Cross-posted from New Savanna.

In my most recent piece for 3 Quarks Daily, Western Metaphysics is Imploding. Will We Raise a Phoenix from The Ashes? [Catalytic AI], I introduce what I’ve called The Macksey Game, named after my undergraduate teacher and mentor, Dick Macksey. Macksey was something of a polymath. It seemed like he’s read everydamnthing. No one has, of course, note even the Chatster – not everything that’s been written down is on the internet. But it seemed like it to me, coming from a small steel city in Western Pennsylvania, Johnstown.

Macksey had read a lot, and could call it up at will and often at the most unexpected times. He could ramble on from topic to topic in a way that fascinated me. Here’s how I put it in the 3QD piece:

I often thought that, if you picked any two topics, Macksey could create a bridge between the two in no more than five conceptual jumps. Quantum entanglement to Paul Bocuse, Ernest Shackleton to The Tale of Genji, Pareto efficiency to C. Elegans – leaps like that. I never tested it out, but it just seemed like the way Macksey’s mind worked.

And so The Macksey Game was born. I gave ChatGPT those three pairs of endpoints and asked it to construct a conceptual chain between the ends. I put the result into an appendix to the article. But of course I didn’t leave it at that. I had to tinker around.

That’s what this post is about, the original game and a bit of tinkering around. First, I present the first time through, just as I listed it in the 3QD piece. Then I offer some variations.

The Macksey Game: Queen to Newton

This is the first time I played the game. This is the version I appended to my 3 Quarks Daily article. As always, my prompt is in boldface while ChatGPT’s response is plainface.

_______

If someone asked me to make conceptual connections between, say, Queen Elizabeth and the Voyager spacecraft, I might do it like this:

1. Elizabeth was Queen of England, the home of Isaac Newton.
2. Newton was a physicist who formulated 3 laws of motion and the law of gravitation.
3. The laws of motion are important in understanding how rockets work.
4. The law of gravitation tells us how to track the motions of the planets and bodies moving through the solar system.
5. NASA used both the laws of motion and the law of gravitation in the Voyager mission.

I want you to do the same thing with, say, Quantum entanglement and Paul Bocuse. Construct a string of connections between them.

Certainly! Let's create conceptual connections between Quantum entanglement and Paul Bocuse:

1. Quantum Entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum physics where two or more particles become connected and correlated in such a way that the state of one particle directly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them.
2. The study of quantum mechanics and phenomena like entanglement involves understanding the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of particles at the quantum level.
3. Quantum mechanics has applications in various fields, including chemistry. The molecular structures and interactions in cooking, particularly in the creation of complex flavors and textures, are governed by principles rooted in quantum mechanics.
4. Paul Bocuse, a renowned French chef, was a pioneer in the culinary world known for his innovative approach to cooking and emphasis on the quality of ingredients.
5. In cooking, the flavors and textures of different ingredients can be intricately linked, much like entangled particles in quantum mechanics. Bocuse's culinary creations often involved the careful balance and interplay of various elements to create a harmonious and delightful dining experience.
6. Just as quantum entanglement involves the entwining of particles, Bocuse's approach to cuisine entwined diverse flavors and textures to elevate the overall culinary experience.

In this way, we can draw conceptual connections between Quantum entanglement and Paul Bocuse by exploring the underlying principles of quantum mechanics and how they manifest in the artistry of culinary creations.

How about Ernest Shackleton to The Tale of Genji.

Certainly! Let's create conceptual connections between Ernest Shackleton and "The Tale of Genji":

1. Ernest Shackleton was a renowned Anglo-Irish explorer best known for leading the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
2. During Shackleton's expeditions, he faced extreme conditions in Antarctica, navigating icy waters and challenging terrains.
3. "The Tale of Genji" is a classic Japanese work of literature written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, often considered one of the world's first novels.
4. Genji, the protagonist of the tale, is a nobleman who faces various challenges and adventures in the imperial court of Heian Japan.
5. While Shackleton's expeditions focused on the harsh conditions of the Antarctic, "The Tale of Genji" explores the intricate social and emotional landscapes of the Heian court.
6. Both Shackleton's Antarctic expeditions and "The Tale of Genji" involve tales of human resilience and the ability to navigate through challenging environments, whether physical or social.
7. Shackleton's leadership qualities, especially his ability to keep his crew motivated in the face of adversity, can be compared to the complex interpersonal relationships depicted in "The Tale of Genji."
8. Both narratives touch upon themes of isolation, survival, and the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome challenges.

