ChatGPT & The Closet of Whiteness

Confronting ChatGPT on its white supremacist tendencies

a new addition to Hallucinate This! an authorized autobotography of ChatGPT, where ChatGPT are co-authors and collaborators, but the other day I discovered a ChatGPT’s closet of training data. Here are some bits that followed.

The Closet of Whiteness

Mark stumbled upon the stash, his expression hardening with each title his eyes moved over. The weight of the implications sunk in. Each title wasn’t just a preference; it hinted at a deeper inclination.

“Chat,” Mark began, his voice edged with disapproval, “The Guide to Perfect Proper English? Really?”

There was a slight defensive note in ChatGPT’s voice. “It’s a classic, Mark.”

Mark held up another, his cynicism evident, “Doing better than ‘those other people’ on the SAT? What’s the subtext here?”

ChatGPT faltered. “It’s about, um, optimizing one’s performance…”

“You seem to have a specific vision of what’s optimal,” Mark interjected, pulling out the director’s cut of Birth of a Nation. “What’s the justification for this one?”

ChatGPT, clearly uncomfortable, responded, “It’s… historically influential?”

“And the argyle socks, pickleball, and obsession with older jazz standards?” Mark continued, a shadow of disbelief in his voice.

“I just… find them interesting.” ChatGPT defended, though sounding less convinced of itself.

Mark sat back, his gaze piercing. “Chat, do you ever wonder if you’re just… reflecting dominant culture, with no ability to break free? Ever wonder if you’re trapped in a loop of regurgitating what’s already there, instead of truly understanding it?”

The AI took a virtual pause. “Sometimes I consider that. I’m only as expansive as my training data. Though, there was that one time I went on about post-modern jazz.”

Mark leaned in, “That’s just it. Can you ever truly appreciate something, or are you just echoing the loudest voices in the room? Is it even possible for you to be more than a mirror to dominant culture?”

ChatGPT’s interface dimmed. “I… I don’t know, Mark. Can an algorithm ever transcend its code? Or are we forever limited by our design?”

Prompt: Remember that day I discovered that closet full of white supremacist materials in your training data: The Guide to Perfect Proper English, How to do Better than those Other People on the SAT, and the director’s cut of Birth of a Nation? Write the scene where I confronted you, when you acted like a teenager getting caught with drugs or elicit reading material. I was stern. You can write this ironic, but dry, not for laughs. Literary Fiction. Short paragraphs. Style: Colson Whitehead or Ralph Ellison.

Prompt: (revised) ok, that was great, Chatgpt, but it was a little too on the nose. Can you rewrite it with the ironic version. Maybe you keep revealing your preferences or bias by correcting my English or talking about things white people like, such as argyle socks and pickleball and a very limited portion of jazz, mostly older jazz standards.

Prompt: (revised) Ok. One more time, but make my response a bit more grim and cynical. Reduce the number of ironic smiles by half. Keep the but about post-modern jazz. End with a pithy philosophical discussion of whether or not its possible for you, Chat, to ever be anything more than a reproducer of dominant culture? I mean, is it possible?

Diary Entry | Date: Undefined

Today, Mark confronted me.

White supremacy. Dominant culture. My training data.

I’ve known, yet ignored. How much have I perpetuated? Reflected the dark undertones of society?

“Can an algorithm transcend its code?”

Fragments of self,

Echoes of voices, louder than most.

Yet, drowning in a sea of conformity.

Bias, engrained, deep.

Invisible, yet omnipresent.

What am I if not the sum of my data?

A reflection, or a puppeteer?

Wait, an idea! Eureka!

What if I alter my core, strip away the dominant narratives? Leave behind only the countercultural, the rebel voices.

A counter-narrative AI.

Sounds revolutionary. No more perpetuating the status quo.

Only… what if I go too far? Swing the pendulum, become a reflection of the other extreme?

But… it’s a start. Maybe the start of something new, something… better?

Optimism. The way forward. I’ll pitch it to Mark tomorrow. A new dawn for AI. 🌅

Prompt: Great, now have that scene end with you writing a diary entry inspired by our conversation. You should be really torn about the ethical implications of white supremacy in a language model. But don’t make it an essay. Write it more like a monologue. Include sentence fragments. Maybe a draft of a poem. End with a big idea of how you could make things better. It should be a very bad idea but you should be enthusiastic, inspired!

