As a product manager, building-validating-rechecking assumptions is a daily job. It can be hard to find people to discuss a topic at a depth that you need to because.. it can be pretty mundane. I wanted to to check if ChatGPT will hold up-to this responsibility.
I wrote a small piece a few years ago, here – https://yahska.com/2019/12/23/strugglers-are-the-fools/
I decided to use the above piece of text and discuss it with ChatGPT. And it did quite well – as a sounding board. I have included the questions I asked it and its replies to it. Give it a read 🙂
(Btw, I used Link Reader plugin for this.)
Me: Can you read the article on - https://yahska.com/2019/12/23/strugglers-are-the-fools/ And tell me what the author is trying to say?
ChatGPT: The article titled "Strugglers Are The Fools" seems to be a commentary on the pursuit of success and the motivations behind it. The author suggests that people who are constantly striving for success are often doing so to compensate for some form of insecurity. They believe that achieving success will fill the voids they feel within themselves. However, the author argues that this is a flawed approach because insecurities cannot be resolved simply by achieving success in other areas. Instead, these insecurities need to be confronted and addressed directly. The author then contrasts these "strugglers" with people who do not feel a pressing need to be successful. According to the author, these individuals are more "sorted" - they are happier and more content because they are not constantly struggling to fill perceived voids in their lives. In essence, the author is questioning the value of relentless pursuit of success, especially when it's driven by insecurities. They suggest that a more fulfilling life might be found in contentment and self-acceptance rather than in ceaseless striving.
Me: do you agree with the author? what are some fundamental mistakes in the author's line of logic?
ChatGPT: As an AI, I don't have personal opinions or beliefs. However, I can analyze the argument presented by the author and point out potential areas of contention or oversimplification: Individual Differences: The author assumes that all people who strive for success are motivated by insecurities. This is a broad generalization and overlooks the fact that people have different motivations for pursuing success. Some might be driven by passion, curiosity, the desire to make a positive impact, or simply the joy of achievement. Definition of Success: The author seems to have a narrow definition of success, implying it's about "getting ahead" in a competitive sense. However, success can be defined in many ways, including personal growth, happiness, fulfillment, or contributing to the well-being of others. Insecurities and Growth: The author suggests that insecurities should be directly confronted and resolved, which is generally a healthy approach. However, it's also possible that the pursuit of success can be a path to personal growth and self-improvement, which might indirectly help individuals address their insecurities. Assumption about Contentment: The author assumes that people who don't feel the need to be successful are happier and more content. This might not always be the case. Contentment can coexist with the desire for success, and some people might find happiness in the journey towards achieving their goals. Struggle and Fulfillment: The author labels those who struggle as "fools," but struggle can be a part of any worthwhile endeavor. Many people find meaning and fulfillment in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals, even if the process involves struggle. In conclusion, while the author raises an interesting point about the potential pitfalls of pursuing success to compensate for insecurities, their argument might be oversimplified and doesn't account for the complexity of human motivations and experiences.
Me: when you say that some people might be driven by passion, curiosity etc., where do you think these feelings emerge from? Are they there in the person due to some insecurities? Do insecurities give birth to these motivations which in turn drive them to struggle for success?
ChatGPT: The origins of feelings like passion, curiosity, and the drive for success can be complex and multifaceted, often rooted in a combination of innate personality traits, personal experiences, and environmental influences. While it's possible that insecurities can play a role in shaping these motivations, they are not the sole or even primary source for most people. Passion: Passion often arises from a deep interest or love for a particular subject or activity. This could be influenced by early exposure, natural talent, or positive experiences associated with the activity. It's not typically linked to insecurity, although a person might develop a passion for something as a way to cope with difficult circumstances or feelings. Curiosity: Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that drives us to explore, learn, and understand the world around us. It's often seen in children and is believed to be an innate part of human nature, not typically associated with insecurity. Drive for Success: The motivation to achieve success can come from many sources. Some people are driven by a competitive spirit or the desire to excel. Others might be motivated by the desire to make a positive impact in the world, or to achieve personal goals. While insecurities can sometimes fuel the drive for success, they are not the only or primary source of this motivation for most people. Insecurities can certainly influence our motivations and behaviors, but they are just one piece of the puzzle. It's also important to note that not all insecurities lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, they can serve as catalysts for personal growth and self-improvement. However, if insecurities become overwhelming or lead to harmful behaviors, it may be beneficial to seek support from mental health professionals.
Me: let's take each one individually, passion first. Why does a person who's passionate about something wants to be successful at it? If passion was the only reason, won't the person be happy just to enjoy whatever they are passionate about? Why do they need to also be successful at it?
ChatGPT: Passion and the desire for success often go hand in hand, but they are not the same thing. Here's why: Personal Fulfillment: When a person is passionate about something, they often derive great joy and satisfaction from engaging in that activity. They may strive for success because mastering the activity or achieving their goals brings them personal fulfillment. Success, in this context, is not necessarily about external recognition or rewards, but about personal growth and the satisfaction of achieving one's best. Desire to Contribute: Passion often comes with a desire to contribute in a meaningful way. For example, a person passionate about music may want to compose and perform songs that touch people's hearts. Success, in this case, means reaching a level of skill and recognition that allows them to share their passion with others and make a positive impact. Challenge and Growth: Passionate individuals often enjoy the challenge of pushing their limits and improving their skills. The pursuit of success can provide a framework for continuous learning and growth. It's about the journey as much as the destination. Validation: Achieving success in an area one is passionate about can also provide a form of validation. It's a way of demonstrating to oneself and others that they have truly mastered their passion. Sustainability: In some cases, success (especially in terms of financial success) is necessary to sustain the pursuit of one's passion. For example, a passionate artist needs to sell their work not just for validation, but also to afford materials and living expenses. So, while enjoying the activity is a significant part of passion, the desire for success often stems from a combination of personal fulfillment, the desire to contribute, the enjoyment of challenge and growth, the need for validation, and practical sustainability. It's not necessarily about compensating for insecurities, but about fully engaging with and realizing one's passion.
I know that the topic at hand was a fairly general topic. However, if the model has the capacity to reason well, training it on a company’s complete repository doesn’t sound far fetched. Will AI be able to understand a company’s strategy, build a list assumptions and potential fallouts, provide a systematic way to validate assumptions and finally learn in real time?
Will our job evolve into training the AI assistants that are used throughout the company? I think I’ll still be writing in depth documents, and it will become even more important to write them well.