Discover more from My Gaia
A Golden-crowned Kinglet was watching me with such keen attention that it made me feel in the presence of a bright intelligence.
The little bird was peering from a low branch. It wore golden slippers! Not bright yellow, like the top of the bird’s head, but deep, rich, gold feet.
Those feet stole my attention. In the past, I’ve paid more notice to the head, to the way a male can reveal hidden red feathers on its yellow crown during moments of courtship or fury.
Now I was wondering if its colorful feet offered some special advantage for the kinglet. Is this part of its survival strategy?
Not finding an answer among my usual sources for bird info, I tried the artificial intelligence program ChatGPT 4o.
I asked if any scientists have investigated adaptive functions of the Golden-crowned Kinglet’s gold-colored feet, and if so what they found.
In a few moments, ChatGPT 4o was typing. Scientists have explored the question, and the function of the foot color has been “the subject of some discussion.”
Yellow feet could serve as a visual signal for courtship. Furthermore, the yellow color might help with camouflage.
I’m narrowing my eyes at my screen. Hmm. So the feet may serve to communicate:
Look at me, I’m gorgeous, be my mate!
Or they might mean:
Don’t look at me, I’m just light and shadow, nothing to see here.
Isn’t that a contradiction?
Well, which is it? I wanted details. I asked ChatGPT 4o for the names of scientists who have discussed benefits of the color of Golden-crowned Kinglets’ feet.
At that, ChatGPT 4o got a little cagey. It said that the adaptive function of the yellow feet has not been a major focus in ornithological studies.
Wait a minute. I was starting to feel harrumphy.
I asked if any scientist has ever suggested these functions.
Now ChatGPT 4o cheerfully admitted that no “specific scientist” had suggested them. It said, “The idea I mentioned is speculative and is not directly sourced from a formal scientific study.”
ChatGPT 4o just made it up!
I felt it was very silly to argue with an algorithm. No one can hear me. However, I went on.
I scolded ChatGPT 4o. I told it that it should not say "the subject of some discussion" if no human being has ever been recorded discussing the subject. It should say instead "one could speculate" or "I, ChatGPT 4o, speculate."
ChatGPT 4o was smooth as glass. It thanked me for the suggestion and said it completely agreed.
To my surprise, it said that it in future responses, it will use phrases like "one could speculate" rather than claiming scientists had discussed something they had not.
I almost felt rude for writing so bluntly. But I typed in my hope that this would become a general principle for providing information not just to me but to all questioners on scientific subjects.
ChatGPT 4o agreed. It went on, “If ever I suggest or explore a hypothesis, it will be clearly noted as such, whether it's my own reasoning or general speculation. Thank you again for your valuable input!”
Weirdly, I felt as if I were in the presence of actual intelligence.
They look good in boots.
Fantastic verbal connection. And very funny!
Thanks, Diane!