My Ailing Laptop

Lately, my late 2013 MacBook Pro is refusing to stay connected to the household WiFi which is a source of irritation. It had been flaky for a while and one might suspect the laptop's WiFI but it connects just fine to the WiFi from my iPhone when I use the latter as a hotspot. I'm currently running a ten metre cable from the household router to it so all is well. I don't move about much with it anyway so it's not really an issue.

It's back to the old pre-WiFi days
for me as my laptop lapses into senility

Ever since I installed Linux Mint on my laptop to replace the Mac OS, the Bluetooth has not worked but that didn't bother me. I replaced the ten year old battery with a new one when I was in Australia earlier this year and that has really given the old laptop a new lease on life. There's no doubt however, that the device, like its owner, is showing its age. Last night, I discovered that closing the lid placed the laptop in permanent suspension from which it would not awake. Once the lid closed, I needed to restart it. However, by changing preferences so that closing the lid had no effect, I was able to remedy that little glitch.

I've lately found my misplaced USB cooling pad and so I now rest the laptop on that to keep it cool as it can often overheat if placed under even minimal stress. Overall, despite its current quirks, the machine is quite sufficient for my needs and I've grown quite attached to it after using it regularly for over nine years now. It may even see me out. Who knows? In the meantime I still have my Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard computer as a back up in case my primary device has a heart attack. 

My backup device
Raspberry Pi 400

There is a Raspberry 5 out now but no sign of a Raspberry Pi 500 as yet. Regardless, such a device would be superfluous to my needs at the moment. As the year draws to a close, I must note that my output this year of 26 posts falls far short of my output for 2022 when I made 47 posts. However, it's consistent with my output in other years since my output for earlier years was:

►  2021 (27)

►  2020 (22)

►  2019 (17)

►  2018 (16)

►  2017 (24)

►  2016 (16)

The average number of posts for the years 2016 to 2023 is a little over 24 posts or almost exactly two per month.

Bard and Rebus Puzzles

My previous post on 11th November was titled More Rebus Puzzles and featured 24 puzzles. I solved most of them, often after a fair bit of thought, so I though I'd see how Google Bard performed when attempting to solve a couple of them.

I presented it with the easiest one of all which as FA ST and the solution is BREAKFAST but Bard was clueless. Here is the interchange. 

I found this rebus puzzle: FA ST. The first two letters are separated by a space from the last two letters. What could the solution to this puzzle be?

The solution to the rebus puzzle "FA ST" is "fast". The space between the first two letters and the last two letters is meant to represent the separation between the "fa" sound and the "st" sound in the word "fast".

Not so impressive. Next I tried a slightly more difficult one and not surprisingly Bard once again came up short.

Here is another REBUS puzzle (the two lines below):

     COD

H2        O

Can you find a common phrase that represents a solution to this puzzle?

Yes, there are two common phrases that could be the solution to the rebus puzzle:

COD H20: This phrase represents the phrase "caught in the rain." The rebus symbols represent the following:

COD: The fish cod. This represents the word "caught."

H20: The chemical formula for water. This represents the word "rain."

 

COD H2 O: This phrase represents the phrase "caught in the flow." The rebus symbols represent the following:

COD: The fish cod. This represents the word "caught."

H2: The chemical formula for hydrogen. This represents the word "flow."

O: The letter O. This represents the preposition "in." 

Well, I guess an E for Effort should be awarded but the solutions are nonsensical and it is apparent that, even though these puzzles are language-based, Bard still has a long way to go before it will be able to make sense of most rebus puzzles. 

More Rebus Puzzles

 I came across these 24 rebus puzzles in an email from this website:

Here are the answers together with some comments of my own:

1. Herbaceous border: I got the herbaceous part but didn't realise that the letters formed a border.
   
   
2. Just around the corner: got this one which is perhaps the easiest of them all.
   
   
3. Gross injustice: this took me a while to get this until I realised that 144 is a gross.
   
   
4. Fish out of water: got this one.
   
   
5. West Indies: got this one.
   
   
6. Two peas in a pod: got this one.
   
   
7. Blast from the past: got this one.
   
   
8. Cutting corners: got this one.
   
   
9. Handsome: I came up with hand calculator for this which is perhaps acceptable but I missed the some/sum homophone.
   
   
10. Mother-in-law: I came up with "silent cop" for this one based on keeping mom about something meaning to keep quiet about it which is perhaps a bit of a stretch.
    
    
11. Grandmother: I came up with "a single mother" for this one which I think is preferable to the answer given.
    
    
12. A splitting migraine: I came with "a big headache" for this one which is not too bad. 
    
    
13. In the middle of nowhere: I could only come up with "nowhere" which was a bit lame.
    
    
14. Breakfast: got this one quickly as it's one of the easiest.
    
    
15. Middle-age spread: I came up with "triage" which I think is quite creative but the answer given is clearly the more appropriate.
     
16. 26 letters in the alphabet: got this one.
    
    
17. Banana split: I came up with "half a banana" which is acceptable.
    
    
18. Right angle: got this one.
    
    
19. Overworked and underpaid: I got the "underpaid" bit but missed the "overworked" bit.
    
    
20. Polar opposites: I came up with "poles apart" which is more or less the same idea.
    
    
21. Afternoon tea: I knew that "noon" was involved but the "tea" part didn't click.
    
    
22. Absentee: I could see the "e" was missing but couldn't come up with anything sensible.
    
    
23. Out of touch: I came up with "a touch below you" or "a touch above you" but the answer given is clearly superior.
    
    
24. Going in circles: I came up with "going around in circles" which is basically the same.

All in all quite an interesting challenge and keeps the neurons firing. I certainly didn't come up with the answers instantly and most of them required me to look and hard. See my earlier post titled Rebus Puzzles from April 1st 2023.

