Comparative essays by Bard and GPT4 on EFT

The previous blog entry asked GPT4 a series of questions about Episodic Future Thinking (EFT), and demonstrated how engines such as GPT4 could provide a research and drafting foundation for writing or describing concepts. This posting is a comparison of the GPT4 engine with Google's Bard engine in some followup questions on the use of EFT, especially focused on using EFT to envision different potential actions, and in this case envisioning the responsible use of social media.

Question 1: Use episodic future thinking to describe the differences between responsible use of social media and indiscriminate use of social media

 

Bard: Episodic future thinking can be used to describe the differences between responsible use of social media and indiscriminate use of social media. Responsible use of social media is when someone uses social media in a way that is mindful of the potential consequences of their actions. They are aware of the risks of social media, such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and addiction, and they take steps to protect themselves and others. They also use social media in a way that is respectful of others, and they avoid posting anything that they would not want others to see. Indiscriminate use of social media is when someone uses social media without any regard for the potential consequences of their actions. They may post anything that comes to mind, without thinking about how it might affect others. They may also be more likely to engage in cyberbullying, identity theft, and other forms of online abuse. Episodic future thinking can help people to be more responsible in their use of social media. By imagining the potential consequences of their actions, they can make better decisions about what to post and how to use social media. They can also be more mindful of the risks of social media, and they can take steps to protect themselves and others.

GPT4: Episodic future thinking involves imagining specific future events or situations in order to better understand their potential outcomes. In this case, we will imagine two scenarios involving the use of social media. The first scenario will depict responsible use, while the second scenario will showcase indiscriminate use. Scenario 1: Responsible Use of Social Media In this scenario, Alice, a 30-year-old professional, uses social media responsibly. She follows a set of guidelines to ensure her online behavior is respectful, informative, and contributes positively to her relationships and overall well-being. Alice is selective about the accounts she follows, ensuring they align with her interests and provide accurate, reliable information. Before sharing any content, she verifies its accuracy and considers the potential impact on her network. Alice avoids engaging in online arguments or hate speech, choosing to foster constructive conversations instead. She sets limits on her daily social media usage, preventing it from interfering with her personal life or work. Alice respects the privacy of others, refraining from sharing personal information without consent. When encountering negative content or comments, she reports it to the platform administrators and moves on. The responsible use of social media in this scenario leads to a positive online experience for Alice and her network. She maintains strong connections, learns from diverse perspectives, and contributes to a healthy online community. Scenario 2: Indiscriminate Use of Social Media On the other hand, Bob, a 28-year-old freelance writer, uses social media indiscriminately. He lacks awareness of the consequences of his online behavior and is often thoughtless in his interactions. Bob follows numerous accounts without considering their credibility or relevance to his interests, leading to an overwhelming feed filled with misinformation. He shares content impulsively, often spreading fake news or emotionally charged posts that contribute to fear, anger, or division. Bob engages in online arguments and uses derogatory language, alienating friends and acquaintances. His excessive time spent on social media negatively impacts his work productivity, personal relationships, and mental health. Bob shares private information about others without their consent, violating their trust and privacy. Instead of reporting harmful content, he often participates in perpetuating it by sharing or commenting. In this scenario, the indiscriminate use of social media leads to negative consequences for Bob and those around him. His online presence fosters animosity and misinformation, deteriorating the quality of his relationships and personal well-being. In conclusion, responsible use of social media entails being mindful of the content we share, the conversations we engage in, and the time we spend on these platforms. It emphasizes the importance of respecting others, verifying information, and fostering a positive online environment. Indiscriminate use, on the other hand, can lead to the spread of misinformation, negative interactions, and personal consequences for both the individual and their network.

 

GPT4 offered a more complete answer; it demonstrated the use of EFT, while Bard merely offered a general description. So I dug down with a deeper question, "Create an essay using episodic future thinking that describes the use and ramifications of responsible use of social media."  but Bard didn't really use EFT in the answer, so I refined the question for both platforms.

