Dear ChatGPT

This week, Ethlie replaces herself with a computer

I am fascinated by Artificial Intelligence (and please take note of my admiration, Dear Future Robot Overlord.) You may recall I illustrated my recent children’s picture book, WOOF!, using AI art generators. In the few months since I completed the project, it became possible write the entire book with AI.

Mind you, the writing wouldn't have been as good. The cool thing about AI is that it draws on all (digitally) existing human knowledge to deliver an answer. I thought that worked well with illustrations — an artist might disagree — but with prose it has a tendency to flatten everything. You end up with lowest-common-denominator text, and good writing is all about being surprising, and quirky, and humane. Robots are bad at humane. For now.

But I was curious, and I have access to OpenAI and the latest large language model, google’s Bard, so I gave each of them my job. This is what I entered into the generative engine:

You think you may be a love addict. Write a letter to an advice column asking for help figuring it out.

Then I asked it to respond to the questioner. This is what OpenAI’s ChatGPT returned:

Dear Advice Column,

I am writing to you because I think I may be a love addict, and I don't know what to do about it. I have been in and out of relationships for as long as I can remember, and I always seem to find myself obsessing over my partners and putting their needs before my own.

I have been told by friends and family that I have a pattern of falling for partners who are emotionally unavailable or who are not a good fit for me, but I can't seem to break the cycle. Even when I am not in a relationship, I find myself constantly searching for love and validation from others, and I feel like I can't be happy without it.

I have read about love addiction and the symptoms seem to describe my behavior perfectly. I am constantly seeking out attention and affection from others, and I feel empty and anxious when I am not in a relationship. I am also prone to jealousy and controlling behavior, and I find myself obsessing over my partner's every move.

I am reaching out to you because I don't know how to break this pattern and get help. I am worried that my behavior is affecting my relationships and my ability to be happy on my own. Do you have any advice or resources that can help me figure out if I am a love addict, and if so, how to get help?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Name]

Dear [Your Name],

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns about your behavior and relationship patterns. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you may have a problem, and it is the first step towards healing and making positive changes.

Based on your description, it does sound like you may be struggling with love addiction. Love addiction is a real and serious issue that can have a negative impact on your relationships and your overall well-being. It's important to understand that love addiction is not about being in love or having a strong connection with someone. Instead, it's an unhealthy and compulsive need for love and validation that can lead to obsessive and destructive behavior.

The good news is that there is help available for those who are struggling with love addiction. I recommend seeking the help of a licensed therapist or counselor who specializes in addiction and relationship issues. They can provide you with a safe and supportive environment to explore your feelings, behaviors, and patterns, and help you develop healthier coping mechanisms and strategies for breaking the cycle of love addiction.

In addition to therapy, there are also support groups and resources available for those struggling with love addiction, such as Love Addicts Anonymous and Co-Dependents Anonymous. These groups provide a community of individuals who are going through similar experiences and can offer support, guidance, and accountability.

Remember that healing and recovery take time and effort, but it is possible. Be kind and patient with yourself, and don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it.

Best of luck to you on your journey towards healing and growth.

Sincerely,

[Advice Column]

Bard was a little more succinct:

Dear Advice Column,

I'm writing to you because I think I may be a love addict. I've been in and out of relationships for as long as I can remember, and I always seem to be chasing the next high. I'm never satisfied with the current relationship, and I'm always looking for something better.

I know this is a problem, but I don't know how to fix it. I've tried therapy, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm starting to feel like I'm going to be alone forever.

Can you help me figure out if I'm a love addict? And if I am, how can I get help?

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Reader

Dear Concerned Reader,

Thank you for your letter. It sounds like you're going through a difficult time, and I want to help.

It's important to remember that love addiction is a real addiction, just like any other addiction. It can be just as difficult to overcome, and it requires just as much treatment.

If you think you may be a love addict, the first step is to get help from a qualified professional. There are many different types of therapy that can be helpful for love addiction, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and 12-step programs.

It's also important to remember that you're not alone. There are many people who struggle with love addiction, and there is help available. With the right treatment, you can overcome this addiction and find healthy, fulfilling relationships.

I encourage you to reach out to a therapist or counselor who specializes in love addiction. They can help you understand your addiction and develop a treatment plan that's right for you.

You can also find support groups and online resources for love addicts. These can provide you with the support and understanding you need to overcome your addiction.

Remember, you're not alone in this. There is help available, and you can overcome love addiction.

Sincerely,

Advice Column

Well, how do you think they did? I’m impressed. Yes, it’s one-size-fits all, but the question was pretty general. I’m delighted that Future Robot Overload recognizes the existence of love addiction as an addiction. And I’m delighted that it recommends 12-step groups as well as therapy. I’m not planning on offloading your queries to the internet — I love hearing from you guys — but I do wonder who will be reading Dear Abby’s mail a year from now.

And yes, this column is illustrated with an AI generated drawing.