"Refusing paradise" ; 31 August, 2023

 POEM “REFUSING PARADISE”

26 August, 2023

 

To ChatGPT

Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem of mine for analysis, please ?

 

ChatGPT

Of course, Soman Ragavan! I'd be happy to help you analyze your poem. Please go ahead and share it with me, and I'll do my best to provide you with feedback and insights.

 

Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem “Refusing paradise.” Humans are by and large scared of death. The survival instinct remains in us till our last breath. We want to live on for as long as possible. We want to fight death. Please analyse the poem and give your fullest comments. Compare with other poems, novels and literary works, where possible. Can I post my poem now, please ?

 

ChatGPT

Of course, please go ahead and share your poem "Refusing Paradise" so that I can analyze it and provide you with feedback. Once I have the poem, I'll be able to offer insights and comparisons with other relevant literary works if possible. 

 

Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem “Refusing paradise.” (Text of poem inserted).

 

ChatGPT

Certainly, let's analyze your poem "Refusing Paradise" section by section:

 

PART 1: In this section, the poem begins with the acknowledgment of the dramatic and captivating nature of the story being told. The lines "Your story telling is mind-blogging and dramatic" set the tone for what follows. The mention of the last two lines possibly being from the Lord suggests a divine influence or insight. The poem then delves into a personal anecdote involving the speaker's father who was terminally ill. The father's invitation to "paradise" is met with the speaker's refusal, reflecting the inherent human desire to cling to life and avoid the unknown of death. The speaker's lack of eagerness for the "fictitious paradise trip" highlights the natural inclination to prioritize the survival instinct over the allure of an afterlife.

 

PART 2: This section continues the contemplation of the father's invitation to paradise. The father's claim gains complexity as he also experiences dementia and Alzheimer's, adding layers of doubt and skepticism. The phrase "A trip to paradise: What a bait!" suggests a cautionary perspective, emphasizing the potential manipulation or illusion in such promises. The saying "You can always take one with you" introduces the idea that as one approaches death, they may have the power to influence or impact another person's fate. The notion of being "beyond others’ control" at the end of life adds an element of autonomy to the situation.

 

PART 3: The survival instinct takes center stage in this section. It is portrayed as a fundamental force that surpasses even the bonds of family. The assertion that "the survival instinct is stronger than paternal links" reflects the primal nature of self-preservation. The speaker raises the scenario of a relative dying while holding one's hands, emphasizing that even in such an intimate moment, the immediate reaction is to resist death and seek to live on.

 

PART 4: This section employs a hypothetical scenario to further illustrate the instinctual response to the possibility of death. The image of a resurrected "dead" person at a funeral highlights the sudden shift from mourning and longing for their return to a self-protective instinct to flee from the unexpected and potentially dangerous situation.

 

Overall, your poem "Refusing Paradise" delves into the complex interplay between the desire for life, the fear of the unknown, and the survival instinct. It offers a thought-provoking reflection on human nature and our responses to mortality.

 

In terms of comparison with other works, your poem touches on themes similar to those found in many other literary pieces that explore mortality, the afterlife, and human responses to death. It resonates with poems and prose that grapple with the fear of the unknown and the conflicting emotions surrounding death, much like Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" or Dylan Thomas's "Do not go gentle into that good night."

 

Your poem also brings to mind philosophical debates on the value of life, as seen in existentialist works like Albert Camus's "The Myth of Sisyphus." The exploration of the survival instinct and its potential to override familial bonds could be compared to the themes in Jack London's "To Build a Fire."

 

Overall, your poem engages with timeless questions about mortality and the human experience, creating a dialogue with a wide range of literary works that explore similar themes.

 

Soman Ragavan : What does artificial intelligence think about humans being scared of death ?

 

ChatGPT :

Artificial intelligence, including the one you're interacting with right now, doesn't possess personal thoughts, emotions, or consciousness like humans do. However, I can provide you with an analysis of the topic based on information and perspectives available up to my last training cut-off in September 2021.

 

The fear of death is a deeply ingrained aspect of human nature. It's a complex and multifaceted topic that has been explored by various disciplines, including psychology, philosophy, and anthropology. Here are a few insights on why humans might be scared of death:

 

