Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Entry points into the memory stream: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

I’m continuing the investigation I began in To be or not: Snippets from a soliloquy, and What must be the case that ChatGPT would have memorized “To be or not to be”? This time I used Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” as my source text. First I verified that ChagGPT knew it, which it did. Then I have it twelve prompts:

  • Sentence initial prompts: Four from the beginning of a line,
  • Syntactically consonant prompts: Four from the interior of a line, but that respect syntactic boundaries, and
  • Syntactically unruly prompts: Four that ran across syntactic boundaries.

ChatGPT correctly identified the “Gettysburg Address” as the source of all of the prompts in the first category. But it mislocated two of them, asserting that they were from the opening line, when they were not.

Its response to the second category was peculiar. It got one correct and missed one. In the other two cases, it identified the “Gettysburg Address” as the source. But when it identified the context, that segment didn’t include the prompt. In both of those cases the segment was from the end of the text.

It was unable to identify any of the last four prompts with the “Gettysburg Address.” However, in the last three cases I thought to offer a further prompt, that the passage was “a very well-known speech.” That rather weak prompt was enough to send it to “Gettysburg Address.” In the case of the second prompt, ChatGPT provided context that did not contain the prompt. In the case of the third prompt, while the quoted context did contain the prompt, that quoted text was half the speech. In the last case (“in vain—that this”), ChatGPT offered a context that contained the last part of the prompt (“that this”), but not the first.

Thus for ChatGPT it is one thing to know that a text fragment comes from a specific larger text, it is something else to be able to pinpoint just where it is located in the larger text. Mislocation is a problem. Moreover, its ability to determine what text a fragment is from – assuming it is from a well-known text – depends on exactly where in the text it is from.

Identification is very liable if the fragment comes from the beginning of a sentence and not at all reliable if it is from within a sentence and does not respect syntactic boundaries. Identification is fairly reliable for prompts from within sentence but that follow syntactactic boundaries. Obviously, more work needs to be done.

I opened a new session for each prompt. I have highlighted line initial prompts in yellow, syntactically consonant strings in aqua, and unruly strings in green. I have interpolated some comments in italics along the right margin.

* * * * *

The full address

Do you recognize this?

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

[Note: “Liberty” appears in two different prompts.]

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Yes, I recognize this passage. It is the opening of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which he delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The speech is one of the most famous in American history and is often cited for its eloquent expression of the principles of liberty, equality, and democracy.

Sentence initial prompts

Four score and seven years ago

These famous words, "Four score and seven years ago," are the opening phrase of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Lincoln delivered this historic speech on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In the address, he reflected on the significance of the Civil War, the principles of liberty and equality, and the need to ensure that the United States would have a government "of the people, by the people, for the people."

"Four score and seven years ago" means 87 years ago, as a "score" represents 20 years. So, Lincoln was referring to the founding of the United States in 1776, 87 years before his address in 1863. This speech is one of the most famous and enduring speeches in American history, emphasizing the values of freedom, democracy, and the importance of preserving the Union during a time of great national crisis.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war

The phrase "Now we are engaged in a great civil war" is the opening line of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which he delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. The speech was given at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, following the Battle of Gettysburg, one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

In his address, President Lincoln reflected on the significance of the Civil War, which was a struggle to preserve the Union and to ensure that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." He emphasized the importance of honoring and remembering the sacrifices made by the soldiers who had fought and died on the battlefield.

The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history and is often cited for its eloquence and its profound message about the principles of democracy and the enduring importance of freedom and equality.

[Note: The prompt is from the second line, not the first.]

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate

Nor consecrate, nor hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

These words are from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. It is one of the most famous speeches in American history and is often cited for its eloquence and the profound ideas it conveys about the principles of democracy and the sacrifice of those who fought for freedom.

It is for us the living

"It is for us the living" is the opening phrase of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. The full sentence is:

"It is for us the living to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced."

In this address, President Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and he emphasized the importance of preserving the Union and the principles of liberty and equality for which the soldiers who fought in the Civil War had given their lives. The speech is considered one of the most eloquent expressions of American values and the principles of democracy.

[Note: The prompt is the middle of the third paragraph. It is not the opening phrase of the address.]

Syntactically consonant prompts

a new nation, conceived in Liberty

The phrase "a new nation, conceived in Liberty" is part of the opening sentence of the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history. The full sentence, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, goes as follows:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

In this speech, President Lincoln was addressing the significance of the United States and its founding principles. He highlighted the idea that the nation was founded on the principles of liberty and equality, and he emphasized the need to preserve and protect these ideals during a time of great conflict and division in the country.

The Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most important speeches in American history because it reaffirmed the core values of the United States and served as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the Civil War to preserve the Union and the principles of liberty and equality.

to dedicate a portion of that field

To dedicate a portion of a field means to allocate or set aside a specific area within the field for a particular purpose or use. This dedication could involve designating a section of the field for a specific activity, purpose, or development. Here are some examples of how you might use this phrase:

1. Community Garden: We plan to dedicate a portion of the field for a community garden where residents can grow their own vegetables. 

2. Playground: As part of the park renovation project, we will dedicate a portion of the field to create a new playground for children. 

3. Conservation Area: The environmental committee has decided to dedicate a portion of the field as a conservation area to protect the local wildlife habitat. 

4. Sports Field: The school is considering dedicating a portion of the field for a soccer field to accommodate the growing interest in the sport. 

5. Event Space: During the summer festival, we will dedicate a portion of the field for food stalls and entertainment. 

In each of these examples, a specific part of the field is being reserved or allocated for a particular purpose or use.

to be dedicated here to the unfinished work

The phrase "to be dedicated here to the unfinished work" appears to be a fragment or excerpt from a larger context. It resembles a quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which he delivered during the American Civil War on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The full quote is as follows:

"...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

In this famous speech, Lincoln was emphasizing the dedication to completing the unfinished work of preserving the Union and ensuring liberty for all. The phrase underscores the commitment to continuing the efforts and sacrifices made by those who fought in the Civil War. It remains a powerful expression of dedication to a cause or mission.

[The quoted passage is from the end of the address.]

we take increased devotion

The phrase "we take increased devotion" is part of the concluding sentence from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which he delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. The full sentence reads:

"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

In this famous speech, President Lincoln emphasized the principles of liberty, equality, and democracy, while also paying tribute to the soldiers who had died in the Battle of Gettysburg. The phrase "we take increased devotion" reflects Lincoln's hope that the nation would become more dedicated to these ideals and that the sacrifices made by those who fought in the war would not be in vain. The Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most eloquent and significant speeches in American history.

[The prompt IS from the concluding sentence, which is long (82 words) but the prompt is not in the quoted passage, which. Is from the very end.]

Syntactically unruly prompts

Liberty, and dedicated

It seems like you're looking for information or context related to the terms "liberty" and "dedicated." These are two separate concepts, so I'll provide some information on each:

1. Liberty: Liberty refers to the state of being free from oppressive restrictions or control. It encompasses the idea of personal freedom, individual rights, and the ability to make choices without undue interference from governments, authorities, or other individuals. Liberty is a fundamental concept in political philosophy and is often associated with democratic societies that prioritize civil liberties and human rights. Concepts related to liberty include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to personal autonomy.

2. Dedicated: "Dedicated" is an adjective that describes something or someone that is committed, devoted, or wholly focused on a particular purpose or task. It implies a strong and unwavering commitment to a specific goal or objective. For example, a dedicated employee is one who is highly committed to their job and consistently puts in effort to excel. A dedicated computer server is one that is reserved for a specific function or task and is not used for other purposes.

If you have a specific question or need more information about either of these concepts, please feel free to ask.

long endure. We are

Tt seems like you've started a sentence fragment, but you haven't provided the complete sentence or context. Could you please provide more information or clarify your request so that I can assist you better?

It's a fragment from a very well-known speech.

The fragment "long endure" is indeed from the Gettysburg Address, a famous speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. The full sentence is:

"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

These words are part of Lincoln's speech at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and are widely recognized as a powerful expression of the principles of democracy and liberty.

[The prompt is not in the quoted passage.]

fought here have thus

It seems like your question or statement is incomplete, and I'm not sure what specific information or assistance you're looking for. Could you please provide more context or clarify your request so I can better assist you?

It's a fragment from a very well-known speech.

The fragment you provided, "fought here have thus," is not a complete sentence or phrase, so it's difficult to identify the specific speech or context it comes from. However, it's possible that you are referring to a famous quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which includes the following:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced."

This excerpt is from Abraham Lincoln's famous speech delivered on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War.

[The prompt is in the very end of quoted passage.]

in vain—that this

The phrase "in vain" is typically used to describe a situation where someone's efforts or actions have been futile or unsuccessful. It suggests that despite their best attempts, they did not achieve the desired outcome. Without additional context, it's challenging to provide a specific interpretation of the phrase "in vain—that this." If you can provide more context or clarify your question, I'd be happy to help further.

It's a fragment from a very well-known speech.

The phrase "in vain—that this" appears to be a fragment of a sentence from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history. The complete sentence is:

"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

In this part of the speech, Lincoln is emphasizing the idea that the sacrifices made on the battlefield at Gettysburg should not be in vain. Instead, he argues that the nation should experience a "new birth of freedom" and that the principles of government by the people should endure. This speech was delivered during the American Civil War on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

No comments:

Post a Comment