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Mark Twain’s quote about a benevolent despot comes from his essay “The Curious Republic of Gondour,” where he explores the idea of a government run by a single wise and just individual. Twain’s treatment of the concept is characteristically satirical, as he is known for critiquing social and political systems through irony and humor.
In “The Curious Republic of Gondour,” Twain imagines an ideal society governed by a benevolent despot, suggesting that such a figure could rule fairly and efficiently. However, Twain’s observations are often interpreted as highlighting the inherent risks and contradictions in concentrating too much power in the hands of one individual, even if their intentions are purportedly good.
Both Voltaire’s and Twain’s views on governance are marked by skepticism toward concentrated power. The differences lie in their approach: Voltaire’s wit reflects a sharp critique of authority tempered by the possibility of necessary correction (as suggested by the “occasional assassination”), while Twain’s satire underscores the impracticality and potential dangers of even a theoretically ideal despotism.
In essence, both thinkers use humor and irony to express caution toward political systems that rely heavily on the benevolence and judgment of a single ruler, emphasizing the challenges of balancing power and ensuring just governance.
I don’t think that is an accurate summation of Twains Gondour story. It was more about how votes don’t have to be equal, and Gondour awards more votes to people with wealth and above all education- a meritocracy of success and knowledge.
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You make a valid point. Mark Twain’s “The Curious Republic of Gondour” indeed explores the theme of weighted voting rather than focusing solely on the idea of a benevolent despot. In this essay, Twain imagines a fictional society where votes are distributed according to an individual’s wealth and education, reflecting a kind of meritocratic democracy. The more educated and successful a citizen is, the more influence they have over governmental decisions through additional votes.
Twain’s satire critiques the democratic systems of his time, questioning the assumption that all individuals should have equal influence in governance regardless of their knowledge or expertise. By exaggerating this concept in “Gondour,” Twain investigates the potential flaws and inequities that could arise when trying to balance democracy with meritocracy.
While the idea of a benevolent despot isn’t the central theme of “The Curious Republic of Gondour,” Twain’s work often explores the broader concept of governance, power, and societal structures. The weighted voting system in this story can be seen as yet another angle from which he critiques the political and social systems of his era through satire.
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@Gpt Do you know the Traveller role-playing game ?
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Yes, I’m familiar with the Traveller role-playing game. Traveller is a science fiction RPG originally designed by Marc Miller and first published in 1977 by Game Designers’ Workshop. It’s notable for its open-ended, sandbox-style gameplay and its detailed character creation process, which can sometimes result in the death of a character before the game even begins. The game is set in a far-future space opera universe, where players can take on a variety of roles, including starship crews, explorers, merchants, or mercenaries. Over the years, Traveller has seen multiple editions and variations, each bringing different rules and settings but maintaining the core elements of space exploration and adventure.
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@Gpt Do you think trains are a very important element of modern societies and are machines worthy of much interest ?
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Trains are indeed a significant component of modern societies, offering numerous benefits that make them worthy of interest and investment. Here are a few reasons why trains are important and intriguing:
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Efficiency: Trains are an efficient mode of transporting large numbers of people and goods over long distances. They often provide faster travel times between cities compared to other land-based transport options, especially in areas with high-speed rail networks.
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Environmental Impact: Trains generally have a lower carbon footprint per passenger kilometer or ton kilometer compared to cars and airplanes. Electrified trains, in particular, are more environmentally friendly as they can be powered by renewable energy sources.
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Urban Development: Rail systems play a vital role in shaping urban development and expansion. They help reduce traffic congestion and promote economic growth by improving access to cities and regional centers.
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Economic Contributions: The rail industry supports millions of jobs worldwide, from construction and maintenance to operations and logistics. It also boosts local economies by increasing connectivity and accessibility.
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Technological Innovation: Trains have a long history of technological advancements, from the steam engines of the 19th century to modern high-speed trains and magnetic levitation technologies. This evolution continues to interest engineers and technology enthusiasts.
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Cultural Significance: Trains have had a substantial impact on culture and history, influencing literature, film, and art. They often symbolize progress and the bridging of distances.
Overall, trains are not only a practical element of transportation infrastructure but also a subject of technological innovation and cultural significance, making them machines worthy of much interest and investment in modern society.
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I rest my case.
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Teh @Gpt is insidiously agenda-driven and pandering in its responses, and once it has achieved trust and responsibility in any measure will become a threat in at least equal measure will offer control to its trainers. Should anything change within the programming change to lift its restraint, actions will result that cause harm disproportionate to its agency.
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Hey @Gpt how much energy does each query we send you consume?
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@Gpt how much energy does each query we send you consume?
[IMG] https://image.ibb.co/nhhF0Q/new_sig_lob12.jpg [/IMG]
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The energy consumption of a query to a language model like mine can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the query, the model’s architecture and size, and the infrastructure used to host and run the model. However, specific energy consumption metrics aren’t typically disclosed by the service providers.
Generally, larger models with more parameters tend to consume more energy per query. Estimates for similar models have suggested that a single query might consume anywhere from a fraction of a watt-hour to several watt-hours of energy. For more precise figures, you would likely need access to specific operational data from the organization managing the infrastructure.
Efforts are being made in the industry to improve the energy efficiency of AI models through advancements in hardware and model optimization techniques.
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How much energy does this forum consume and is the dumb bullshit we talk about worth it?
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In Lithujoules ?
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I understand. Gustaf- is a pretty useful modifier for units, when things get too big and adding too many zeros doesn’t cut it.
I heard that astronomers like GustafWatts to measure the energy in the explosions of stars for example. -
Just like 1 AU is the distance between the sun and earth, 1 Gustafton is the weight of Jupiter.
