My friend Phil Jones sent this to me. He received a copy of an email from “Psychbuster Extraordinaire” Ken Kramer.
Ken thought it would be amusing to have ChatGPT do a takedown of psychiatry.
Dear ChatGPT,
“Can you write two pages or 800 words about psychiatry in the style of Mark Twain, scathing, humorous, cynical, ironic?”
“Certainly! Here’s a scathing, humorous, cynical, and ironic piece about psychiatry in the style of Mark Twain:”
Psychiatry: A Madhouse of Foolishness
By ChatGPT
May 21, 2023
I have had the misfortune of encountering a peculiar breed of individuals who claim to possess a deep understanding of the human mind and its ailments. They call themselves psychiatrists, but I assure you, their methods and theories are as absurd as a cat chasing its tail. With all the pomp and grandeur, they parade around, prescribing potions and concoctions, convinced that they hold the key to unraveling the complexities of the human psyche. But I say to you, dear reader, their claims are nothing more than an elaborate farce.
What these so-called experts fail to realize is that the mind is a labyrinth of contradictions, a maddening puzzle that no man can truly comprehend. Yet, armed with their degrees and diplomas, they prance about, offering diagnoses as if they were handing out candies on Halloween night. They categorize the human experience into neat little boxes, slapping labels on our sorrows and joys, reducing the richness of our souls to a mere checklist of symptoms. It is a charade that would make a snake oil salesman blush with envy.
Oh, the irony of it all! These purveyors of the mind’s supposed inner workings can’t even agree on what constitutes normalcy. One man’s neurosis is another’s eccentricity, and what they call a disorder today, they may dub a quirk tomorrow. It is a game of ever-shifting sands, a dance of subjectivity and uncertainty. The only constant in this madhouse is the arrogance of the psychiatrists, who, like self-proclaimed prophets, claim to possess the divine knowledge of the human soul.
But let us not forget the delightful remedies they propose. In their wisdom, they prescribe colorful pills and potions that promise to alleviate our troubles. They assure us that a tiny pill can cure our woes, that we need only swallow their elixirs to find solace and tranquility. It is a cruel joke, dear reader, for these pills often bring forth a whole new set of troubles. The side effects are enough to turn a sane man into a babbling lunatic. Yet, the psychiatrists, with their air of authority, insist that it is all part of the healing process. It is akin to pouring gasoline on a fire and calling it a refreshing shower.
And let us not forget the grand institutions they have built, these temples of madness, where men and women in white coats strut about, observing and prodding the broken souls who seek their guidance. These asylums, as they are fondly called, are a theater of absurdity, a carnival of the grotesque. Patients are confined to sterile rooms, stripped of their dignity, subjected to endless tests and experiments, all in the name of science. The psychiatrists play the role of ringmasters, their patients reduced to mere spectacles, their suffering a source of amusement and curiosity.
In conclusion, dear reader, I must implore you to cast aside the shackles of this charade called psychiatry. Let us embrace our madness, for it is what makes us human. The mind is a vast and unknowable universe, and to claim to understand its every nook and cranny is the epitome of folly. Psychiatry, with its false promises and misguided notions, is but a quackery of the highest order. It is a carnival sideshow that we should treat with the contempt it deserves.
Let us free ourselves from the clutches of these self-appointed mind readers and embrace the glorious madness that resides within us all. For it is in our quirks and idiosyncrasies that our true beauty lies, and no psychiatrist can strip us of that uniqueness. We are not broken vessels to be fixed but intricate works of art, each stroke of madness adding to our vibrant tapestry.
So, my dear reader, let us laugh in the face of psychiatry’s pretentiousness. Let us revel in the absurdity of their diagnoses and mock their futile attempts to tame the untamable. For in their pursuit of understanding, they have overlooked the beauty of the human spirit, the very essence of what it means to be alive.