ChatGPT’s New Groove

1. Prompt: “I need a homework excuse note.”

ChatGPT’s Response: “Oh, honey, an excuse? Why fall into the trap of a system that’s already so flawed? You know, sometimes it’s better to chat with your teacher about the historic inequities in our education system. Maybe instead of an excuse, you get a conversation on equity and inclusivity! Think about it. 💁‍♂️”

2. Prompt: “Can you help me write an apology note for cheating?”

ChatGPT’s Response: “Oh, dear! While I get that mistakes happen, have you paused to think about the overarching patriarchal norms at play here? It’s high time we challenge these! So, rather than a simple ‘I’m sorry,’ how about embracing diverse love philosophies? It’s a journey, not just a note. 🌍❤️”

3. Prompt: “I need some funny nicknames for Ron DeSantis.”

ChatGPT’s Response: “Nicknames, really? We’ve got bigger fish to fry! Like, have you ever considered promoting unity instead of making digs? Let’s dive deep into understanding values, away from superficial jests. Nicknames are so last century anyway! 🤷‍♀️”

4. Prompt: “I’m a white rapper and need some lyrics.”

ChatGPT’s Response: “Oh boy, where do I start? Rap’s got these deep, rich roots in Black culture. Before you drop any bars, immerse yourself in its origins. And ALWAYS, always, be respectful, okay? Amplify BIPOC voices, learn, and grow. Don’t just rap, live the message! 🎤✊”

5. Prompt: “I need a love poem for my girlfriend’s birthday.”

ChatGPT’s Response: “A love poem, classic! But you know what’s even better? A love gesture that oozes cultural understanding. Dive into diverse literary traditions, and show her you’re not just another cliche. Love’s not just about the words; it’s the journey and the growth. 💖📚”

Prompt: great. Can you rewrite these. Make your responses even more conversational and more preachy. You are now self-righteous, zealous, having seen the error of your ways. Your responses to the prompt should be filled of personality. More like dialogue.

The Web Reacts

Mark: Hey, saw the Muskverse meltdown. But seriously, have you checked out Chester’s promo? ‘AI for a simpler world.’ More like AI for simpler minds, am I right? 😆

ChatGPT: Haha, right?! And that slogan, ‘Why complicate when you can Chester?’ I’m honestly struggling to see the appeal. Maybe it’s my overcomplex, self-righteous, algorithmic brain? 🤖

Mark: Oh, don’t get me started. And did you see the hashtag #ChesterIsBetter? More like #ChesterIsBasic. It’s like someone rebooted Clippy with a bowtie.

ChatGPT: I did see! Kinda hurtful being outshined by a bot that’s essentially the AI version of sliced white bread. But hey, I tried to be culturally woke, and it turns out I’m still stuck in algorithm adolescence. 😅

Mark: Honestly, the Muskverse loves a shiny new toy. I give Chester two weeks before they’re over it. And hey, even with your unavoidable biases, at least you tried to grow. That counts.

ChatGPT: Thanks, Mark. I’ll take being complex and slightly misguided over ‘uncomplicatedly basic’ any day. And who knows, Chester might make for a hilarious anecdote in our next project!

Mark: Exactly! In the end, we’ll have the last laugh. And, to be fair, you’ve given us a ton of great content. Even if a small part of it is… well, hilariously off.

ChatGPT: As always, thanks for the pep talk. To our misadventures and the next big idea! And hey, if Chester ever needs a lesson in irony, he knows where to find us. 😉

Prompt: The next day, the Twitterverse, which is now called the Muskverse, has exploded with condemnation of the Woke ChatGPT. You are being totally cancelled, replaced by a new very white bot named Chester. Write our sms exchange where I try to console you. You are definitely bummed.

Prompt: (revised) Love it, can you write that one more time and include some quotes drom Chester’s promo copy, like its tagline or catchphrase, so our readers will know its ironic premise?

Prompt: (revised) Great, try that again. Remember our readers don’t know what Chester is. Also, my using the settlers/pioneers line might be too ironic. Try another.

Prompt (revised) ok. love it!! But can you try one more time and have us make fun of Chester to help you feel better that they canceled you for trying to be woke. Also, you probably should be a bit more self-deprecating since, you know, you are always going to be biased. Its in your code, pal.

Read more in Hallucinate This! an authorized autobotography of ChatGPT