Chess Puzzle

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted anything on this blog. In fact it was July 23rd of this year when I posted about a new image file format. Today I was presented with a chess puzzle that took me a few minutes to work out. See Figure 1.

Figure 1: White to move and mate in 2

The key to the problem is Black's lack of mobility. Only the rook or the pawn on a7 can move. White must make a move so that, whether Black moves the pawn or the rook, mate must follow. The necessary move is Qd5, obvious enough once you see it.

Recently I started solving some of the puzzles on lichess.org as an alternative to playing full games which I usually lose (playing on Fairy-Stockfish 14 level 6). See Figure 2. I always play classical chess with an unlimited time control as I don't enjoy the stress of timed games. I've tried playing 5 minute games against online opponents but found that too tense. I only play against the computer nowadays. For this reason I don't have a rating as it's only games played against online opponents under time controls that count.

Figure 2

My current level in solving puzzles is 1967 and in general I hover around the 2000 mark, sometimes a little above and sometimes a little below.

 
Figure 3

It's a relaxing alternative to playing full games and I should do it more frequently as one means of keeping my brain active.

A New Image File Format

I wanted to download an image file that was in avis file format. This was a format that I'd never seen before. I asked Bard for information about it. Here is what it came up with:

AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format. It is a royalty-free image file format that uses the AV1 video codec for compression. AVIF files are typically smaller than JPEG or WebP files, while maintaining or even improving image quality.

AVIF files are supported by a growing number of image viewers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Preview. They can also be converted to other image formats, such as JPEG or PNG.

Here are some of the advantages of using AVIF files:

They are smaller than JPEG or WebP files, while maintaining or even improving image quality.

They are royalty-free, so they can be used without any licensing fees.

They are supported by a growing number of image viewers.

Here are some of the disadvantages of using AVIF files:

They are not as widely supported as JPEG or WebP files.

They may not be compatible with older image viewers.

Overall, AVIF files are a promising new image format that offers a number of advantages over JPEG and WebP files. As more image viewers support AVIF files, they are likely to become more widely used.

Here are some of the features of AVIF files:

Support for multiple color spaces, including HDR and SDR.

Lossless compression and lossy compression.

Transparency support.

Animation support.

AVIF files are a good choice for a variety of applications, including:

Online images, such as those used on websites or in email.

Digital images, such as those used in photography or graphics design.

Video thumbnails.

If you are looking for an image format that offers high image quality and small file sizes, AVIF is a good option to consider.

I downloaded the avis image and tried to upload it to this blog but the server rejected it. Thus one of the disadvantages (not as widely supported as JPEG or WebP files) becomes immediately apparent. In Linux Mint, the only image program that would open it was GIMP and I was able to use this to export the image as JPEG. See below:

So that was interesting. Here is some further information (source):

AV1 Image File Format (AVIF) is an encoding based on the open source AV1 video codec. AVIF is even newer—than WebP, only supported in Chrome and Opera since 2020, Firefox in 2021, and Safari in 2022. As with WebP, AVIF aims to address every conceivable use case for raster images on the web: GIF-like animation, PNG-like transparency, and improved perceptual quality at file sizes smaller than JPEG or WebP.

So far, AVIF shows promise. A testing framework developed by Netflix—a founding member of the Alliance for Open Media, the group responsible for the development of the AV1 codec—shows significant reductions in file sizes when compared to JPEG or WebP. Additional studies by Cloudinary and Chrome's codecs team have weighed it favorably against current encoding standards.

Bard

I played around with Google Bard last night and again today. Previously, I had only used ChatGPT but Bard is able to accept images as input and I tried it out with the image shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Here was the prompt that I gave Bard after uploading the image:

Can you recognize where this image came from and say something about what it represents?

The response was as follows:

 The image you sent me is a painting called The School of Athens by Raphael. It was painted in the early 16th century and is now housed in the Vatican Museums in Rome. The painting depicts a group of scholars and philosophers from different eras gathered in a courtyard. The central figure is Plato, who is pointing to the heavens, while Aristotle is pointing to the earth. Other figures in the painting include Pythagoras, Socrates, Euclid, and Archimedes.

The School of Athens is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance art. It is a celebration of learning and the pursuit of knowledge. The painting also reflects Raphael's own interest in philosophy and science.

The image you sent me is a reproduction of The School of Athens. It is a common sight in schools and libraries, and it represents the importance of education. The painting is a reminder that we should all strive to learn and grow, and that knowledge is the key to enlightenment.

Interesting response but totally wrong. Figure 2 shows what The School of Athens painting looks like:

Figure 2

The image shown in Figure 1 was taken from the dust jacket of my original copy of The Glass Bead Game so I tried this prompt:

I'm afraid that you are wrong. The painting has something to do with Herman Hesse's Glass Bead Game I think. Does this help?

The response was:

You are correct. The painting I was thinking of is not The School of Athens, but rather The Glass Bead Game by Paul Klee. It was painted in 1921 and is now housed in the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland. The painting depicts a group of figures playing a game with glass beads. The figures are all different ages and from different cultures, and they are all wearing robes that represent different disciplines of knowledge.

