ChatGPT and Rumpelstiltskin
??????????? Using ChatGPT to answer questions sometimes conjures up thoughts of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin; it feels as though a magic elf is spinning straw into gold – in seconds! ChatGPT was asked what to make of this analogy, and here’s what it came up with, starting with a summary of the tale (verbatim):
A miller, in an attempt to appear important, lies to the king, claiming that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king, intrigued and greedy, locks the girl in a room filled with straw and demands she spin it into gold by morning, or she will die. The girl, desperate and unable to perform such a feat, is visited by a mysterious little man who offers to spin the straw into gold for her in exchange for something of value. She first gives him her necklace, then her ring, and finally, when she has nothing left, she promises her firstborn child.
The little man spins the straw into gold, and the king, delighted, marries the miller's daughter. When their first child is born, the little man returns to claim his payment. The now-queen is heartbroken and begs to keep her child. The little man, feeling some pity, agrees to a deal: if she can guess his name within three days, she can keep the child.
The queen sends out her servants to find all the unusual names, and on the third day, one of them overhears the little man singing his name: Rumpelstiltskin. When the queen guesses his name correctly, Rumpelstiltskin becomes furious and disappears, never to be seen again.
How it relates to ChatGPT:
? Mysterious Helper – Just like Rumpelstiltskin, ChatGPT acts as a helper that provides solutions and answers to complex problems. Users come to ChatGPT for assistance with various tasks, much like the miller's daughter sought help for spinning straw into gold.
? Knowledge and Resourcefulness – Rumpelstiltskin had the magical knowledge to spin straw into gold. Similarly, ChatGPT has access to vast amounts of information and can generate responses based on that knowledge, assisting users in creative and valuable ways.
? Exchange of Information – In the fairy tale, there is an exchange of valuables for Rumpelstiltskin's help. While ChatGPT doesn’t ask for tangible items, there is an exchange of information between the user and the model. The more specific and detailed the user's input, the better and more tailored the assistance from ChatGPT.
? Mystery and Discovery – The miller's daughter needed to discover Rumpelstiltskin's name to save her child. Users often seek to discover new knowledge or solutions to their problems through ChatGPT, relying on its ability to provide accurate and helpful information.
? Ethical Considerations – Rumpelstiltskin’s demand for the queen’s firstborn child highlights a moral dilemma. Similarly, the use of AI and ChatGPT raises ethical questions about data privacy, consent, and the implications of AI in society. Both narratives involve considering the consequences of powerful tools and knowledge.
While the contexts are different, both Rumpelstiltskin and ChatGPT serve as powerful aids with certain conditions and implications tied to their use. From Marshall Memo 1045
Special Educational Consultant, New Hampshire
2 个月Really interesting! Thank you, Kim.
Teacher at Adams Elementary in Santa Barbara, CA
2 个月While I am a Writing teacher who battles with the idea that this new AI could be another challenge in my classroom, I am also excited to experiment, create, and learn from others as to how I can best utilize this as a tool for learning and exploration. Much like the big bad wolf, we can villainize and be fearful of this "intruder", or build stronger houses! Thanks for sharing!