There is something about winter
which pares all living things down to their essentials
– Moya Cannon
It learns…something
– Lex Fridman talking with Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI)
Tim Berners-Lee invented the internet, and envisaged it as a utopian democratic space. We all did, excited with the new technology. Talk to anyone, reason together, make the world better. He realised he was wrong, with particular concerns about false information. In 1999 Jeremy Paxman asked David Bowie for his views about the internet. “It’s just a tool though isn’t it?” Paxman suggested. “No it’s not, it’s an alien life form” he replied.
Bowie was pondering the connection between computers and human capacity which means the latter doesn’t operate normally. It’s coded and subjected to external forces like the comment, retweet, and trend. You’re not writing a diary, if it’s not your own web site. You enter, rather, a strange space with a rewired process. ChatGPT is the next internet phase. We won’t all use it, but it runs in the background, as Bowie half seriously described: with its own alien rules.
ChatGPT is technically and culturally fascinating. How it works, and what the consequences will be. A professor I know said it wrote a pass grade essay, and we can imagine what happens next. Instead of reading, researching, writing, students ask artificial intelligence to do the work. If they care about a good grade, they improve it with minimal effort. If they don’t, submit it when they return from the pub. I read about a college which is changing their teaching. Instead of writing essays, students document their research. Computers don’t think and are not conscious, but this is confused. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep asked sci-fi writer Phillip K. Dick in 1968.
Noam Chomsky has written critically about the subject, countering strange theories leading in wrong directions. The problem lies with language and its connection with thought, mind, and reality, which are different categories. I find my mistakes funny, saying once to a French speaker “petit poissons” when I meant “petit-pois.” We laughed, which a computer cannot compute. I laughed again making a ridiculous request in a French shop, when I realised my error. They looked at me unmoved like I was wearing M and S while they strutted Dior. In fact it was The North Face, in the town of Cauterets, convenient for the Pyrenees.
Writer Jeanette Winterson is the strongest voice I know for this subject. She tried therapy after a terrible childhood but said it didn’t work for her. Books did, when young at a local library, then at university. She reads literature as others read Carl Jung. Not as detached art, but for guidance, described here eloquently:
Language gives the reader the words she or he needs to manage their internal situation
Reading isn’t data. Books more than ever are agents of freedom
Literature is a compass
Literature, because it is made of language, returns language to us. If we have the words, we are not silenced, although we learn, through the enforced quiet of reading, what it means to be silent
What they heal is the rupture reality makes on the imagination
Fiction and poetry are doses, medicines
What I had, most of all, was the language that books allowed. A way to talk about complexity. A way to keep the heart awake
ChatGPT keeps nothing awake so how might we feel if a poem impresses, then find a computer wrote it? Literature is the “only connect” of E.M. Forster so we “live in fragments no longer.” Deception, or falsity, is strange territory comparable to Photoshop photographs banned in competitions and journalism. AI technology extends the practice, making untrue images easier. ChatGPT is also a test, exposing formulaic subjects full of cliché and commonality.
The problem is not so much people will think robotic text shows human intelligence. Some will, but perhaps read sci-fi obsessively or spend too much time with computer games and code. The problem is, it will embed into society regardless. Consider the malevolence of politics Twitter, and what might happen if those actors have more powerful tools. This is probably a greater threat than orchestrated campaigns from above, because of the scale of the behaviours below. ChatGPT writes HTML and you could probably generate a web site, with artificial commenting people, then insert them into Twitter. That wouldn’t degrade politics, if you look at the absurdly repeating ideas. It would amplify the nonsense. There are millions of politics people like sixteen year olds trying to hack into the Pentagon with, the George Orwell observation, language used as a weapon. Not for communication, but to obfuscate and lie.
In the literary domain, where language has the power as Winterson describes, we will see computer written books of a reasonable standard. Give it time, scan Tolstoy, Ishiguro, Austen – and computers will produce a decent novel. If it grows substantially, the consequences are serious. Publishing houses will be alert but the internet world, cyberspace as it was once called, is ungovernable. Computers will replace human creation and we won’t see the difference.
The winter cold has just recently stopped and south of Scotland we’re in a mild rainy spring. Winter is a distinctive walking season because of the dramatic difference of snow. The rest of the time, rain, sun, relative cold, is another category. Winter is written about separately. I asked ChatGPT to “write an article about wild camping in winter” and received the following. It’s much the same as you find in magazines and how to do it books:
Wild camping in winter can be a beautiful and challenging experience for outdoor enthusiasts. The cold, snow, and icy conditions add an element of difficulty to the trip, but also bring unique rewards such as serene landscapes, peaceful solitude, and a sense of accomplishment. If you are considering wild camping in winter, here are some tips to help you plan and prepare for a safe and enjoyable trip.