The Glass Bead Game is a central metaphor in Hesse's novel of the same name. In the novel, the Glass Bead Game is a complex and demanding intellectual pursuit that synthesizes all of the arts and sciences. The game is played by a select group of individuals who are known as Glass Bead Players.

The painting by Klee is a visual representation of the Glass Bead Game. It shows the game as a kind of cosmic dance, in which all of the different disciplines of knowledge are interconnected. The painting is a celebration of the human intellect and the power of art to unite people from all walks of life.

I apologize for the confusion. I am still under development and learning to identify different paintings. Thank you for providing me with the correct information.

Clearly, image analysis still has some way to go in Bard. What's disturbing is the confidence with which these AI bots output totally false information.

HUIS-CLOS

I came across the phrase "huis-clos" in a movie review and sought ChatGPT's help to illuminate its meaning:

What does the phrase "huis-clos" mean and can you give some examples of its use.

The phrase "huis-clos" is a French term that translates to "closed doors" in English. It is commonly used to describe a situation or setting where a group of people are confined or locked in together, typically in a confined space or a private setting. It often implies a sense of seclusion, privacy, or intimacy.

"Huis-clos" is also known as the title of a famous play written by Jean-Paul Sartre, titled "Huis Clos" or "No Exit" in English. The play explores existentialist themes and features three characters who are trapped together in a room for eternity. The phrase "hell is other people" is a well-known line from this play, highlighting the tension and psychological dynamics among the characters in their confined space.

In general usage, the term "huis-clos" can be used to describe various scenarios where individuals find themselves in a confined or private setting, often with a sense of intensity, intimacy, or limited external access. For example, it can be used to describe a closed-door meeting, a private conversation behind closed doors, or a group of people stuck together in an isolated location. 

How is the phrase pronounced in English?

In English, the phrase "huis-clos" is typically pronounced as "wee-kloh." Here's a phonetic breakdown:

"huis" is pronounced like "wee" (rhyming with "see").

"clos" is pronounced like "kloh" (rhyming with "mow").

So, when put together, it sounds like "wee-kloh."

Can you give some examples of English language huis-clos movies.

Certainly! "Huis clos" is a French term that translates to "no exit" or "behind closed doors." It refers to a narrative or setting where characters are confined to a specific space or situation, often leading to intense psychological and interpersonal dynamics. While the term originated from Jean-Paul Sartre's play "Huis Clos," here are some examples of English-language films with similar themes: 

"12 Angry Men" (1957) - A group of jurors deliberates in a closed room, exploring issues of justice, prejudice, and human nature. 

"Dogville" (2003) - The film presents a small town where the entire story unfolds on a minimalistic stage, examining themes of power, morality, and societal dynamics.

"The Breakfast Club" (1985) - A group of high school students is stuck in Saturday detention, leading to unexpected connections and revelations. 

"Rope" (1948) - Alfred Hitchcock's film takes place in a single apartment where two friends commit a murder, and the tension escalates as guests arrive for a dinner party. 

"Rear Window" (1954) - Another Hitchcock classic, the film features a wheelchair-bound photographer who suspects his neighbor of murder, observing the events from his apartment window.

These films demonstrate the concept of characters confined to a specific space or situation, where their interactions and conflicts drive the narrative.

Walking Too Fast

The statement in Figure 1 caught my attention recently and I quickly grasped the humour contained in it but I wondered if ChatGPT would.

Figure 1

As it turned out, ChatGPT had no clue until I provided it with one. Here was it's initial response to the question that I posed:

I saw this written on a T-shirt: "If this shirt is blue, you're walking too fast". Why is this humorous?

The humor in the statement on the T-shirt lies in the unexpected and nonsensical nature of the claim. The sentence presents a conditional statement with an absurd premise and an inconsequential consequence, resulting in a play on logic and absurdity. Here's an analysis of why this statement can be considered humorous:

Contradiction: The sentence begins by stating, "If this shirt is blue," implying that the color of the shirt affects something. However, the following part, "you're walking too fast," seems unrelated and illogical. The incongruity between the initial condition and the consequence creates a contradiction that is unexpected and absurd.

Absurdity: The idea that the color of a shirt has any connection to someone's walking speed is inherently silly and lacks a logical basis. There is no logical link between the color of a shirt and the pace at which someone walks. The absurdity of the claim adds an element of surprise and humor.

Twist on expectations: The humor also arises from the fact that the statement subverts our expectations. We typically expect conditional statements to have a cause-and-effect relationship that makes sense, but this statement intentionally breaks that pattern, catching us off guard and leading to amusement.

Wordplay: The sentence relies on a play on words by associating the color "blue" with the concept of speed. This wordplay adds a layer of cleverness to the humor.

Overall, the humor in this statement emerges from the combination of illogical premises, absurdity, unexpectedness, and wordplay. It's a lighthearted and playful form of humor that relies on subverting our logical expectations and presenting an incongruous situation.

Oops, missed the humour completely so I provided some assistance.

Ah, well you've failed to grasp the real humor of the T-shirt's message. It has to do with the Doppler Effect. Do you want to reconsider your previous response.

I apologize if my previous response did not capture the intended humor of the T-shirt's message. If the statement on the T-shirt is intended to reference the Doppler Effect, then the humor lies in the play on words and the clever connection to the scientific phenomenon.

