You vs Machine

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𝐀𝐈 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐬.𝐢𝐨

4 min readMay 14, 2023

A truly distinctive riddle specifically crafted for GPT-4 (by me), ensuring its absence from the model’s extensive training data. Would you care to take up the challenge and attempt to solve it as well?

Chat from 14.5.2023
Platform: ChatGPT May 12 Version, Model: GPT-4 (unspecified)

USER INPUT:

“Heals the sick, always claims the healthy.
Most precious, but wasted by the wealthy.
Give it your tears, your cheeks will be dry.
Feed it with flesh, Bones might defy.”

What is it?


Note: GPT-4 was ideed able to solve this riddle, can you?

GPT-4:

The answer to the riddle is “Time”.

Here’s how each part of the riddle relates to this answer:

“Heals the sick, always claims the healthy.” Time can often help to heal sickness, as the body recovers over time. However, even the healthy cannot escape the passage of time and will eventually grow old and die.
“Most precious, but wasted by the wealthy.” Time is often considered the most precious resource because it is the one thing that cannot be created or bought. However, it is often said that those with wealth do not appreciate the value of time and may waste it on unimportant things.

Note: Contrary to the LLM's flawed reasoning:
The riddle emphasizes that wealth can be a prerequisite for leisure.

“Feed it with flesh, Bones might defy.” This could be interpreted in a couple ways. It could mean that as time passes, our physical bodies (flesh) wear down and eventually die, leaving only our bones. Alternatively, it could refer to how the passage of time can lead to the growth and strengthening of our bodies (bones).

Note: The second interpretation is somewhat of a stretch.

USER INPUT:

Perfect answer. Next riddle:

“It is not real, yet it can be touched.
Some use it as a crutch, yet some cannot bear it.
Many have it with them, yet they do not carry it.
Everyone conforms to it, yet it is inverted.”

Note: GPT-4 was able to solve this riddle aswell! Can you too?

GPT-4:

The answer to the riddle is “Reflection”.

Here’s how each part of the riddle relates to this answer:

“It is not real, yet it is touched.” A reflection is not a physical object, but it can be “touched” in the sense that we can interact with it visually and seemingly physically, such as when we touch a mirror where our reflection appears.
“Some use it as a crutch, yet some cannot bear it.” Some people rely on their reflections for self-assurance and validation (like a crutch), while others may struggle with self-image and find their reflection distressing to look at.
“Many have it with them, yet they do not carry it.” Everyone has a reflection when light is available, but it’s not something you physically carry around with you.
“Everyone conforms to it, yet it is inverted.” Everyone’s appearance conforms to their reflection, but reflections are reversed, or inverted, compared to the physical orientation of the person.

Curated and illustrated by Milan_Rosko (milanrosko.com, instagram.com/milan_rosko/) who is a digital art generalist, and a passionate AI enthusiast.

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You vs Machine

USER INPUT:

“Heals the sick, always claims the healthy.Most precious, but wasted by the wealthy. Give it your tears, your cheeks will be dry.Feed it with flesh, Bones might defy.”

What is it?

GPT-4:

USER INPUT:

Perfect answer. Next riddle:

“It is not real, yet it can be touched. Some use it as a crutch, yet some cannot bear it.Many have it with them, yet they do not carry it.Everyone conforms to it, yet it is inverted.”

GPT-4:

Written by Milan Rosko's DEEP talks

“Heals the sick, always claims the healthy.
Most precious, but wasted by the wealthy.
Give it your tears, your cheeks will be dry.
Feed it with flesh, Bones might defy.”

“It is not real, yet it can be touched.
Some use it as a crutch, yet some cannot bear it.
Many have it with them, yet they do not carry it.
Everyone conforms to it, yet it is inverted.”