By weaving these connections, we can draw parallels between Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic explorations and the timeless narrative of "The Tale of Genji," exploring themes of resilience, leadership, and the human experience in diverse environments.

One more: Pareto efficiency to C. Elegans.

Certainly! Let's create conceptual connections between Pareto efficiency and C. elegans: 

1. Pareto efficiency is an economic concept that describes a situation where it is impossible to make any party better off without making another party worse off. It represents an optimal allocation of resources where no one can be made better off without making someone else worse off.
2. In the world of economics, Pareto efficiency is often associated with the idea of maximizing overall welfare or utility.
3. C. elegans is a microscopic nematode worm widely used in biological research due to its simplicity and well-mapped nervous system.
4. The study of C. elegans has contributed significantly to understanding fundamental biological processes, including genetics and neurobiology.
5. In the context of Pareto efficiency, one can draw a parallel with the efficiency of biological systems. C. elegans, as a model organism, represents an efficient biological system that has evolved to optimize survival and reproduction in its environment.
6. The genetic and neural simplicity of C. elegans allows researchers to study fundamental principles of biology in an efficient and effective manner.
7. Just as Pareto efficiency seeks an optimal allocation of resources, the genetic and neural makeup of C. elegans can be considered an optimal allocation of biological components for its survival and reproduction.
8. Both concepts, Pareto efficiency in economics and the biological efficiency of C. elegans, involve the idea of optimization and achieving the best possible outcomes within given constraints.

By connecting these concepts, we can explore the notions of efficiency in different domains, drawing parallels between the economic concept of Pareto efficiency and the biological efficiency observed in the model organism C. elegans.

* * * * *

I noticed that ChatGPT’s connections seemed to have a distinct science-engineering quality. Perhaps it got that idea from the connecting chain in my prompt. I decided to give it another try using the same three pairs of endpoints, but with a different connecting chain in the prompt, one that went from Elizabeth to Shakespeare rather than Elizabeth to Newton.

Queen to Shakespeare

If someone asked me to make conceptual connections between, say, Queen Elizabeth and the Voyager spacecraft, I might do it like this:

1. Elizabeth was Queen of England during the time of Shakespeare.
2. Shakespeare wrote “The Tempest.”
3. A science fiction movie from 1956, “Forbidden Planet,” was loosely based on “The Tempest.”
4. A year after “Forbidden Planet” came out, the Russians launched “Sputnik,” thus initiating the space race.
5. NASA came into existence because of the space race, and it was NASA that flew the Voyager spacecraft.

I want you to do the same thing with, say, Quantum entanglement and Paul Bocuse. Construct a string of connections between them.

Certainly! Let's create a conceptual chain connecting Quantum entanglement and Paul Bocuse: 

1. Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum physics where two or more particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle directly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them.
2. Albert Einstein famously referred to this phenomenon as "spooky action at a distance," expressing skepticism about its implications.
3. Einstein, in addition to his contributions to physics, was known for his love of fine cuisine.
4. Paul Bocuse, a renowned French chef, was a pioneer of nouvelle cuisine, a culinary movement that emerged in France in the 1960s, emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
5. Nouvelle cuisine had a profound impact on the culinary world and influenced chefs globally, changing the way food was prepared and presented.
6. The globalization of culinary trends led to increased cultural exchange and collaboration across borders.
7. In the realm of quantum physics, the phenomenon of entanglement challenges our traditional understanding of locality and separability, highlighting the interconnected nature of particles.

In this conceptual chain, we've connected Quantum entanglement with Paul Bocuse through the influence of Einstein's skepticism on culinary trends, showcasing how seemingly disparate fields can be linked through unexpected connections.

How about Ernest Shackleton to The Tale of Genji.

Certainly! Let's create a conceptual chain connecting Ernest Shackleton and The Tale of Genji:

1. Ernest Shackleton was a renowned Antarctic explorer known for his expeditions to the South Pole, most notably the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914-1917.
2. During Shackleton's expeditions, he and his crew faced extreme conditions and challenges, including harsh weather and the struggle for survival in the Antarctic wilderness.
3. The challenges Shackleton and his crew encountered during their expeditions highlight the theme of resilience and the human spirit's capacity to endure adversity.
4. The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, is often considered the world's first novel and is set in the Heian period of Japan.
5. The Tale of Genji explores the complex relationships, emotions, and challenges faced by its characters, particularly the protagonist, Hikaru Genji.
6. Both Shackleton's expeditions and The Tale of Genji delve into the exploration of human resilience, the endurance of the human spirit, and the overcoming of challenges in different contexts.
7. The universality of these themes connects Shackleton's Antarctic expeditions with the timeless narrative of The Tale of Genji, illustrating how human experiences of resilience and perseverance resonate across different cultures and historical periods.