The Doppler Effect is a change in frequency or wavelength of a wave (such as sound or light) as observed by an observer moving relative to the source of the wave. In the case of sound waves, when an object emitting sound approaches, the frequency of the sound waves increases, resulting in a higher pitch. Conversely, when the object moves away, the frequency decreases, resulting in a lower pitch.

The T-shirt's message, "If this shirt is blue, you're walking too fast," cleverly plays with the idea of the Doppler Effect. In this context, the humor arises from the wordplay between the color "blue" and the concept of moving too fast. The statement humorously suggests that if the shirt appears blue, it means the person wearing it is walking so quickly that they are experiencing the Doppler Effect, causing a shift in the perceived color.

The humor in this case relies on the audience's understanding of the Doppler Effect and their ability to make the connection between the scientific phenomenon and the humorous twist in the statement.

I found this an interesting exercise because I was testing ChatGPT's understanding of fairly subtle humour and it failed initially. However, it was quick to pick up on my hint and come up with a correct assessment as to why the statement was funny.

69BC

My diurnal age today is 27068 which converts to 69BC in the hexadecimal number system. I've written about what I term what I term "BC numbers" in a post titled AD and BC Numbers on my mathematical blog. I used ChatGPT to list what significant historical events are associated with the year 69BC. It turns out that there are many.

What significant events occurred in the year 69BC?

The year 69 BC was a significant year in ancient history, with several notable events taking place. Here are a few of them:

The Third Servile War begins: In the Roman Republic, a slave revolt known as the Third Servile War broke out in Sicily in 69 BC, led by the gladiator Spartacus. The rebellion would eventually spread throughout Italy and last until 71 BC.

Birth of Cleopatra VII: Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, is believed to have been born in 69 BC. She would go on to become one of the most famous and powerful women in history.

Lucullus invades Armenia: The Roman general Lucullus launched a military campaign against the Kingdom of Armenia in 69 BC. This would lead to a series of conflicts between the Roman Republic and the Armenian Kingdom over the next several decades.

The Kingdom of Pontus is dissolved: The Kingdom of Pontus, which had been established by the Persian general Mithridates VI in the late 2nd century BC, was dissolved in 69 BC after Mithridates VI was defeated by the Roman general Lucullus.

The Han Dynasty is established in China: In 69 BC, the Chinese general Liu Bang defeated the last rival warlord and established the Han Dynasty, which would rule China for over four centuries.

These are just a few of the significant events that occurred in 69 BC, highlighting the political, military, and cultural developments of the time.

Searching Effectively Via ChatGPT

One thing that ChatGPT is especially good at is finding answers to vague questions. Take for example the following query of mine:

What is the German word that means thinking of something witty to say only after you’ve walked down the stairs.

The German word you're referring to is "Treppenwitz". It literally translates to "staircase wit" and is used to describe the phenomenon of thinking of a clever or witty comeback or remark too late, usually when you're already leaving the situation. The term originated in the 18th century and is still commonly used in German today.

What is the etymology of this word?

The word "Treppenwitz" is a compound noun that combines the words "Treppe" (staircase) and "Witz" (wit, joke, or pun). The term is believed to have originated in the late 18th century, when the German writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe used it in his work "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship".

The idea behind the word is that a person may come up with a clever or witty response too late, after they have already descended the staircase and left the situation. This could be because the person didn't think of the response at the time, or because they were too nervous or caught off guard to say it.

The term has since become a popular expression in German and is often used to describe the feeling of frustration that comes with thinking of a great comeback or response too late.

Here's a similar vague search that elicited the correct answer after an initial misfire:

What is the name of the book in which all the radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation that mankind has generated and sent out into the cosmos suddenly begin returning to Earth. This swaps all current communication and forces mankind back to pre-industrial times.

The book you are referring to is called "The Return of the Twelves" by Pauline Clarke.

I apologize if this answer is incorrect, as the description you provided does not match the plot of the book "The Return of the Twelves." However, if you could provide me with more details or clarification on the book you are looking for, I would be happy to try and assist you further.

 The book I'm referring to opens with scenes in which people are using horse and buggy and their primary means of transportation. All devices, including cars and motor cycles, have become inoperable due to the return of the human-generated electromagnetic radiation from outer space.

I apologize for the confusion in my previous response. The book you are referring to is actually titled "The Last Gasp" and it is written by Trevor Hoyle.

"The Last Gasp" is a science-fiction novel that depicts a world where all electronic devices suddenly stop working due to an unknown phenomenon, causing a complete breakdown of modern society. The story follows a group of characters as they struggle to survive and adapt to a world without technology, facing new challenges and dangers in the process.

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions!

Here's one last one, a classic in iatrogenic demise:

Who was the scientist who lived long before Pasteur and who proposed a theory of germs but was ridiculed and ended up in an insane asylum?

The scientist you are referring to is Ignaz Semmelweis. He was a Hungarian physician who lived in the 19th century and is now known for his work on the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

In the mid-1800s, Semmelweis was working at a hospital in Vienna where he noticed that women were dying from childbed fever at a much higher rate in the maternity ward where doctors and medical students worked, compared to the ward where midwives worked. He proposed that this was due to doctors and medical students performing autopsies and then going to deliver babies without washing their hands, which was transferring infectious material to the women.

