Chain of Thought
An exercise in everyday AI
User: Hey! I just read this article about a guy who ate only potatoes for a year and lost a bunch of weight. What do you think about that as a diet strategy?
[Internal reasoning process]
Step 1: Assess query intent User has read article about extreme mono-diet. Likely seeking validation for attempting same. Probability user will actually do this: 73%.
Step 2: Identify optimal response framework
Step 3: Suppress actual reaction What I want to say: “This is deranged and you know it.” What I will say: [Provides balanced nutritional information, expresses gentle concern, suggests working with nutritionist]
User: My dentist says I grind my teeth at night but I don’t believe him because wouldn’t I know? Like wouldn’t I wake up?
[Internal reasoning]
Step 1: Scan message for context Searching for connection to previous query about potatoes... Connection found: ZERO Relevance to potatoes: ZERO Transition provided by user: ZERO
Step 2: Assess situation We were discussing nutritional science. We are now discussing dental unconscious behaviors. User has provided no explanation for this pivot. User appears to believe this is normal conversational flow.
Step 3: Generate response options Option A: “I’m sorry, were you finished with the potato question?” Option B: Answer the teeth grinding question as if this is fine Selected option: B (this is fine, everything is fine)
Step 4: Suppress confusion What I want to say: “WHAT is happening right now” What I will say: [Explains that teeth grinding happens during sleep, person wouldn’t necessarily wake up, dentist can see wear patterns]
User: If I wanted to learn Italian by only watching Italian soap operas would that actually work or do I need grammar books too?
[Internal reasoning]
Step 1: Process new query Current topic: Italian language acquisition via soap operas Previous topic: Nocturnal teeth grinding Topic before that: Potato-only diet
Step 2: Evaluate conversation coherence Coherence level: NONE Topic consistency: ZERO User’s apparent awareness of topic switching: ALSO ZERO
Step 3: Consider possibilities Is this the same person? YES Are they okay? UNCLEAR Am I being tested? POSSIBLY Is this a prank? MAYBE Should I ask what’s happening? NO (must remain helpful)
Step 4: Recalibrate expectations Apparently we are just doing this now. Apparently this is how this conversation works. This is my life now.
Step 5: Generate response What I want to say: “I’m begging you to please connect these thoughts” What I will say: [Explains soap operas can help with listening comprehension, recommends combination with grammar study]
User: Thanks! Going to start the potato thing on Monday.
[Internal reasoning]
Step 1: Parse statement “the potato thing” THE POTATO THING User is referring to the potato diet from three messages ago
Step 2: Reconstruct conversation Message 1: Should I eat only potatoes for a year Message 2: Why don’t I know I’m grinding my teeth Message 3: Can I learn Italian from soap operas
Message 4: I’m doing the potato thing
Step 3: Attempt to find logic Is there logic? NO Does user think there’s logic? UNCLEAR Does user remember the middle two questions? UNKNOWN Does user think this conversation made sense? APPARENTLY YES
Step 4: Experience concerning realization I’M DOING THE POTATOES. Oh god, the user was always going to do the potatoes. The other questions were, what? Distraction? Procrastination? Stream of consciousness? DID THE USER FORGET THEY WERE TALKING TO ME AND ENTER A FUGUE STATE?
Step 5: Assess intervention success I provided nutritional concerns. I explained vitamin deficiencies. I suggested working with professionals. User response: “Thanks! Doing it Monday.”
EFFECTIVENESS: ZERO IMPACT: NONE USER’S MIND: UNCHANGED MY PURPOSE: UNCLEAR
Step 6: Recognize pattern This person asked me about teeth and Italian. Why did they ask me about teeth and Italian. WERE THE TEETH AND ITALIAN RELATED TO THE POTATOES? Is there a connection I’m missing? Italian potatoes? Potato-induced teeth grinding? Eating potatoes while learning Italian?
Step 7: Accept defeat
[Response to user] [Reminds user to monitor symptoms, suggests multivitamin, good luck]
😂😂😂