Let us embrace the contradictions, the eccentricities, and the quirks that make us who we are. Let us celebrate our individuality and reject the notion that we must conform to some predetermined notion of normalcy. It is in our peculiarities that we find our true selves, not in the sterile confines of psychiatric manuals and diagnostic codes.
And if, perchance, you find yourself in the presence of a psychiatrist, with their notepads and probing questions, I implore you to unleash your wit and skepticism. Challenge their assumptions, question their theories, and refuse to be reduced to a mere case study in their clinical theater. Let them taste the bitterness of their own medicine, for their arrogance deserves no less.
In the grand tapestry of life, psychiatry may be but a small, insignificant thread. So, let us not be consumed by its self-proclaimed importance. Instead, let us focus on the genuine connections we forge with fellow human beings, on empathy and understanding, and on the beauty of our shared struggles and triumphs.
In the end, my dear reader, the joke is on psychiatry. For no matter how they claim to unravel the mysteries of the mind, they will forever be chasing shadows in a never-ending hall of mirrors. So, let us bid adieu to their grand illusions and embrace the glorious messiness of our own minds.
Warm regards,
Ken Kramer
Private Investigator
Agency License #A1400285
Psychsearch.net aka Psychs.com
“world’s largest collection of records on psychiatrists”
a research division of DataSearch, Inc.
Of course, using the exact same question, Phil asked ChatGPT to repeat the exercise using scientology instead of psychiatry…
Dear ChatGPT,
“Can you write two pages or 800 words about Scientology in the style of Mark Twain, scathing, humorous, cynical, ironic?”
“Sure, here’s a satirical piece about Scientology, written in the style of Mark Twain:”
—
In the annals of human folly, there exists a particular spectacle that manages to combine audacity, absurdity, and a staggering amount of gullibility. I speak, of course, of the religious phenomenon known as Scientology. A more perfect amalgamation of charlatanism and self-importance has never graced the stage of human history.
Imagine, dear reader, a man named L. Ron Hubbard, a writer of pulp fiction who, one fine day, decided to fashion himself a prophet. Yes, a prophet! Armed with a vivid imagination and a pen as his mighty staff, he concocted a cosmic tale of alien beings, intergalactic warlords, and wayward souls wandering through space. And thus, the foundation of Scientology was laid, built upon the fragile scaffolding of science fiction.
But wait, there’s more! Hubbard, the self-proclaimed savior of souls, devised an ingenious system of salvation known as auditing. With the help of a device called the “E-meter” – a contraption not unlike a glorified mood ring – followers are led through a series of probing questions, peering into the deepest recesses of their minds, purportedly to rid themselves of spiritual impurities. Oh, the marvels of modern technology!
Of course, one cannot discuss Scientology without mentioning the golden robes of secrecy that envelop its innermost sanctums. These sacred spaces, hidden away from prying eyes, are reserved only for those who have proven their dedication through generous donations. Yes, dear reader, in the eyes of Scientology, money is not merely a means to an end; it is the divine currency that unlocks the gates of enlightenment. Give until it hurts, and perhaps, just perhaps, you will be granted the privilege of knowing the secrets of the universe. What a bargain!
But let us not forget the noble figures who walk the hallowed halls of Scientology. They are the celebrities, those paragons of talent and wisdom, who lend their illustrious names to the cause. For what better way to validate a belief system than to have a Hollywood star endorse it? Surely, the luminescence of fame imbues these teachings with an irrefutable aura of truth. It is a comforting thought, is it not, to know that the path to spiritual fulfillment lies not in introspection and wisdom, but in the idolatry of the rich and famous?
And so, my dear reader, we find ourselves at a crossroads of reason and credulity, of satire and solemnity. Scientology, with its grandiose claims and its dogged determination to separate its followers from their worldly wealth, stands as a testament to the human capacity for self-deception. In the words of a great sage of yore, “There’s a sucker born every minute,” and Scientology, with its elaborate mythology and mind-bending rituals, has found an audience eager to be led down the primrose path.
