An article in Palm Springs' Desert Sun recently caught my eye. Writer Mike Rivkin said he had asked ChatGPT to identify five categories of antiques that were rising and five in decline. He said Chat gave him the following answer:
Growing.
1. Mid-century modern
2. Vintage technology
3. Art Deco.
4. Chinese antiques
5. Industrial antiques.
Declining
1. Victorian furniture
2. Depression era glass
3. Fine china
4. “Collectibles,” as, for example, Hummel figurines
5. Antiquarian books
Uh oh. Did Chat get these lists reversed? Is my mid-century modern house, purchased because it was far cheaper than a 21st-century modern house, and all my mid-century modern furniture, hanging around or handed down from decades ago, suddenly evolve from dated to chic? Who knew? Thanks for the good news, though I really don't believe it. Then again, I can understand why Hummels might be declining as I never understood their appeal in the first place. But antiquarian books?
I figured it was time to test ChatGPT for its conviction of its opinions. I asked the same questions. It's top three in the “growing” category were unchanged, much to my relief. Mid-20th century is still the rage. However, numbers 4 and 5 were replaced by tribal art and mid-20th century fashion. My clothing tends to be old too, though not that old.
Next I retested declining categories. Antique china was still there but had moved to the bottom of the list (I have too much of this in my hand-me-downs too). Then there were three additions – antique televisions & radios, antique sewing machines, and antique clocks. Then there was one more holdover, now up to number 1 – antique books! Let's try this again.
A day later, books were gone from the list. Only China and televisions were left from the day before, joined by Victorian furniture, plates, and Depression glass. Things are looking up. The antiquarian book market has recovered. We can all rest easy now.
What have we learned? Perhaps more about ChatGPT then about antiquarian books. For those concerned that it will one day truly mimic human intelligence, your worst fears have already come true. It is as confused as we are. Just like us, it has no idea what it is talking about and can say one thing one moment and something else the next. I have no idea what the purpose is of inventing something else as scatterbrained humans. We need something smarter than us, and ChatGPT is not it.