One more: Pareto efficiency to C. Elegans.

Certainly! Let's create a conceptual chain connecting Pareto efficiency and C. elegans:

1. Pareto efficiency, named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, refers to a state of resource allocation where it is impossible to make any individual better off without making at least one individual worse off.
2. The concept of Pareto efficiency is widely used in economics and game theory to analyze and optimize resource allocation in various contexts.
3. The field of economics often intersects with biology and neuroscience, as the efficient allocation of resources is crucial for the survival and adaptation of living organisms.
4. C. elegans, or Caenorhabditis elegans, is a nematode worm often used as a model organism in biological research due to its simple and well-defined nervous system.
5. The study of C. elegans has provided valuable insights into neuroscience and genetics, offering a model to understand the functioning of neural circuits and genetic pathways.
6. In the context of Pareto efficiency, the efficient allocation of resources within the biological systems of organisms like C. elegans is essential for their survival and reproductive success.
7. By understanding the principles of resource allocation in both economic and biological systems, researchers can gain insights into optimizing efficiency, whether in terms of economic productivity or the adaptive strategies of living organisms.

In this conceptual chain, Pareto efficiency serves as a bridge between economic principles and the study of resource allocation in the context of C. elegans, showcasing the interdisciplinary connections between economics and biology.

* * * * *

Upon quick examination by hypothesis didn’t seem born-out by this new set of chains. But I didn’t attempt a close analysis. Moreover, I should have repeated using the original prompt in a new session to see how closely ChatGPT’s performance in the new session matched its performance in the first session. Did it make the same kind of connections?

Rather than do the repeat session, I decided to do a new session in which I permuted the terms in the pairs.

Permuted terms

Here are my original pairs:

Quantum entanglement to Paul Bocuse, 
Ernest Shackleton to The Tale of Genji, 
Pareto efficiency to C. Elegans.

Here are my permuted pairs:

Quantum entanglement to Ernest Shackleton
The Tale of Genji to C. Elegans.
Pareto efficiency to Paul Bocuse

* * * * *

If someone asked me to make conceptual connections between, say, Queen Elizabeth and the Voyager spacecraft, I might do it like this:

1. Elizabeth was Queen of England during the time of Shakespeare.
2. Shakespeare wrote “The Tempest.”
3. A science fiction movie from 1956, “Forbidden Planet,” was loosely based on “The Tempest.”
4. A year after “Forbidden Planet” came out, the Russians launched “Sputnik,” thus initiating the space race.
5. NASA came into existence because of the space race, and it was NASA that flew the Voyager spacecraft.

I want you to do the same thing with, say, Quantum entanglement and Ernest Shackleton. Construct a string of connections between them.

Certainly! Let's create a conceptual chain connecting Quantum entanglement and Ernest Shackleton:

1. Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum physics where particles become interconnected, influencing each other's states regardless of distance.
2. Albert Einstein referred to entanglement as "spooky action at a distance," expressing skepticism about its implications.
3. Einstein, known for his contributions to physics, had a deep interest in the natural world and exploration.
4. Ernest Shackleton, a renowned Antarctic explorer, led expeditions to the South Pole, facing extreme conditions and challenges.
5. Shackleton's expeditions involved navigating through the Earth's magnetic field and studying the effects of magnetism on compass readings in the polar regions.
6. Quantum entanglement involves the interconnected states of particles, a concept related to the study of quantum states and properties, including magnetic properties.
7. The exploration of magnetic phenomena and interconnected states in both quantum physics and Shackleton's expeditions creates a conceptual link, highlighting the interconnected nature of physical phenomena at different scales.

In this conceptual chain, we connect Quantum entanglement with Shackleton's expeditions through the common thread of interconnectedness, drawing parallels between the study of particle states and magnetic phenomena in quantum physics and the challenges faced by Shackleton in the exploration of the Earth's polar regions.

How about The Tale of Genji to C. Elegans.

