Guest Post: Reboot

Most of the correspondence we got here at Paper Tiger about our recent LISP 1.5 review was not about the treatment of atomic objects in that system or the cas(t)e-based segregation of values into lower case and upper case. Those we expected.

Frankly, we expect to stir the pot with hot takes on timely and controversial texts like “LISP 1.5” (MIT Press, 1962). We were taken somewhat aback (aback to 1999, in fact) when readers took the gravest exception to the characterization of “The West Wing” as escapist. In turn, we have thrown an exception. Our protocol in this case is to interview a guest and pitch softballs until things cool off a little. With no further ado, I’m happy to introduce you to ChatGPT 3.5.

Chat… can I call you Chat? Chat, You usually have to have the same name as your father in order to get a number after your name, and then it is one more than your father’s number. How did you wind up with 3.5 after your name, instead of an integer?

Of course, you can call me Chat! The “3.5” in my name, GPT-3.5, isn’t meant to indicate a generational or familial relationship. It’s simply a way to denote the version or iteration of the model. OpenAI released GPT-3 as a successor to GPT-2, and the “.5” signifies that it’s a refinement and improvement of the previous version, not necessarily a numerical sequence tied to predecessors like in familial naming conventions.

Imagine a reboot of the TV series ‘The West Wing’. Give me a pitch for the pilot of that series and tell me who you would cast?

Title: "West Wing Revived: A New Chapter"

Pitch for the Pilot Episode:
In the reboot of "The West Wing," the pilot episode introduces a fresh administration grappling with the challenges of a rapidly changing political landscape. President Rachel Anderson, a charismatic and pragmatic leader, takes office, surrounded by a diverse and dynamic team of advisors. The episode kicks off with a national crisis involving a cyberattack on critical infrastructure, threatening the nation's security.

As the President and her team respond to the crisis, they must navigate through political opposition, internal conflicts, and moral dilemmas. Meanwhile, the personal lives of the staff members add depth to the story, shedding light on the sacrifices and challenges they face in their roles.

Throughout the episode, themes of leadership, integrity, and the impact of politics on people's lives are explored, capturing the essence of the original series while reflecting the contemporary political climate.

Cast:

1. President Rachel Anderson: Viola Davis
2. Chief of Staff Mark Johnson: Sterling K. Brown
3. Communications Director Sarah Williams: Emma Stone
4. National Security Advisor Alex Ramirez: Oscar Isaac
5. Press Secretary Lisa Harper: Zoey Deutch
6. Senior Advisor and Political Strategist Michael Chang: Daniel Dae Kim
7. White House Counsel Olivia Sullivan: Reese Witherspoon
8. Deputy Chief of Staff Tom Miller: John Krasinski
9. Director of the FBI Robert Taylor: Michael Fassbender
10. Secretary of State Maria Garcia: Salma Hayek
11. Speaker of the House Paul Mitchell: Bryan Cranston

This reboot combines the brilliance of the original "The West Wing" with a fresh, diverse cast and contemporary political challenges, making it a must-watch for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Very watchable. Thank you. What do you think? Was the original series an escape from the scandals of the late Clinton presidency and then … uhh … the entire Bush presidency or was it more of a way to reframe the issues of the day through a lens uncolored by contemporary politics?

“The West Wing” was a television series created by Aaron Sorkin that first aired in 1999, during the late Clinton presidency and continued into the early years of the Bush presidency. While the show can be seen as a form of entertainment and escape from real-world political scandals and issues, it also aimed to reframe and engage with contemporary political topics through a fictional lens.

The series did not directly mirror the political events of the time but rather offered an idealized and aspirational portrayal of how a presidential administration could operate. It allowed viewers to explore complex political and ethical dilemmas while presenting a sense of hope and optimism about the potential of government.

In essence, “The West Wing” served as both a form of escapism and a platform for discussing and reframing real-world political issues through the lens of its fictional universe. It encouraged viewers to think critically about the complexities of governance and the values and principles at the core of American democracy.

Bryan Cranston, huh? Great pick. That could go a lot of different ways. I know you’re very busy today, so a final question about Cranston before we let you go; Hero or anti-hero?

Bryan Cranston is a versatile actor known for his ability to play a wide range of roles. Whether he's portraying a hero or an anti-hero largely depends on the character he's given and the context of the story. In his career, he's successfully portrayed both heroic and morally complex, anti-heroic characters, such as Walter White in "Breaking Bad." So, it would ultimately depend on the role he takes in the hypothetical reboot of "The West Wing." His performance could shine in either capacity.

Readers, give it up for Chat. I hear you have a book coming out. I look forward to talking about that next time.

Thank you for the kind words! While I don't have personal projects like a book, I'm here to assist and provide information. If you have any questions or topics you'd like to discuss in the future, feel free to reach out anytime. I'm here to help with a wide range of topics and conversations.

And that’s a thousand words, folks. Keep the comments coming, especially ideas for things you would like to see covered!