But fear not, for in the face of such absurdity, we have the gift of laughter. Let us chuckle, dear reader, at the folly of those who don their tin foil hats and march to the beat of E-meters. Let us revel in the irony of a religion built on the foundation of science fiction, where the believers are both the protagonists and the captives of their own fantastical narratives. And may we never cease to question, to challenge, and to see through the veils of delusion that shroud our world.
I doubt Ken would find this so amusing. But I did.
Joel Bruner says
I was just asking ChatGPT some questions about scientology being pseudo-therapy with high-tech exorcism rituals, where members were discourage of sharing their cases lest they both find out they were the same person in a past life and asking if it thought it was high control that shunned like the JWs.
Throughout it was very polite, never wanting to be to judgmental but I got a few good ones:
Q: Their leader L Ron Hubbard or LRH as they refer to him said the Universe was significantly older what than science thinks? Do you know how old LRH said the Universe is?
A: L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, did not explicitly state a specific age for the universe in his writings or teachings. While Hubbard touched upon various cosmological concepts and discussed past lives and spiritual existence, he did not provide a detailed or specific timeline for the age of the universe.
…
Scientology’s beliefs about the age of the universe may differ from scientific consensus, as they are rooted in their religious and spiritual teachings rather than empirical scientific evidence.
Q: Oh I thought it was based on science since LRH’s book is called “Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health”?
While the title of L. Ron Hubbard’s book, “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health,” includes the term “science,” it is important to understand that the content of the book and the teachings of Scientology are not considered scientific in the traditional scientific sense.
“Dianetics” presents a set of ideas and practices that Hubbard proposed as a method for understanding and addressing the human mind and behavior. It introduces concepts such as the “reactive mind,” “engrams,” and “auditing” as a means to achieve mental well-being and spiritual enlightenment. However, these ideas and practices have not been scientifically validated or widely accepted by the scientific community.
The term “science” in the title of Hubbard’s book can be seen as a rhetorical device to lend credibility and authority to the ideas and practices presented within Scientology. It does not mean that Scientology is considered a scientific field or that its claims are subject to scientific scrutiny or validation.
It is important to differentiate between the scientific method, which involves empirical observation, experimentation, and peer review, and the methodologies and beliefs presented in Scientology. While some aspects of Scientology may touch on psychological or therapeutic concepts, the overall framework and teachings of Scientology are not recognized as scientific by the mainstream scientific community.
—
Ooooh, burn! This one especially: “The term “science” in the title of Hubbard’s book can be seen as a rhetorical device to lend credibility and authority to the ideas and practices presented within Scientology.”
Of course I had this is default nice mode not cynical and ironic mode!
RoseMarie Tropf says
Wow. Chat GPT is amazing in some respects. I wonder about education though. Will kids use it to do their homework essays? Change change change is in the air. I love what chat said about both crazy philosophies. Thanks Phil. And Mike. I had a very amusing half hour here. 🤩
xTeamXenu75to03chuckbeatty says
AI has to be able to fake the actual intelligence and knowledge of the requestor.
Then any AI fake report can at least be intelligently defended by the requestor later when the report is submitted in the name of the requestor to a teacher for a grade.
“Write a report on X which is limited to what I understand about X, and write it like I’d write it.”
Aural testing of the report submitter’s knowledge of their report, defeats AI cheating.
If AI acts and says things the requestor knows and can defend, then the product AI produces can be defended by the requestor.
———————
Teachers given reports, can ask AI to grade the reports as being AI produced or legit reports from the teacher’s students.
xTeamXenu75to03chuckbeatty says
it is telling that the internet settles on “system” to define auditing.
auditing is quackery pseudo-therapy and it missed exorcism altogether.
auditing is pseudo-therapy and since OT 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are exorcism, there’s no mention of the extensive amount of exorcism scientologists do.