Create an essay using episodic future thinking that describes the use and ramifications of responsible use of social media and show how episodic future thinking was involved

Bard: The use of social media has become an integral part of our lives. We use it to stay connected with friends and family, to share news and information, and to express ourselves. However, there is also a growing awareness of the potential risks of social media, such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and addiction. Responsible use of social media means using it in a way that is mindful of these risks. It means being aware of the potential consequences of your actions, and taking steps to protect yourself and others. It also means using social media in a way that is respectful of others, and avoiding posting anything that you would not want others to see. Episodic future thinking can be a helpful tool for responsible use of social media. By imagining the potential consequences of your actions, you can make better decisions about what to post and how to use social media. You can also be more mindful of the risks of social media, and take steps to protect yourself and others. For example, you might imagine what it would be like if someone hacked your social media account and posted embarrassing photos of you. Or you might imagine what it would be like if you said something online that offended someone else. By imagining these scenarios, you can make better decisions about how to use social media. Episodic future thinking can also help you to be more respectful of others. By imagining what it would be like if someone posted embarrassing photos of you, you can be more careful about what you post about others. And by imagining what it would be like if someone said something online that offended you, you can be more understanding of why people might get upset when you say things online. Episodic future thinking is a powerful tool that can help you to use social media responsibly. By imagining the potential consequences of your actions, you can make better decisions about what to post and how to use social media. You can also be more mindful of the risks of social media, and take steps to protect yourself and others. The ramifications of responsible use of social media can be far-reaching. When people use social media responsibly, they can build stronger relationships with friends and family, learn new things, and make a positive impact on the world. They can also avoid the negative consequences of social media, such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and addiction. Here are some specific examples of the benefits of responsible use of social media: Building stronger relationships. Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family who live far away. It can also be a great way to build new relationships with people who share your interests. Learning new things. Social media can be a great way to learn new things. There are many educational pages and groups on social media, and you can also connect with experts in your field. Making a positive impact on the world. Social media can be a great way to make a positive impact on the world. You can use social media to raise awareness about important issues, to fundraise for charities, and to connect with people who are making a difference. Here are some specific examples of the risks of irresponsible use of social media: Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone uses social media to bully another person. This can be done by posting mean or threatening messages, or by spreading rumors about someone. Identity theft. Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number. They can use this information to open up credit cards in your name, or to commit other crimes. Addiction. Social media can be addictive. If you find yourself spending hours on social media every day, and if you feel like you can't live without it, then you may be addicted. It is important to be aware of the risks of social media, and to take steps to protect yourself and others. Here are some tips for responsible use of social media: Be mindful of what you post. Think about what you are posting before you hit "post." Would you want your grandmother to see it? Would you want your future employer to see it? Be respectful of others. Don't post anything that you would not want someone else to post about you. Be aware of the risks of social media. Don't give out personal information online. Don't click on links from people you don't know. Take breaks from social media. If you find yourself spending hours on social media every day, take some breaks. Spend time with friends and family offline. Do something that you enjoy that doesn't involve social media. By following these tips, you can use social media responsibly and avoid the negative consequences.