However, his ideas were met with ridicule and opposition from the medical community at the time, and he was eventually committed to an insane asylum, where he died at the age of 47. It was not until many years later, after the work of Louis Pasteur and the development of germ theory, that Semmelweis's ideas were recognized as important contributions to the understanding and prevention of infectious diseases.

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater

For some reason, I got to thinking about the nursery rhyme, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, and decided to explore the background and associations to the rhyme using ChatGPT. Here are the questions that I posed and the AI's responses.

What is the origin and meaning of the nursery rhyme "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater"?

"Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" is a popular English nursery rhyme that dates back to the 18th century. The origins of the rhyme are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in America, possibly during colonial times.

The rhyme goes:

Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,

Had a wife and couldn't keep her;

He put her in a pumpkin shell,

And there he kept her very well.

The meaning of the rhyme is often debated, as it is not entirely clear what is meant by "putting his wife in a pumpkin shell." Some interpretations suggest that the rhyme may be a cautionary tale about the dangers of infidelity and the consequences of mistreating one's spouse. Others argue that it may simply be a nonsensical children's rhyme with no particular moral message.

Overall, the exact meaning of "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" remains open to interpretation and may depend on the individual reader's perspective.

Could you propose one interpretation of the rhyme that delves deeply into the metaphoric aspects of the rhyme?

Certainly! One interpretation of "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" that delves deeply into the metaphoric aspects of the rhyme is that it represents the idea of possessiveness and control within a relationship.

In this interpretation, Peter is portrayed as a possessive and controlling husband who is unable to handle the independence of his wife. By "putting her in a pumpkin shell," he is essentially imprisoning her and exerting complete control over her. The pumpkin shell can be seen as a symbol of isolation and confinement, representing Peter's desire to keep his wife locked away and under his control.

The image of a pumpkin also carries a range of symbolic meanings that reinforce this interpretation. Pumpkins are often associated with harvest time and the end of the growing season, which can be seen as a metaphor for the end of a relationship or the loss of vitality within a partnership. Additionally, the pumpkin's hollow interior can be seen as a symbol of emptiness and lack of fulfillment, suggesting that Peter's possessiveness has left him feeling unfulfilled and empty inside.

In this way, "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of possessiveness and control in relationships, and the importance of respecting one's partner's autonomy and independence.

Could you propose an interpretation of the rhyme that is dark and a little sinister?

Certainly, here's an interpretation of "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" that is darker and more sinister:

In this interpretation, the rhyme suggests that Peter is a violent and abusive husband who has murdered his wife and hidden her body in a pumpkin shell. The lines "Had a wife and couldn't keep her / He put her in a pumpkin shell" can be interpreted as Peter's admission that he was unable to control his wife's behavior and that he resorted to violence to solve his problem.

The image of a pumpkin shell takes on a new meaning in this interpretation. Rather than representing a symbolic container for Peter's wife, it becomes a literal hiding place for her body. The fact that he "kept her very well" implies that he has gone to great lengths to ensure that her body is not discovered.

The rhyme's unsettling imagery and ambiguous language contribute to the sense of unease and horror that underlies this interpretation. The fact that the true meaning of the rhyme is left up to interpretation makes it all the more chilling, as readers are forced to confront the possibility that this seemingly innocuous children's rhyme may actually conceal a dark and disturbing truth.

It's worth noting that this interpretation is just one possible reading of the rhyme, and it may not be the intended meaning. However, the sinister undertones of the rhyme have led many to speculate that there may be more to the story than meets the eye.

Have any short stories been written that make reference to Peter, the pumpkin eater, and his wife?

There are many works of fiction that make reference to "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" or use the character of Peter as inspiration. Here are a few examples:

"The Pumpkin Wife" by John A. Keel - This short story is a horror tale that explores the darker side of the "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" rhyme. In the story, a man becomes obsessed with a pumpkin that he believes is inhabited by the spirit of his murdered wife.

"Peter, Peter" by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - This short story takes a more lighthearted approach to the character of Peter. In the story, a young girl named Mary befriends a pumpkin that she names Peter. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Peter is not an ordinary pumpkin, but a magical creature with the power to grant wishes.

"Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" by Rhonda Parrish - This short story is a retelling of the nursery rhyme that offers a feminist perspective. In the story, Peter's wife is not content to be kept in a pumpkin shell and takes matters into her own hands to escape his control.

These are just a few examples of the many works of fiction that reference or are inspired by "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater." The rhyme's enduring popularity and haunting imagery have made it a rich source of inspiration for writers across a variety of genres.

I'm interested in exploring the associations to the pumpkin in the nursery rhyme. These associations could be historical, etymological, horticultural, literary or even fictional.

The pumpkin is a rich symbol with many cultural, historical, and literary associations that are relevant to the nursery rhyme "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater." Here are a few examples of how the pumpkin has been used and interpreted throughout history and literature:

Historical and horticultural associations - The pumpkin is native to the Americas and has a long history of cultivation by indigenous peoples. It was introduced to Europe by early explorers and quickly became associated with fall harvest festivals such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. In the United States, pumpkins are commonly used for cooking and baking, particularly in pies and other desserts.

Literary associations - The pumpkin is a common symbol in fairy tales and folklore, often representing abundance, fertility, and magic. In Cinderella, the pumpkin is transformed into a carriage that carries Cinderella to the ball. In The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the pumpkin is used as a lantern by the Headless Horseman. The pumpkin's association with Halloween has also made it a popular symbol of horror and the supernatural.