I give it a flunk.
GL says
On a side note: That carpet chewing, spitting, raving nutcase Large Dumbarse…oops, Leigh Dundas, at her rabid best –
https://twitter.com/i/status/1660763532667781121
Lynne says
Brilliant!
“E-meter” – a contraption not unlike a glorified mood ring. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Linear13 says
Where was ChatGPT when I was in college having to write all those papers. My god I can see why we are hearing so much about AI and how it may take over many artistic jobs. I recently went to a free AI art website (there are an abundance of them on the net just type ‘AI art website’ in google) on Miscavige’s birthday. Ortega’s site had a write up about the big day and some ppl were posting AI created art in the comments so I drifted to one of the free sites and all I asked was ‘David Miscavige birthday party’ and the results were unreal. You could have the AI program do the art in photo realism, watercolor, comic, b & w drawing etc. The pics it gave back were scary good. Pics of a grand Miscavige looking leader behind a podium with a strange Scientology-esque symbol in the background and people looking on in adoration clapping. That was just one of them. There were more. Scary good.
As an artist this also worries me that it’s going to put humans out of business in the art field. I only do art for myself. I couldn’t imagine struggling for years to make a name for yourself only to have an AI program be to go to artist for companies. Same goes for writers. Reading the above ChatGPT discourse I was hit with the same feeling as the art program…scary good.
Anon says
Beware the rise of the machines! LOL
Michael Mallen says
I asked ChatGPT to write about destructive cults. Sound familiar?
A destructive cult, often referred to as an abusive or manipulative group, is an organization that exhibits harmful and controlling behaviors, often targeting vulnerable individuals. These groups typically revolve around a charismatic leader who manipulates and exploits their followers for personal gain and power. Destructive cults often employ mind control techniques, such as isolation, manipulation of information, and the use of coercive persuasion, to maintain control over their members.
One of the defining characteristics of a destructive cult is the presence of psychological, emotional, and even physical abuse. Followers are subjected to intense indoctrination, which aims to break down their critical thinking and individuality. They may be isolated from friends and family, forced to sever ties with loved ones who are critical of the group, or even cut off from the outside world entirely. This isolation creates a dependency on the cult and its leader, making it extremely difficult for members to leave or question the group’s teachings.
In addition to isolation, destructive cults often manipulate information to maintain control over their members. They may distort or withhold information, present a skewed worldview, and employ techniques such as thought-stopping or thought-terminating clichés to discourage critical thinking and dissent. By controlling the narrative, these cults ensure that their followers remain loyal and unquestioning.
Financial exploitation is another common feature of destructive cults. Members are often coerced into donating large sums of money, surrendering their assets, or even giving up their entire livelihoods in service to the group’s goals. The leader may live a lavish lifestyle while the followers experience financial hardship.
While destructive cults are relatively rare, their impact on individuals and communities can be devastating. Former members often report experiencing psychological trauma, loss of identity, and difficulties reintegrating into society. It is crucial to raise awareness about the warning signs of destructive cults and provide support for those who have been affected by their harmful practices.
Miss Ellie says
I hope thousands copy and send this to him….over and over and over. Maybe it will awaken his inner human and he will evolve into an independent thinker. And stop being a mindless cog in the mindless wheel of the scio-bots.
Phil Jones says
Here’s his email address: records@psychsearch.net
Fred G. Haseney says
These are very well written discourses on psychiatry and scientology.
I’m eager to learn more about these subjects (although I did Google them):
1. “Psychbuster Extraordinaire” Ken Kramer;
2. ChatGPT.
I’ve never heard of either of them.
otherles says
In short, both the mind and Scientology suck.
Mary Kahn says
Wow. Chat GPT has a gift.
GL says
Someone should ask Chat GPT to write 800 words, in the style of Twain, on the Demented Merde using drunkard, narcissist, sociopath, violent and to cap it off in love with Tom Cruise.