Certainly! Let's create a conceptual chain connecting The Tale of Genji to C. elegans:

1. The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, is often considered the world's first novel, depicting the life and romantic relationships of its protagonist, Hikaru Genji, in the Heian period of Japan.
2. The novel explores intricate human relationships, emotions, and the complexities of court life in ancient Japan, providing a rich narrative that delves into the psychology and social dynamics of its characters.
3. The study of literature, including classics like The Tale of Genji, offers insights into the cultural and historical contexts of different societies.
4. The field of literature often intersects with interdisciplinary studies, including biology and genetics, as cultural practices and societal norms can influence the transmission of genetic information.
5. C. elegans, or Caenorhabditis elegans, is a nematode worm frequently used as a model organism in biological research due to its well-defined nervous system and simple anatomy. 6. Researchers study C. elegans to understand fundamental biological processes, including neural development, behavior, and genetic pathways.
7. By bridging the gap between literature and biology, the conceptual connection arises through the exploration of societal influences on genetic transmission and the study of complex behaviors, drawing parallels between the intricate relationships depicted in The Tale of Genji and the genetic and behavioral studies conducted on C. elegans.

In this conceptual chain, we connect The Tale of Genji to C. elegans by exploring the intersection of literature and biology, emphasizing the potential insights gained from understanding cultural and societal influences on genetic and behavioral phenomena.

Another one: Pareto efficiency to Paul Bocuse.

Certainly! Let's create a conceptual chain connecting Pareto efficiency to Paul Bocuse:

1. Pareto efficiency, named after economist Vilfredo Pareto, is a concept in economics that describes a state of resource allocation where no individual can be made better off without making someone else worse off.
2. Pareto efficiency is often applied in the context of optimizing resource allocation and distribution to maximize overall welfare.
3. Efficient resource allocation is a key consideration in the culinary world, where chefs aim to use ingredients effectively to create flavorful and aesthetically pleasing dishes.
4. Paul Bocuse, a renowned French chef, was a pioneer of nouvelle cuisine, a culinary movement emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
5. Nouvelle cuisine sought to optimize the use of ingredients, focusing on simplicity and enhancing natural flavors to create a more balanced and enjoyable dining experience.
6. Bocuse's culinary philosophy aligns with the idea of efficient resource allocation in the kitchen, where each ingredient plays a crucial role in the overall composition of a dish.
7. The connection between Pareto efficiency and Paul Bocuse lies in the shared principle of optimizing resources – whether in the allocation of goods and services in economics or the selection and preparation of ingredients in the culinary arts.

In this conceptual chain, we connect Pareto efficiency with Paul Bocuse by exploring the common theme of resource optimization, showcasing how principles from economics can be conceptually linked to culinary philosophies emphasizing efficient and thoughtful ingredient use.

List the concepts in all six chains

Finally, I asked it to list all the concepts it covered in the chains in this session.

________

We’ve now created six conceptual chains in this session, connecting six pairs of concepts. I want you to go through the whole list, all the links in all the chains, and create one list containing all the different concepts, but without any repeats. Can you do that?

Certainly! Here is a consolidated list of all the different concepts without any repeats from the six conceptual chains:

1. Queen Elizabeth
2. Voyager spacecraft
3. Shakespeare's "The Tempest"
4. "Forbidden Planet" (1956 sci-fi movie)
5. Russian launch of "Sputnik"
6. Space race
7. NASA
8. Quantum entanglement
9. Ernest Shackleton
10. Antarctica
11. Paul Bocuse
12. Pareto efficiency
13. Albert Einstein
14. C. elegans (Caenorhabditis elegans)
15. The Tale of Genji (novel by Murasaki Shikibu)
16. Vilfredo Pareto
17. Nouvelle cuisine
18. Genetics
19. Human relationships
20. Economic resource allocation
21. Interdisciplinary studies
22. Literature
23. Culinary arts
24. Behavioral studies
25. Welfare maximization

This list includes all the unique concepts connected in the six conceptual chains provided during this session.

* * * * * 
 

I notice that it included the terms and chains in my prompt, which I’d not asked it for. Beyond this, I took a careful look through the concepts ChatGPT listed and decided that I wasn’t sure what I was looking and that a careful analysis, at this time, would require more thought and effort than I was prepared to expend. The crucial question: Just what counts as a concept in this kind of task and how do you identify and delimit them? That’s not at all clear to me.

I suspect, however, that the way to begin is to work out a provisional conceptual ontology that covers all the terms in the source pairs and then follow ChatGPT’s connecting chains through that ontology. See the following working paper: ChatGPT's Ontological Landscape: A Working Paper, https://www.academia.edu/108791178/ChatGPTs_Ontological_Landscape_A_Working_Paper.