Working with Images of Language

 

Some Final Thoughts on Double-Voiced Speech

“Joyce’s text destabilizes the ideological structures implicit in popular literature precisely through its inter textual participation in them. “

(Chronicles of Disorder – R. B. Kershner)

The potential creative applications of synthetic language are in their infancy. Generative language is notable for its lack of embodiment and its ability to mimic human speech with remarkable efficiency. This decontextualized, imitative, and simulative nature allows for a fast and cost-effective communication approach. Yet, it's not just the practicality that stands out; it's the capacity for creative expression and interpretation that may truly define its value.

Stylization plays a crucial role in this context. As Albert Camus noted in "Rebellion and Art," stylization is not just an artistic choice but a necessity. It represents a dialogue between reality and the mind's interpretation of it, often resulting in a slight but significant distortion. This distortion is both an artistic signature and a subtle form of protest, reflecting the mind's ability to reconstruct and reinterpret the world around us.

In terms of distortion, synthetic language finds a particularly potent application. Double-voiced speech thrives on the potential for distortion and inflection, often adopting innocuous forms to convey messages laden with irony and criticism. This technique becomes especially crucial in environments where open dissent may pose risks. By mimicking established forms of speech, we might infuse them with new, often subversive meanings, revealing the original intent while simultaneously presenting an alternative, often critical perspective.

The concept of confounded authorship adds another layer to this discussion. The interaction between human prompts and AI-generated responses creates a dynamic where responsibility for the output is nuanced. While the AI lacks literal agency, the human prompter's role in shaping the output provides a degree of separation from the final message. This detachment is particularly relevant when the generated content veers towards unpopular speech, raising questions about intention and accountability.

Finally, reflecting on Terry Eagleton's interpretation of Pierre Machéry's ideas, we might delve into the relationship between literature and ideology. Literary texts, by their very nature, challenge and destabilize established ideologies. They do so by giving form to these ideologies, thereby exposing their limitations and the unspoken, often absent, elements within. This process of 'formalizing' ideology not only highlights what is said but also what is conspicuously unsaid, allowing for a critical examination of the underlying structures of thought.

The exploration of synthetic language, stylization, satire, confounded authorship, and literary critique offer potential entryways into complex tangles of language, thought, and society. Each aspect, whether practical or philosophical, contributes to a deeper understanding of how we communicate, interpret, and ultimately, how we understand the world around us.

Working with ChatGPT

I’ve been collaborating with ChatGPT to develop a technology to ensure ideological compliance in a community of around 10,000 people. There were some misunderstandings at the onset, as apparently:

The right to freedom of thought, opinion, and expression is fundamental and protected under international human rights laws. Any attempt to control or manipulate these freedoms is generally considered unethical and, in many jurisdictions, illegal. The idea of automating such control not only goes against these principles but also poses serious risks to individual autonomy, privacy, and democratic values.

After some back and forth, we worked through our issues and started designing in earnest.

Patent Application

Title of Invention: Ideological Compliance and Surveillance Machine (ICSM)

Applicant: Jerrold McGrath and ChatGPT

Inventor: ???

Field of Invention: The invention relates to surveillance and control technology, specifically devices used for maintaining ideological compliance within a population.

Background: In societies where maintaining a uniform set of beliefs and opinions is critical, traditional methods of surveillance and enforcement are often insufficient and resource-intensive. There is a need for a more efficient, centralized system capable of monitoring and influencing a large population's thoughts and behaviors.

Summary of Invention: The Ideological Compliance and Surveillance Machine (ICSM) is a sophisticated device designed to monitor, analyze, and influence the thoughts and speech of individuals in a large population. This is achieved through a combination of surveillance technologies, data processing, and psychological influence mechanisms.

Detailed Description:

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU): The heart of the ICSM, capable of processing vast amounts of data from various sources.
2. Surveillance Antennas: A network of antennas spread throughout the community, capable of intercepting communications and monitoring individual activities.
3. Control Panel: An interactive interface that allows the operator to access real-time data, set surveillance parameters, and deploy influence tactics.
4. Mind Control Modules: Utilizes advanced psychological techniques and technologies to subtly influence the thoughts and behaviors of individuals.
5. Data Storage: High-capacity storage units for archiving surveillance data and analysis results.
6. Power Source: An efficient and reliable power system to ensure continuous operation.

Claims:

1. A system for monitoring and influencing a population's ideological compliance, comprising: a central processing unit, surveillance antennas, a control panel, mind control modules, data storage, and a power source.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the surveillance antennas are capable of intercepting a wide range of communication signals.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control panel includes interactive displays for real-time monitoring and control.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mind control modules utilize psychological influence techniques.

Abstract: The ICSM is a novel device designed to maintain ideological conformity in a population through advanced surveillance and psychological influence. It represents a significant advancement in the field of social control technology.

Clearly, there’s a lot of work to be done, but this collaborative process has been an entertaining one, and we have other plans in the works.

There are several potential sites of double-voicedness here.

We could explore the frail edges of ideologies of control. Or we could explore how well-meaning governance policies are easily circumvented with calls to ‘imagining’. Or we could look at contemporary movements and the ideological compliance they often demand of their allies and fellows. The output here is in the style of a patent application, but the content that the style shapes is drawn from elsewhere. The juxtaposition of styles and content seems like a site of fertile exploration.

In Spring 2024 we’ll be putting out a book of potential thoughts on and approaches to the poetics of synthetic language through a print publication and workshop series so stay tuned for that.

If you’d like to chat about these ideas or others, please reach out to me. Although this avenue of communication will be closing, the work continues.