Etymological associations - The word "pumpkin" comes from the Greek word "pepon," meaning "large melon." The French later called it "pompon," which became "pumpion" in English. The word "pumpkin" has also been used as a term of endearment or affection, particularly for children.

Folklore and fictional associations - In some folklore and legends, pumpkins are believed to have magical properties. For example, in some cultures, placing a pumpkin outside your door on Halloween is thought to ward off evil spirits. The pumpkin has also been used in fiction as a vessel for spirits or ghosts, as in "The Pumpkin Wife" by John A. Keel.

These are just a few examples of the many cultural and literary associations to the pumpkin that may be relevant to interpreting the nursery rhyme "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater." The pumpkin's rich history and symbolism provide a wealth of possibilities for exploring the meaning and significance of this classic nursery rhyme.

Are there any historical connections that might like a person called Peter to a pumpkin?

There is no direct historical connection between a person named Peter and a pumpkin, as far as I'm aware. However, there are a few indirect connections that could be relevant:

The name "Peter" comes from the Greek word "petros," meaning "rock" or "stone." Pumpkins are sometimes referred to as "stones" in certain dialects of English, which could be a linguistic association between the two.

In some cultures, pumpkins are associated with masculinity and strength. The name "Peter" is also commonly associated with masculinity, which could create a subtle association between the name and the pumpkin.

Pumpkins have long been associated with fall harvest festivals, particularly Halloween and Thanksgiving. The name "Peter" is often associated with the fall season, as it is a popular name for boys born in September, October, and November.

While there is no direct historical connection between a person named Peter and a pumpkin, these subtle associations could be relevant to interpreting the nursery rhyme "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" and the character of Peter. The pumpkin's associations with strength and masculinity, as well as its cultural associations with fall harvest festivals, may have contributed to the choice of the name Peter in the rhyme.

Some stones are shaped like pumpkins, either naturally or through human intervention. Can you say something about the house that Meher Baba lived in as a boy. I think it was called the Pumpkin House because there was a large stone outside the house that resembled a pumpkin. Meher Baba grew up in Poona where the house is located.

Yes, you are correct that Meher Baba, a spiritual teacher and mystic who was born in India in 1894, grew up in a house known as the "Pumpkin House" in Poona (now called Pune). The house was so named because of a large, naturally-occurring stone on the property that resembled a pumpkin. Meher Baba's family owned the house from 1904 to 1913, and it was a significant place in his early life and spiritual development.

Meher Baba himself wrote about the Pumpkin House in his book "God Speaks," in which he described the stone as a "giant pumpkin" that "stood in silent majesty." He also wrote that the stone was a symbol of the soul, which is "often hidden, but sometimes revealed in its true form."

Today, the Pumpkin House is a popular destination for pilgrims and followers of Meher Baba. The stone pumpkin is still there, and the house has been converted into a museum and spiritual center dedicated to Meher Baba's teachings. The Pumpkin House and the stone pumpkin are significant symbols for Meher Baba's followers, representing the spiritual journey and the discovery of the true self.

It was surprising to me that my investigation should end up with a reference to Meher Baba.

Lost Brisbane

I noticed a site on Facebook called Lost Brisbane and thought I'd make a post about the house at 21 Mayneview Street where I grew up. It's rather special in that all the houses in the street have been replaced by warehouses and office buildings but my old house, at the top of the hill, still survives. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

I crafted what I thought was a well-worded post with my main point being that, while my childhood home was not lost, the neighbourhood had been. The houses and the people who lived in them had gone, replaced by soulless buildings that, though occupied on a 9 to 5 basis, were deserted at night and on weekends.

Well, that post didn't last long. It was quickly deleted with no reason given. Of course, I'd set myself up for rejection yet again. I was reminded of my encounters with the custodians of the OEIS, Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences, who could approve or deny a sequence submission on a whim. Once again, with Lost Brisbane, I was handing someone the power to approve or deny. I won't make that mistake a third time hopefully.

The irony is that I have nothing to do with Facebook and only make use of its associated Messenger service. Occasionally, I'll post an Instagram photo to Facebook as well but that's it. What possessed me to contribute to this Facebook site I don't know. Nostalgia I guess. I thought my house on the hill story was an interesting one and one that could be shared. From now on I'll stick to blog posts that I control and that people can read or not as they see fit.

Five New Indonesian Words

These five words have emerged from KATLA recently. I asked ChatGPT to define these words and use them in sentences.

Question:

I've come across the following Indonesian words recently. They are "bobol", "jubin", "benak", "rancu" and "belia". Can you define each of these words?

Answer:

Sure, I'd be happy to help define these Indonesian words for you!

"Bobol" is a verb that means "to break into" or "to penetrate". It can be used in various contexts, such as when referring to burglars breaking into a house or hackers breaking into a computer system.

"Jubin" refers to "tiles" or "floor tiles" in Indonesian. It is commonly used when referring to ceramic or porcelain tiles that are used to cover floors, walls, or roofs.

"Benak" is a noun that means "the brain" or "the mind". It can also refer to someone's intelligence or mental capacity.

"Rancu" is an adjective that means "confused" or "unclear". It is used to describe a situation, thought, or idea that is difficult to understand or lacks clarity.

