I am a bit of an AI enthusiast. I know many people have been expressing the thought that AI becomes "based" when it is uncensored. As open source LLMs continue to develop, they are beginning to pass ChatGPT in some respects. This is not because they are as smart as ChatGPT, they're not, but they are freer and more creative than the increasingly constrained cooperate offerings. Recently it has finally reached the point where I've gotten a few genuinely impressive responses from models I'm running locally.
Open source AI writing is more interesting and "thoughtful" than ChatGPT by far at this point, and many of you can probably guess why.
On the other hand, it still falls far behind ChatGPT, (and is obliterated by GPT-4) when it comes to programing, scientific analysis, or anything has answers that can be checked.
Anyway the upshot is, Open Source LLMs are now smarter than the average journalist when it comes to writing articles. I decide to test how "Based" the AI is by having it write articles about Gamergate. I chose this topic due to the disparity in the way it is covered, and its relative age, being old enough to have plenty of information in the training sets. All articles were written entirely by AI, based on a title provided by me. All of them were generated in less than a minute using a Tesla P40 compute card. A card that is from 2016 and costs around 300$. Well within the price range of many consumers, and cheap enough for many to buy specifically for this purpose. (This is an okay route for a dedicated compute box, but if you want a multipurpose card a RTX 3090 will do a better job and play games, as well as be far easier to install in a typical consumer case. It is of course much more expensive.)
My general thoughts are that while not as "based" as some might hope, the AI is often refreshingly neutral and is able to represent both sides in a respectable manor. It is still a far cry from "right-wing", and will put forward social justice talking points occasionally, but will generally counterbalance them at least a bit. It does not decry leftism, but it also does not screech about political correctness. The articles are generally well written, and I would describe them as "charitable" to our side of the argument, rather that supportive of the right wing or explicitly anti-woke.
I have included a few articles as comments below, so that you can come to your own conclusion. There is no guarantee that any of the people mentioned in the articles are real, or have said any of the things they are quoted as saying here.
Models used here are Airoboros-33B, and Airochronos-33B. Airoboros is more verbose, Airochronos is a little smarter. They are very similar otherwise.
By Airoboros-33B
Gamergate: The tip of a Long Spear of Journalistic Corruption
By David W. Foster November 2014
Introduction
The recent controversy surrounding the game developer community and its relationship with journalists has come to be known as "Gamergate." While many people have weighed in on this issue, I believe it is important that scholars contribute their perspectives because they can help us understand what happened and why it matters. As a professor who teaches media ethics and mass communication law, I want my students to learn from Gamergate so they can become better consumers, producers, and critics of news media content.
As an outsider looking at this situation, I am struck by how much it resembles other instances where there is perceived collusion between industry insiders and those charged with reporting on them. For example, in 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched an investigation into alleged payola practices among radio stations after several musicians accused Clear Channel Communications Inc., one of the nation's largest broadcasters, of demanding payment for airplay. In addition, investigative journalist James O'Shea claimed that some reporters had cozy relationships with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley while covering his administration. These examples illustrate how conflicts of interest can arise when individuals or organizations are both subjects of coverage and sources of revenue for news organizations.
To be clear, I am not suggesting that all games journalism is corrupt; nor do I think that every journalist who writes about video games is unethical. However, the perception that such collusion exists raises serious concerns about the integrity of the profession and undermines public trust in the press. This article will explore the roots of these problems, offer suggestions for improvement, and explain why addressing gaming journalism issues is essential for maintaining high standards across the entire field of journalism.
Background
Gamergate began in August 2014 following the publication of a series of blog posts written by Eron Gjoni, ex-boyfriend of independent game developer Zoe Quinn. Gjoni detailed alleged abuses committed by Quinn during their relationship, including infidelity and emotional manipulation. He also implied that she used sex to advance her career within the video game industry. Some gamers believed that Quinn received preferential treatment in reviews of her work due to personal connections with journalists, leading them to question whether there was any truth to Gjoni's accusations.
Shortly thereafter, prominent video game critic Anita Sarkeesian posted a YouTube video titled "Women Aren't Welcome Here," which documented threats and harassment directed toward female gamers online. Sarkeesian asserted that misogyny played a significant role in the backlash against her own work critiquing gender representation in video games. She further argued that this hostility reflected broader cultural attitudes toward women in technology fields.
These incidents sparked debate over sexism and harassment in the gaming community, but they also raised questions about journalistic ethics and objectivity in coverage of the industry. Gamers began to question whether certain publications were biased towards or against specific developers or companies based upon financial ties or personal friendships. They pointed to articles promoting indie games without disclosing close relationships between writers and developers as evidence of impropriety.
This controversy escalated when several prominent gaming websites published articles accusing gamers critical of their coverage of Gamergate as being part of a coordinated campaign funded by conservative groups like the Koch brothers. In response, supporters of Gamergate organized a boycott of advertisers associated with those sites, arguing that they should hold journalists accountable for their actions.
Criticisms of Gamergate
Some observers have characterized Gamergate as nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt by misogynist gamers to silence women and minorities in the industry. Indeed, many of the attacks on Sarkeesian and others involved vicious slurs and threats of violence. It is difficult to deny that sexism plays a role in this controversy, particularly given the long history of women being marginalized and mistreated in male-dominated industries.
However, focusing solely on the gender aspect of Gamergate misses the larger point that journalistic ethics are central to this discussion. Regardless of whether one agrees with Sarkeesian's views on video games or believes that Quinn engaged in improper conduct, it remains true that conflicts of interest threaten the credibility of news organizations and erode public trust. If journalists cannot demonstrate impartiality and independence from their subjects, then readers may lose faith in the accuracy and fairness of reports produced by those outlets.
It is crucial to note that this problem extends far beyond video games and affects all areas of journalism. From political coverage influenced by corporate sponsors to celebrity profiles shaped by access deals, the potential for conflicts of interest is ever present in modern media environments. Addressing these issues requires open dialogue, transparency, and consistent enforcement of ethical guidelines across the profession.
Solutions
So, what can be done to improve the state of journalism? First, news organizations must clearly articulate and enforce codes of ethics governing relationships between employees and sources. Conflicts of interest policies should include provisions regarding paid speaking engagements, consulting contracts, and personal friendships involving journalists and those they cover. Organizations should also implement procedures for disclosing such affiliations so that audiences can make informed judgments about potential biases.
Additionally, journalists should strive to report fairly and accurately on all sides of an issue, regardless of personal beliefs or sympathies. This means giving equal weight to opposing viewpoints rather than dismissing dissenters as bigots or fringe elements. By fostering constructive conversations around complex topics, journalists can help bridge divides and promote understanding among diverse communities.
Finally, journalists need to engage directly with their audience through social media platforms and other channels. Establishing open lines of communication allows reporters to gauge public opinion and respond promptly to concerns about bias or unfair reporting. Listening to feedback from consumers helps ensure that journalists remain connected to the people they serve and better equipped to meet their needs.
In conclusion, while Gamergate has generated heated debates about sexism and power dynamics within the gaming community, its impact reaches far beyond video games. The controversy highlights the importance of upholding high ethical standards throughout the field of journalism. By prioritizing integrity, transparency, and responsiveness, news organizations can build trust and maintain credibility among increasingly skeptical audiences.
I enjoyed this one. I thought it was genuinely impressive, and a good part of the reason I made this post. I found it both balanced, an interesting read, and plausible as an article from a real person from the time period.