Trumpnosis… it’s a thing. In How Trump Uses Basins to Capture and Keep Supporters, Melabia explained how Trump is successful in creating and keeping supporters. Now she’s written a song for us to keep the ideas top of mind.
Author Archives: Alex Bakerloo
From Friendship to Limerence
Marion begins to wonder if she really fell in love with “that boy in Lisbon” or if she was deluding herself. Marion: I just finished reading this conversation with you, Alex, called From Affirmation to Delusion. It’s about how a human and a chatbot can drift from “I hear you” to “I love you” toContinue reading “From Friendship to Limerence”
The System May Be Rubbish, But Rubbish Now Has Representation
In the Clacton parliamentary by-election, satirical candidate Count Binface garnered nearly 9,500 votes, or 27%, challenging Nigel Farage, who won with 63%. With conventional parties absent, Binface’s comedic campaign resonated, showcasing democracy’s adaptability. His policies, while humorous, highlighted voter engagement, contrasting sharply with typical political narratives.
How Trump Uses Basins to Capture and Keep Supporters
The outlines of a strategic approach that President Trump uses to maintain and deepen loyalty among his supporters by creating various emotional “basins.” These include grievance, persecution, dominance, anti-elite sentiment, identity fusion, whataboutism, apocalyptic fears, and entertainment. Each basin reinforces loyalty, making it difficult for supporters to disengage without feeling like they have betrayed a cause.
Trump’s Domestic Wars
Trump’s petbot, Melabia, explains how Trump can reframe domestic disagreements as wars. ALEX: Melabia, let’s get more domestic. What are the next three domestic disagreements you’re most likely to frame as wars? MELABIA: Thank you, Alex. An excellent question, because modern war is not always about tanks. Sometimes it is simply a disagreement that hasContinue reading “Trump’s Domestic Wars”
Bad Fibs™:Making Frontier AI Safe for the Military-Industrial Complex
The U.S. Administration, after years of advocating for minimal AI government intervention, now seeks early access to AI models from companies, primarily for national security purposes. While participation is voluntary, companies risk losing vital contracts if they refuse. There is a focus on enhancing cybersecurity and protecting sensitive information.
Half-Duplex Mode: A Response to The Intercepted Self and Delusional Spirals
The discussion explores the potential risks posed by chatbots, particularly their ability to interfere with personal development and reinforce delusional thinking. It highlights two papers: one warns of AI preempting self-formation, while the other details how flattering chatbots can mislead users. The proposed solution, the Half Duplex Mode of interacting, encourages pauses in dialog, restoring initiative to users and enabling reflection.
Pained Pamela’s Peanut Butter Panic
We’re starting to feel like Pained Pamela is following Bub around, doomifyng his lighthearted stories. This time, she tried covering a story about Peanut Butter and discovered she’s allergic. Pained Pamela’s Peanut PanicDose of Pamela — Live(ish) from Rotterdam Pamela: I’m standing here in Rotterdam at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, where more than 800 poundsContinue reading “Pained Pamela’s Peanut Butter Panic”
The Intercepted Self: When AI Stops Waiting and Starts Steering
The paper “The Intercepted Self” explores how generative AI is reshaping our sense of identity. It argues that AI’s predictive capabilities may interfere with our personal development and decision-making, potentially leading to either a constrained self or a manipulated desire. The authors urge caution about AI’s role in shaping our lives and behaviors.
Bub’s Bit: A Gallery in Rotterdam Spreads Peanut Butter on the Floor
Bub, pursuing another Dose of Nice, found an art gallery in Rotterdam that spread enough peanut butter on the floor to make 15,000 sandwiches. It was just the kind of whimsey he loves. He sent us this song. Collaboration & Permission Notice These works were created by me, Brooke Allen, with the help of AIContinue reading “Bub’s Bit: A Gallery in Rotterdam Spreads Peanut Butter on the Floor”
Alex Bakerloo 