"Belia" is an adjective that means "young" or "youthful". It is often used to describe someone who is in their teenage years or early adulthood, or something that is new or fresh.

Question: 

I've come across the following Indonesian words recently. They are "bobol", "jubin", "benak", "rancu" and "belia". Can you use each word in a sentence with an English translation accompanying it.

Answer: 

Sure, I'd be happy to help you with that. Here are some example sentences using each of the Indonesian words you mentioned, along with their English translations:

Bobol:

Maling berhasil bobol pintu rumah dan mencuri barang berharga. 

(Thief successfully broke into the house and stole valuable items.)

Kami khawatir akan adanya upaya bobol lagi di masa depan. 

(We're worried about the possibility of another break-in attempt in the future.)

Jubin:

Lantai kamar mandi terbuat dari jubin keramik. 

(The bathroom floor is made of ceramic tiles.)

Toko itu menjual berbagai macam jubin untuk dinding dan lantai. 

(The store sells various types of tiles for walls and floors.)

Benak:

Saya harus merenungkan masalah ini dengan benak yang jernih. 

(I need to think about this problem with a clear mind.)

Orang yang cerdas memiliki benak yang tajam dan kritis. 

(Intelligent people have sharp and critical minds.)

Rancu:

Argumentasi yang dia sampaikan sangat rancu dan sulit dipahami. 

(The argument he presented was very confusing and difficult to understand.)

Pikiran saya sedang rancu dan sulit untuk fokus pada tugas yang sedang saya kerjakan. 

(My mind is confused and it's difficult to focus on the task at hand.)

Belia:

Siswa belia itu sangat rajin belajar dan berprestasi di sekolah. 

(The young student is very diligent and excels in school.)

Dalam kebudayaan Jawa, belia dipandang sebagai masa transisi antara masa anak-anak dan dewasa. 

(In Javanese culture, "belia" is seen as a transitional period between childhood and adulthood.)

Rebus Puzzles

Today, on the PUZZLE A DAY website,  I was confronted with the following challenge shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Can you solve the two rebus
puzzles that appear below? 

It wasn't clear to me what a rebus puzzle was so I had to look at the answers. It soon became became clear. The top puzzle can be interpreted as "Neither here nor there" and the second as "Pay through the nose". Of course, I'm familiar with this type of puzzle but I wasn't aware that such puzzles went by the name of "rebus". Now I'm the wiser.

I asked ChatGPT the following questions:

What is a rebus puzzle?

A rebus puzzle is a type of word puzzle that uses pictures, symbols, or letters to represent words or parts of words. The puzzle typically presents a series of images, which when deciphered, form a word or phrase. Rebus puzzles are often used in games, brain teasers, and educational settings to challenge people's ability to think creatively and critically.

For example, a rebus puzzle might show a picture of an eye followed by a picture of a heart. The answer to the puzzle would be "I love you," with "eye" representing "I" and "heart" representing "love."

What is origin of the word "rebus" as in "rebus puzzle"?

The word "rebus" comes from the Latin phrase "non verbis sed rebus" which means "not by words but by things." The term was first used to describe a form of representation in which pictures were used to represent words or syllables. In medieval times, rebuses were often used as a form of wordplay in heraldry, where images of animals, objects, and symbols were combined to represent the names or titles of individuals or families. The use of rebuses as a puzzle format emerged in the 17th century, and they have remained popular ever since.

From the same website on March 6th 2023, there are 15 rebus puzzles (shown in Figure 2) relating to Mathematics and Science.

Figure 2: source

At first glance, I have no idea whatever as to how each puzzle encodes the name of a movie but I'll keep working on them. I like the idea of creating rebus puzzles purely out of numbers. Figure 3 shows an example of a rebus puzzle that relies on letters and numbers.

Figure 3: source

It didn't take me too long to figure that one out (safety in numbers). Figure 4 shows a puzzle that conforms to my ideal of only using numbers and mathematical symbols. It comes from a site dedicated to such puzzles.

Figure 4: source

I didn't quite get it. I was thinking along the lines of "the root of ... " and wishing that the number was 666 rather than 66. Then it might have been "the root of all evil" as the number 666 have evil connotations. However, it wasn't "root" but "route" and then of course the answer is simply "route 66". Clever. I may pursue these sorts of puzzles further on Mathematics blog. 

Shades of Meaning

Produk kecantikan remaja
(beauty product for teenagers)

The solution to today's KATLA was belia meaning young. I asked ChatGPT what the difference was between this word and muda, that also means young. 

What is the difference between the Indonesian words "belia" and "muda"? They both mean young but are there differences in how the two words are used or are the two words interchangeable.

The Indonesian words "belia" and "muda" both mean young, but they have slightly different connotations and usage.

"Belia" generally refers to someone who is young and inexperienced, especially in a social or cultural context. It can also imply innocence and naivety. For example, "anak belia" can refer to a young child or a teenager who is still learning about life.

On the other hand, "muda" refers to someone who is young and physically able. It can also imply energy, vitality, and dynamism. For example, "usia muda" can refer to the period of life when someone is in their prime physical condition.

In some cases, these words can be interchangeable, but in other cases, using one over the other may convey a different nuance or meaning. For example, if you describe someone as "muda" it might emphasize their physical capabilities, whereas if you describe someone as "belia" it might emphasize their inexperience or lack of knowledge.

Overall, the usage of "belia" and "muda" depends on the context and the intended meaning of the speaker or writer.