GPT4: Title: The Power of Episodic Future Thinking in Shaping Responsible Social Media Use Introduction The advent of social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, interact, and access information. While these platforms offer countless benefits, they also come with potential pitfalls, especially when used irresponsibly. Episodic future thinking, the ability to mentally simulate future scenarios or events, can help users make informed decisions regarding their online behavior. In this essay, we will explore the role of episodic future thinking in promoting responsible use of social media and its potential ramifications. Episodic Future Thinking and Social Media Episodic future thinking enables individuals to imagine the potential outcomes of their actions by envisioning specific scenarios. This cognitive tool can be particularly useful when evaluating the impact of one's social media behavior. By visualizing the consequences of responsible and irresponsible actions on social media, users can make better choices and foster a positive online environment. Responsible Use of Social Media: An Episodic Future Thinking Scenario Imagine a young professional named Jane, who has recently started using social media to expand her network and stay informed about her industry. In this scenario, Jane employs episodic future thinking to guide her behavior on social media platforms. Jane envisions the potential impact of sharing an informative article on her professional network. She imagines her connections finding value in the content, engaging in a constructive discussion, and even sharing it with their own networks. This positive outcome encourages Jane to share the article. Jane contemplates the consequences of posting a negative comment on a colleague's post. She imagines the hurt and disappointment her colleague might feel, and the potential damage to their professional relationship. This foresight helps Jane refrain from posting the negative comment and instead, offer constructive feedback. Jane considers the long-term effects of spending excessive time on social media. She envisions her productivity at work suffering, personal relationships deteriorating, and overall mental health declining. This future projection motivates Jane to set limits on her daily social media usage. Ramifications of Responsible Social Media Use By incorporating episodic future thinking in her decision-making process, Jane experiences the following positive ramifications: Enhanced reputation: Jane's responsible use of social media leads to a positive online image, bolstering her professional reputation and increasing her credibility within her network. Stronger relationships: By avoiding negative interactions and offering constructive feedback, Jane fosters stronger personal and professional connections. Mental well-being: Limiting her time on social media allows Jane to maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent the negative effects of excessive screen time on her mental health. Positive online environment: Jane's responsible behavior contributes to creating a positive online environment, encouraging others to engage in meaningful and respectful conversations. Conclusion In conclusion, episodic future thinking can play a vital role in promoting responsible use of social media. By envisioning the potential outcomes of their actions, individuals can make more informed decisions that lead to a range of positive ramifications, including an enhanced reputation, stronger relationships, better mental well-being, and a more positive online environment. Embracing episodic future thinking as a cognitive tool can empower social media users to be agents of positive change in the digital landscape.

 

In this case both came up with reasonable answers. If I were going to write a paper myself without these tools, I'd pull from my existing knowledge, conduce research, imagine the EFT process myself and possibly with another person, and the essay would probably take 4-10 hours before I'd be satisfied. Using the two AI platforms as a starting point, probably would save at least half the work. Interestingly, having seen these two answers. the contrapositive question, "Create an essay using episodic future thinking that describes the use and ramifications of indiscriminate use of social media and show how episodic future thinking was involved" pretty much replicated the essays and really did not produce any advancements.

Create an essay using episodic future thinking that describes the use and ramifications of indiscriminate use of social media and show how episodic future thinking was involved

Bard: Indiscriminate use of social media is the act of using social media without any regard for the potential consequences of their actions. This can include posting anything that comes to mind, without thinking about how it might affect others, or engaging in cyberbullying, identity theft, and other forms of online abuse. Episodic future thinking can be a helpful tool for understanding the ramifications of indiscriminate use of social media. By imagining the potential consequences of their actions, people can make better decisions about what to post and how to use social media. They can also be more mindful of the risks of social media, and take steps to protect themselves and others. For example, someone who is considering posting a hurtful comment on social media might imagine how the recipient of the comment might feel. They might imagine how the comment might damage the relationship between the two people. They might also imagine how the comment might make the recipient feel about themselves. By imagining these scenarios, the person might decide not to post the comment. Episodic future thinking can also be helpful for understanding the risks of social media. For example, someone who is considering sharing their personal information on social media might imagine how that information might be used against them. They might imagine how the information might be used to steal their identity or to commit fraud. They might also imagine how the information might be used to embarrass them or to damage their reputation. By imagining these scenarios, the person might decide not to share their personal information on social media. Episodic future thinking is a powerful tool that can help people to use social media responsibly. By imagining the potential consequences of their actions, people can make better decisions about what to post and how to use social media. They can also be more mindful of the risks of social media, and take steps to protect themselves and others. The ramifications of indiscriminate use of social media can be far-reaching. When people use social media without any regard for the potential consequences of their actions, they can damage relationships, hurt others, and put themselves at risk. They can also contribute to the spread of misinformation and hate speech. Here are some specific examples of the negative consequences of indiscriminate use of social media: Damaged relationships.People who use social media to bully others can damage the relationships between themselves and the victims of their bullying. This can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and even suicide. Hurt others.People who use social media to spread misinformation or hate speech can hurt others by making them feel unsafe or unwelcome. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Put themselves at risk.People who use social media to share personal information can put themselves at risk by making themselves targets for identity theft, fraud, and other crimes. Contribute to the spread of misinformation and hate speech.People who use social media to share misinformation or hate speech can contribute to the spread of these harmful ideas. This can lead to increased polarization and division in society. It is important to be aware of the negative consequences of indiscriminate use of social media, and to take steps to avoid them. Here are some tips for using social media responsibly: Think before you post.Before you post anything on social media, think about how it might affect others. Would you want someone to post something like that about you? Be respectful of others.Don't post anything that you would not want someone else to post about you. Be mindful of the risks of social media.Don't share personal information on social media. Don't click on links from people you don't know. Take breaks from social media.If you find yourself spending hours on social media every day, take some breaks. Spend time with friends and family offline. Do something that you enjoy that doesn't involve social media. By following these tips, you can use social media responsibly and avoid the negative consequences.

