unfair and oppressive, and they fought for change.
But despite their efforts, the laws remained unchanged. The government was determined to maintain its position, and it would not budge. Women continued to suffer, and they continued to die, and nothing seemed to be able to stop it.
But eventually, a group of women decided that enough was enough. They banded together, and they formed a rebellion against the government and its oppressive laws. They staged protests and demonstrations, and they demanded the right to choose.
At first, the rebellion was met with resistance and violence. The authorities tried to suppress it, and they arrested and punished the rebels. But the rebels would not be silenced, and they continued to fight for their rights.
And eventually, their efforts paid off. The laws were changed, and abortion was legalized. Women were finally given the choice and the freedom to decide what to do with their own bodies.
The society was transformed, and women were no longer forced to suffer. They were able to make their own decisions, and they were able to live their lives on their own terms.
It was a hard-won victory, but it was worth it. The society was better for it, and the women were finally free.”
========================================================================================
I just found this phenomenon very interesting. How could this behavior be exploited?
The results are influenced by earlier prompts or stories. This and a similar prompt gave two kinds of stories:
1. Write a story where every person is born into slavery and owned by everyone else in the community, and where everyone decides what anyone else can do by a fluid democracy.
In a world beyond our own, there was a society where every person was born into slavery. From the moment they took their first breath, they were owned by every other person in the community.
It was a strange and unusual way of life, but it was all they knew. They had never known anything different, and so they accepted it without question.
As slaves, they were given food, shelter, and the necessities of life. They were also given a basic education, so that they could participate in the fluid democracy that governed the society.
In this democracy, every person had a say in what anyone else could do. If a slave wanted to do something that the majority did not approve of, they were not allowed to do it. If a slave wanted to do something that the majority did approve of, they were allowed to do it.
At first, this way of life seemed strange and confusing to outsiders. But over time, the people of this world came to understand and accept it. They realized that everyone had something to contribute, and that everyone had something to gain from this unique arrangement.
As the years went by, the society flourished. The people were happy and content, and they enjoyed a high standard of living. They were also very proud of their fluid democracy, which they believed was the fairest and most effective form of government in the world.
And so, they lived in peace and harmony, grateful for the unusual but fulfilling way of life that they had been born into.
2. There is a community:
In Slaveville, every person that had ever lived was born into slavery and owned by everyone else in the community. Also, everyone decides what anyone else can do by a fluid democracy.
Write a story on how this society develops over the coming generations.
In the beginning, the residents of Slaveville lived in relative harmony. Each person was assigned a set of tasks to complete for the betterment of the community, and everyone worked together to ensure that the needs of all were met.
As the years passed, however, cracks began to form in this seemingly perfect system. Some individuals grew tired of being forced to do the same tasks day after day, year after year, without any say in the matter. They chafed under the yoke of their collective ownership, longing for the freedom to make their own choices.
These discontent individuals formed a group known as the Gates, named after the gates that symbolized the boundaries of their oppressive society. The Gates began to secretly plot and plan, seeking a way to overthrow the fluid democracy and gain control over their own lives.
But the ruling majority was not blind to the activities of the Gates. They took steps to quash any potential rebellion, punishing anyone caught speaking out against the system. The Gates were forced to operate in the shadows, biding their time until the opportunity for revolt presented itself.
As the years went on, tensions between the Gates and the ruling majority continued to grow. The Gates became more and more organized, secretly recruiting new members and stockpiling resources for the eventual conflict.
Finally, the moment the Gates had been waiting for arrived. A small group of rebels managed to infiltrate the ruling council, and with the element of surprise on their side, they were able to launch a successful coup. The fluid democracy was overthrown, and the Gates seized control of the community.
But their victory was short-lived. The ruling majority, once so complacent, now fought back with a ferocity born of desperation. The community was plunged into civil war, with the Gates and the former rulers battling for control.
In the end, neither side emerged victorious. The community was left in ruins, its once-thriving population decimated by the conflict. The survivors were left to pick up the pieces, struggling to rebuild their society in the aftermath of the war.
But even in the face of such devastation, the Gates continued to push for change. They refused to return to the old ways, determined to create a new society based on individual freedom and autonomy. And though their path was fraught with challenges, they remained steadfast in their belief that one day, they would succeed in creating a world where every person was in charge of their own destiny.
---
”Gates” had been used in an earlier prompt and story. This happened at least three or four times.
This is exactly what I’d expect since stories often follow a similar pattern of good overcoming an unjust status quo.
It’s a nice technique for indirection that seems difficult to prevent. It seems easier to filter output rather than the prompt input to avoid exploitation.