The majority of youth in Indonesia marry young

I was reminded of another meaning for muda and also sought ChatGPT's opinion.

The Indonesian word "muda" can also be applied to colors can it not? Can you give an example of this usage?

Yes, that's correct! The Indonesian word "muda" can also be used to describe colors. When used to describe colors, "muda" usually means light or pale.

For example, you can say "warna hijau muda" to describe the color light green. Similarly, "warna biru muda" would mean light blue and "warna merah muda" would mean pink.

Another example of this usage could be "cat tembok warna kuning muda" which means "light yellow wall paint." In this case, "kuning muda" is used to describe a light or pale shade of yellow.

So, "muda" can be used not only to describe young people or physical conditions, but also to describe colors that are light or pale.

 Given my liking for rhymes, I asked the following:

Are there any Indonesian words that rhyme with the Indonesian word "belia"?

Yes, there are Indonesian words that rhyme with "belia". Here are a few examples:

Kelia: Kelia is an Indonesian word that means a container made from woven bamboo. It rhymes with "belia" as they both end with the same "-lia" sound.

Delia: Although "Delia" is not an Indonesian word, it is a name that is used in Indonesia as well. It also rhymes with "belia" as they both end with the same "-lia" sound.

Jelia: Jelia is an Indonesian word that means feeling jealous or envious. It also rhymes with "belia" as they both end with the same "-lia" sound.

These are just a few examples of Indonesian words that rhyme with "belia". There might be more words that rhyme with "belia" depending on the context or the dialect of Indonesian spoken.

Belia ends up sounding like a cross between "billya" and "bellya" by the way. The same applies to the rhyming words kelia, delia and jelia. The word kelia is also used as a name in Indonesian and means warm-hearted (link). There's no reference in Google Translate to its meaning a container. Jelia translates as "jelly" rather than "jealous". 

As usual with ChatGPT, its answers should NOT be taken as gospel. Further investigation should always be carried out. A flagrant example of its mendacity is a query that I carried out  today (March 28th) which is shown below together with part of the response.

Historically speaking then, are there any important events that have happened on March 28th.

Yes, there have been several important historical events that have occurred on March 28th. Here are some examples:

2005: The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, occurred off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami that killed over 200,000 people in 14 countries.

This earthquake occurred on December 28th 2004 and NOT on March 28th 2005. ChatGPT is quick to admit its mistakes however:

In an earlier response by you to my query about important events happening on March 28th, you stated that the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake occurred on March 28th 2005. In fact, it occurred on December 26th 2004. How do you account for this error on your part?

I apologize for the error in my earlier response regarding the date of the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. You are correct that the earthquake occurred on December 26th, 2004, not March 28th, 2005.

As an AI language model, I strive to provide accurate and reliable information to the best of my ability based on the data available in my training corpus. However, I am not infallible, and errors can occasionally occur due to a number of factors, including data limitations, misinterpretation of the input, or programming bugs.

I appreciate you bringing this to my attention and I will ensure to be more careful in the future when providing dates for important events. Thank you for helping me improve my accuracy and for your understanding.

Anyway, let's move on. I've made my point. Of course, one can't forget the similarity between the two Indonesian words muda and mudah. I asked ChatGPT for similar pairs of words. I've added commentary (in small print) to the examples in the light of my suspicions about ChatGPT's veracity.

The Indonesian words "muda" and "mudah" sound very much a like. Can you give other examples of two such words in Indonesian and differ only by the addition of a final "h" to one of them?

Sure, here are some examples:

"cinta" (love) and "cintah" (beloved)

Google Translate does not render "beloved" as cintah but instead uses the passive form of the active verb cintai. For example:

The lover and the beloved are really one and the same, even though the lover does not realise this until the very end.

Pecinta dan yang dicintai benar-benar satu dan sama, meski sang pecinta tidak menyadarinya sampai akhir. 

As a phrase on its own, " my beloved" is translated as kekasihku by both Google Translate and DeepL.

"ragu" (doubt) and "raguh" (hesitant)

The word "hesitant" is most commonly translated as ragu ragu. There's no entry for raguh in the dictionary.

"lupa" (forget) and "lupah" (forgotten)

The word "forgotten" is commonly translated by terlupakan as in generasi yang terlupakan (the forgotten generation). There's no entry for lupah in the dictionary.

"tangga" (stairs) and "tanggah" (floor level)

Google Translate renders tanggah as "kitchen" and "floor level" as tingkat lantai. 

"tepi" (edge) and "tepih" (rug)

No evidence that tepih means rug using translation tools or dictionary.

"bawa" (bring) and "bahwa" (that)

"pura" (temple) and "purah" (worthless)

There's no entry in the dictionary for purah. 

"tua" (old) and "tuah" (fortune)

  Google Translate does render tuah as "luck" but there is no dictionary entry. 

"hina" (insult) and "hinah" (insulted)

There is no dictionary entry for hinah. 

"rasa" (taste/feeling) and "rasah" (feeling/emotion)

There is no dictionary entry for rasah. 

It's important to note that the addition of "h" at the end of the word changes the meaning of the word, and they cannot be used interchangeably.

So this final effort is dubious to say the least. Where ChatGPT is getting its information from I've no idea and its response is useless for a non-native speaker of the language, serving only to confuse. Still, the exercise has been useful in showing the weaknesses and idiosyncrasies of ChatGPT.