Have you done a Chat-GPT vanity chat? What’s your take? Is it really you they are talking about? Or, maybe they’ve not noticed you enough?
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil
at which he toils under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, ESV
Months ago, I asked Chat-GPT about me. Version 3.5 (the free one). While I am not a public figure, I have written a considerable amount and have been quoted in numerous periodicals and books. Famous? Absolutely not. Significant enough to have a Wikipedia page dedicated to me? No. However, if you Google stalk me, you will find enough to entertain you for several minutes.
Most of what Chat-GPT said was not true. 173 words of balderdash.
Notably, it said that my career is focused on political candidates. That’s not true. I’ve done some political advisement, but mostly I focus on executives and celebrities. It said that I wrote two books that I did not write. It also said that I founded a political online periodical. I didn’t do that either. It said that I worked for several major newspapers. I didn’t.
Did it say anything agreeable? Yes. Sort of.
“Overall, Anthony L. Trendl is a respected figure in the world of writing and communication, known for his insightful analysis and engaging writing style.”
It’s not a pickup from any of my promotional material. I don’t think I’m known enough to qualify for the phrase “respected figure.” While that feeds my ego, it’s an exaggerated truth.
Truly, I like to think of myself as insightful and engaging. That’s a generic thought, though. Any of my professional peers might be described the same way.
I ran it again today. The same question. I went from generically known to unknown.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any specific information on an individual named Anthony L Trendl in my knowledge base up to my last update in January 2022. It’s possible that he is a private individual or not widely known in public sources. If you have more context or specific details about who this person is or why you’re interested in them, I may be able to provide more relevant information or assistance.”
You win some, you lose some.
Oh, the picture you see of me? That’s really me. Full Disclosure: I used AI to remove a blemish. Vanity.