Check the weather forecast
Winter weather can be unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly. Check the weather forecast for the area where you plan to camp, and monitor the forecast leading up to your trip. Avoid camping in areas prone to blizzards or severe weather, and be prepared for sudden temperature drops or high winds.
Choose the right gear
Wild camping in winter requires specialized gear to keep you warm and dry. Invest in a four-season tent designed for winter conditions, a sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures, a sleeping pad with insulation, and warm and waterproof clothing. Wear layers, including a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Pack extra gloves, hats, and socks, and consider bringing a balaclava or face mask to protect against windburn.
Plan your route
Winter conditions can make hiking more challenging, especially if there is snow and ice on the ground. Plan your route carefully, and consider the terrain and elevation gain. Choose a trail that is well-traveled or marked, and avoid steep or exposed areas that may be hazardous in icy conditions. Give yourself extra time to hike, as you may need to move at a slower pace.
Pack appropriate food and drink
Winter camping requires more energy than summer camping, as your body needs to work harder to stay warm. Pack high-energy, easy-to-prepare foods that provide ample calories and nutrients, such as nuts, dried fruits, and protein bars. Bring a stove and cookware to heat water for hot drinks and soups, and consider bringing a thermos to keep drinks warm throughout the day.
Build a fire safely
Building a fire can provide warmth and light in the winter, but it also carries risks. Choose a safe location for your fire, such as a fire ring or established fire pit, and clear away any snow or debris around the area. Use dry wood and kindling, and never leave the fire unattended. Make sure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving your campsite.
Stay hydrated
Winter air is dry, and your body can lose moisture through your breath. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Carry a water bottle with you, and consider melting snow for drinking water if necessary. Avoid drinking snow directly, as it can lower your body temperature and lead to hypothermia.
Know the signs of hypothermia
Hypothermia is a serious condition that can occur when your body temperature drops too low. Know the signs of hypothermia, such as shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and loss of coordination. If you or anyone in your group experiences these symptoms, take immediate action to warm up, such as changing into dry clothes, getting into a warm sleeping bag, or drinking a hot beverage.
Wild camping in winter can be a challenging but rewarding experience for outdoor enthusiasts. By planning and preparing carefully, and by following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and unforgettable winter camping trip.
Fire is usually not relevant and should be bracketed with environmental caution. If people start writing that, computers will detect it, and it will become part of the AI response. ChatGPT copies what it finds. It’s a test for originality and authenticity, although it can be engineered. People are watching it for bias just as (we learned from Elon Musk) Twitter was politically skewed in terms of the algorithms, senior decisions, and external influence.
I didn’t read anything about winter and snow camping before I did it, because what happens is the same with any hill encounter. You are presented with questions resolved in the moment. Avoid snow if there’s a bare patch because it will be warmer (obviously) because there’s heat loss on cold ground. Wear day clothes if necessary (obviously) which it might be if your sleeping bag isn’t warm enough. I did that once and was still cold the entire night, which meant I was at the edge of Lake District safety. Drop a few degrees more and I wasn’t protected. I woke several times, not warm enough, hoping that didn’t happen. I wondered about leaving the tent and walking to get warm. That’s best avoided. When my sleep is wrecked I feel physically and psychologically bad, making it more than a tough-it-out test.
In the Pyrenees, I had to shelter in a hut when the temperature dropped fifteen degrees in twenty minutes. Another time, I wasn’t prepared for the night because I was carrying summer weight gear. Pyrenean summers are usually stable and idyllic but can be wintry even in daytime. The question is, do you fly to France or Spain with winter gear so you are prepared for unlikely but possible challenge. Alternately, stay lightweight so walking is easier and more enjoyable. The answer, on that occasion, was go into a mountain refuge and ask if they had blankets.
The photograph is in the Lake District, looking towards Pillar from the fells above Buttermere. Camping the night before it was minus five. Zero in the daytime which meant I couldn’t stand still more than a few minutes, with a light fleece only. But it was fun, an exhilarating walk, with good photographs and memories.
I write like this is a magazine column. With research, references, and a lot of time. If you like it, perhaps you would support me.