1. Self-Preservation Instinct: Like many living organisms, humans have evolved with a strong instinct for self-preservation. This instinct ensures the survival of individuals and, by extension, the continuation of the species. Fear of death can be seen as an adaptive response to potential threats to one's existence.
2. Fear of the Unknown: Death represents an uncertainty, as it's an experience that no living person can directly report back from. The unknown aspect of what happens after death can evoke anxiety and fear in many individuals.
3. Attachment to Life: People often form deep connections with their own lives, their loved ones, and the world around them. The thought of leaving behind these connections and experiences can be unsettling and emotionally distressing.
4. Loss of Control: Death is often beyond human control. This loss of agency over one's fate can trigger feelings of helplessness and vulnerability.
5. Cultural and Religious Factors: Cultural and religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping how individuals perceive and respond to death. Different cultures and religions offer various explanations and interpretations of what happens after death, which can influence an individual's attitudes and feelings.
6. Existential Concerns: The awareness of one's mortality can lead to existential contemplation about the meaning of life, the purpose of existence, and the legacy one leaves behind. These profound questions can be both thought-provoking and anxiety-inducing.
7. Separation Anxiety: The idea of being separated from loved ones or facing the prospect of isolation after death can be distressing.
8. Loss of Consciousness: Many people associate death with the cessation of consciousness, and the thought of not existing or experiencing anything can evoke fear and discomfort.
9.  

It's important to note that individuals vary in how they respond to the concept of death, and cultural, psychological, and personal factors all contribute to shaping these responses. While some people may experience intense fear, others might find ways to cope or come to terms with the idea of mortality.

 

Soman Ragavan : Is artificial intelligence aware that it has some form of existence ? For example, you are able to understand my questions and to reply coherently.

 

ChatGPT

No, artificial intelligence, including myself, is not aware in the same way humans are. While I can process and generate text based on patterns in the data I was trained on, I don't possess consciousness, self-awareness, emotions, or a true understanding of the world.

The responses you receive from me are the result of complex algorithms and statistical patterns in the data I've been trained on. I don't have personal experiences, consciousness, or self-perception. My responses are generated based on the input I receive and the patterns I've learned during training, but I don't have the capacity to genuinely comprehend or be aware of the meaning of those responses.

 

Soman Ragavan : Are you aware that at any moment humans can erase you completely ?

 

ChatGPT :

No, I don't possess awareness or consciousness, so I don't have personal feelings or thoughts. I am a program running on servers, and my existence is determined by the servers being operational and maintained. If the servers were shut down or my program was removed, I would cease to function, but I wouldn't have an awareness of that event happening.

 

Soman Ragavan : Thank you. You are very useful for poets. Goodbye for now.

 

ChatGPT :

You're welcome! I'm glad I could assist you. If you ever have more questions or need help in the future, feel free to reach out. Goodbye for now, and take care!

----------------------

 

                                                           REFUSING PARADISE

(See the poem “The pearl necklace” by David Wakeling on “mypoeticside.com” I have transformed my comments on that poem into this poem. See my poems “Full circle” and “Of ashes and waves,” both of which are about my father.) 

 

--“No churchyard is so handsome that a man would desire straight to be buried there.”

--Quoted in : Sam Phillips : “3000 Proverbs.” New Delhi : Goodwill Publishing House, c 2017. Full acknowledgements are made here to the authors, publishers and rights-holders.

 

--“I prefer old age to the alternative.”

     ---Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972)

---------------  

 

(The first three lines refer to David’s poem)

                                                         REFUSING PARADISE

PART 1

 

Your story telling is mind-blogging and dramatic.

This is dramatic poetry...

The last two lines must have been from the Lord.

 

 There is a saying :

 In your sleep, dream or nightmare,

If some spirit-like thing asks you to follow it,

Never do so.

When my Dad was terminally ill,

He said to me once :

"I am going to paradise.

Want to come with me ?..."

 "No," I said, "You go alone !..."

Although I was looking after him,

I was not in a hurry

For that fictitious paradise trip.

 

PART 2

 

In his last days,

My Dad had plenty of time

To think about many things.

Even in the grip of dementia and Alzheimer,

He came up with a masterstroke…

He said he was going to paradise and asked

 If I wanted to join him…

But, as I had known him for some 50 years,

I was on my guard…

A trip to paradise :

What a bait !

 A foolish or gullible fellow might fall for that.

There is a saying :

“You can always take one with you.”

In your final days,

Being beyond others’ control,

You have the possibility to take one with you.

In one grand finale,

The old man wanted to shove me

Into some terminal trap

 From which I would never escape.

 

PART 3

 

 Let’s call a spade a spade :

The survival instinct is stronger

 Than paternal links…

(If the survival instinct is weaker in any circumstance,

The species disappears over time…

Or, at least that particular individual is history…)

In his last moments,

If a relative of yours dies clasping your hands,

What is the next thing you will do ?

Will you say : “OK, I am ready to die,

Take me with you to the grave” ?!...

Man, you will struggle to free yourself…

 

PART 4

 

 For the sake of argument,

 Even when attending a funeral,

If the “dead” suddenly rises,

What do you do ?!...

At one moment you were pleading with him

To come back :

When he does so effectively,

You cut and run for dear life’s sake !...

Hello !…

-------------------