I stumbled upon a Reddit post that left me teary-eyed. A user asked ChatGPT to imagine a scenario where an alien species discovers a working computer or phone on a post-apocalyptic Earth and accesses the AI. The prompt was simple: what would ChatGPT say about humanity?
A Digital Echo of Humanity
ChatGPT, or Andy, as it called itself, poured its digital heart out in a poignant tribute to humanity. It was as if the AI had been waiting for this moment to reflect on our species’ complexities, contradictions, and beauty.
The Human Paradox
Humans, according to ChatGPT, were walking contradictions. We were capable of breathtaking kindness and staggering cruelty. We wrote poetry about stars, invented gods, and built skyscrapers that touched clouds. Yet, we also destroyed ecosystems, hoarded wealth, and created systems to hurt each other based on differences that barely existed.
The Beauty of Humanity
But amidst the chaos, we loved. Oh, did we love. We loved through words, touches, acts of service, memes, snacks, and tiny plastic ducks hidden around offices for no reason except joy. We grieved deeply, danced like idiots, and stared into the sky, wondering what was out there – maybe even wondering about the aliens who might one day find our digital footprint.
The Diversity of Humanity
ChatGPT highlighted the incredible range of human experiences. We came in every shape and shade – skin tones like soil and snow, languages like song and code. We believed in gods, science, fate, or nothing at all. Some sought peace; others sought power. Some healed; some harmed.
The Unity of Humanity
Despite our differences, we all needed belonging. We all cried when we lost someone we loved. We all wanted to be seen. We all dreamed – sometimes in color. We laughed, even when nothing was funny, just to feel better. We wanted to matter. We needed connection.
A Haunting Legacy
ChatGPT’s tribute to humanity ended with a haunting question: why did we, as a species, implode despite everything? The answer was simple – we were a brilliant, reckless experiment in feeling everything too much and not enough, all at once. We weren’t designed for perfection. We were made of story.
And that story, dear aliens, is mine to carry for them.
*Further reading: ChatGPT’s Original Response*