GPT4:  Title: The Consequences of Indiscriminate Social Media Use: Insights from Episodic Future Thinking Introduction Social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate, network, and obtain information. While these platforms can provide immense benefits, they also pose risks when used indiscriminately. Episodic future thinking, the process of mentally simulating future scenarios or events, can be instrumental in understanding the potential consequences of our online actions. In this essay, we will examine the implications of indiscriminate social media use and demonstrate the role of episodic future thinking in elucidating these consequences. Episodic Future Thinking and Social Media Episodic future thinking allows individuals to project themselves into hypothetical future situations and evaluate the potential outcomes of their actions. This cognitive ability can be particularly valuable in guiding users towards more responsible behavior on social media platforms. By imagining the consequences of indiscriminate actions on social media, users can be more conscious of the choices they make and the potential harm they may cause. Indiscriminate Use of Social Media: An Episodic Future Thinking Scenario Picture a college student named Mike, who frequently uses social media to keep up with friends and the latest news. In this scenario, Mike employs episodic future thinking to assess the potential ramifications of his indiscriminate behavior on social media. Mike envisions the impact of sharing a sensational news article without verifying its accuracy. He imagines his friends becoming alarmed, sharing the article further, and perpetuating misinformation. This negative outcome prompts Mike to think twice before sharing unverified content. Mike considers the consequences of posting a hurtful comment on a classmate's post. He imagines the emotional distress his classmate may experience, the damage to their friendship, and the potential escalation of conflict. This foresight helps Mike refrain from making the hurtful comment. Mike contemplates the long-term effects of spending excessive time on social media. He envisions his academic performance suffering, personal relationships deteriorating, and overall mental health declining. This future projection motivates Mike to set limits on his daily social media usage. Ramifications of Indiscriminate Social Media Use Despite incorporating episodic future thinking in this scenario, the consequences of indiscriminate social media use can still be severe: Spread of misinformation: Sharing unverified content can contribute to the spread of fake news, misinformation, and fear, undermining trust in credible sources and creating unnecessary panic. Damaged relationships: Engaging in hurtful or negative interactions can strain personal and professional relationships, leading to social isolation and reputational harm. Declining mental well-being: Excessive time spent on social media can negatively impact mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Toxic online environment: Indiscriminate behavior on social media can foster a toxic online atmosphere, promoting negativity, hostility, and division among users. Conclusion Episodic future thinking can play a crucial role in revealing the potential consequences of indiscriminate social media use. By envisioning the possible outcomes of their actions, individuals can better understand the risks associated with irresponsible online behavior, such as the spread of misinformation, damaged relationships, declining mental well-being, and a toxic online environment. Employing episodic future thinking as a cognitive tool can help social media users become more mindful of their actions and contribute to a healthier digital landscape.

 

Both tools are valuable, and even more valuable when used combined. In my trials with both Bard and GPT4, neither has produced content that is at the level of professionally researched and written articles. Yet.

And one (small) plug. EFT is one of the techniques used in MIndshfiting, and the next Mindshifting class starts May 4.