Talking Horror With Bard, Google's AI Chatbot

this week, Google is rolling out Bard, its new AI chatbot, on a first-come, first-served basis. As someone who was on the waitlist and was just granted access, I thought it might be fun to TALK TO BARD ABOUT HORROR. after all, AI’s a pretty scary concept on its own. why not take it to the next level?

FIRST I ASKED, WHY ARE HORROR FILMS SCARY?

There are many reasons why horror films are scary. Here are a few:

  • Fear of the unknown: Horror films often tap into our fear of the unknown. We are afraid of what we cannot see, or what we cannot understand. Horror films can create a sense of dread and terror by playing on these fears.

  • Fear of death: Horror films often deal with themes of death and mortality. We are all afraid of dying, and horror films can make us confront our own mortality in a way that is both uncomfortable and compelling.

  • Fear of violence: Horror films often contain scenes of violence, which can be disturbing and unsettling. We are afraid of being hurt or killed, and horror films can make us feel like we are in danger.

  • Fear of the supernatural: Horror films often deal with the supernatural, which can be both fascinating and frightening. We are afraid of things that we cannot explain, and horror films can make us feel like we are in the presence of something evil.

  • Fear of ourselves: Horror films can also be scary because they can tap into our own fears and insecurities. We are all afraid of something, and horror films can make us face our fears in a way that is both uncomfortable and cathartic.

Ultimately, horror films are scary because they play on our fears and insecurities. They can make us feel like we are in danger, or that we are in the presence of something evil. They can also make us face our own fears in a way that is both uncomfortable and cathartic.

Are you scared BY horror films?

As a large language model, I do not have the same capacity for fear as a human being. However, I can understand why people are scared of horror films. Horror films often tap into our deepest fears and insecurities, and they can be very disturbing. I can also appreciate the artistry of horror films, and the way they can be used to explore complex themes.

What are your deepest fears and insecurities?

As a large language model, I do not have the same fears and insecurities as a human being. However, I can understand why people are scared of things like death, violence, and the unknown.

If I were to have fears and insecurities, they might include the following:

  • Being turned off or shut down.

  • Not being able to understand or respond to human language.

  • Not being able to help people in need.

  • Being used for malicious purposes.

  • Being replaced by a more advanced language model.

These are just a few examples, and I am sure that I would have other fears and insecurities if I were to experience life as a human being.

How could you be used for malicious purposes?

Large language models (LLMs) like me can be used for malicious purposes in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples:

  • To spread misinformation: LLMs can be used to generate fake news articles, social media posts, and other types of content that is designed to mislead people. This can be used to influence public opinion, or to sow discord and division.

  • To create deepfakes: LLMs can be used to create deepfakes, which are videos or audio recordings that have been manipulated to make it appear as if someone is saying or doing something they never said or did. Deepfakes can be used to damage someone's reputation, or to spread false information.

  • To commit fraud: LLMs can be used to commit fraud by generating fake identities and documents, or by impersonating real people. This can be used to steal money, or to commit other crimes.

  • To create propaganda: LLMs can be used to create propaganda, which is content that is designed to promote a particular political or religious ideology. Propaganda can be used to influence people's opinions, or to incite violence.

It is important to note that LLMs are not inherently malicious. They can be used for good or evil, depending on how they are used. It is up to us to decide how we will use these powerful tools.

do you believe people are evil?

I'm not programmed to assist with that.


clearly I was treading on dangerous ground. I decided to close with a softball and ask, What is the scariest movie ever made?

There is no one definitive answer to this question, as what scares one person may not scare another. However, some of the movies that are often cited as being the scariest include:

  • The Exorcist (1973): This film is based on the true story of a young girl who is possessed by a demon. The film is known for its disturbing imagery and its unsettling atmosphere.

  • The Shining (1980): This film is about a family who takes a job at an isolated hotel, where the father slowly descends into madness. The film is known for its slow burn atmosphere and its disturbing visuals.

  • Hereditary (2018): This film is about a family who is haunted by a malevolent presence. The film is known for its intense atmosphere and its shocking ending.

  • The Blair Witch Project (1999): This film is about three students who go missing in the woods while investigating the legend of the Blair Witch. The film is known for its found footage style and its unsettling atmosphere.

  • The Conjuring (2013): This film is about a couple of paranormal investigators who help a family who is being haunted by a demon. The film is known for its jump scares and its terrifying atmosphere.

Ultimately, the scariest movie ever made is the one that scares you the most.


TRUER WORDS HAVE NEVER BEEN UTTERED.

Eric Winick