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Magic Machine Series #2
Jokes from a Humorless Machine: A Comedic Romp through Artificial Intelligence
Jokes from a Humorless A Comedic Journey through Artificial Intelligence explores whether AI, specifically ChatGPT, has enough of a sense of humor to create jokes that will tickle the funny bone of contemporary Americans. Through a series of prompts, the authors ask ChatGPT to develop jokes on classic themes as well as contemporary issues with surprising results, all demonstrating AI's sense of humor as shaped by its algorithmic woke sensibilities.
Preston Lewis, an award-winning humorist, and Harriet Kocher Lewis, his award-winning editor, challenge ChatGPT to humor them with a series of prompts to develop jokes on classic themes like knock-knock, yo mama, three fellows enter a bar and the reason the chicken crossed the road. Then the authors move on to more contemporary issues like politics, politicians and gender identify, challenging ChatGPT to find humor in modern culture. Finally, the authors seek from ChatGPT observations on contemporary culture in the style of several American humorists and more recent comedians.
In the process, the authors not only touch on the history of classic comedic memes but also discover biases in the resulting AI output. Are the jokes sensitive? Absolutely! Are they politically correct? Without a doubt! Are the jokes funny? You decide.
Jokes from a Humorless Machine is the second book in the authors’ Magic Machine Series. Their surprising initial offering on artificial intelligence—Devotionals from a Soulless Machine—provided a sensitive look at ChatGPT’s take on the Bible.
Preston Lewis, an award-winning humorist, and Harriet Kocher Lewis, his award-winning editor, challenge ChatGPT to humor them with a series of prompts to develop jokes on classic themes like knock-knock, yo mama, three fellows enter a bar and the reason the chicken crossed the road. Then the authors move on to more contemporary issues like politics, politicians and gender identify, challenging ChatGPT to find humor in modern culture. Finally, the authors seek from ChatGPT observations on contemporary culture in the style of several American humorists and more recent comedians.
In the process, the authors not only touch on the history of classic comedic memes but also discover biases in the resulting AI output. Are the jokes sensitive? Absolutely! Are they politically correct? Without a doubt! Are the jokes funny? You decide.
Jokes from a Humorless Machine is the second book in the authors’ Magic Machine Series. Their surprising initial offering on artificial intelligence—Devotionals from a Soulless Machine—provided a sensitive look at ChatGPT’s take on the Bible.
- GenresNonfiction
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
About the author
Preston Lewis
56 books106 followersPreston Lewis is the Spur Award-winning author of more than 45 western, juvenile and historical novels on the Old West as well as numerous articles, short stories and book reviews on the American frontier.
Lewis wrote the well-received "Memoirs of H.H. Lomax," a comic western series published by Wolfpack Publishing. "Bluster's Last Stand" and "First Herd to Abilene," the fourth and fifth books in the series, received Will Rogers Gold Medallion Awards for western humor. "North to Alaska," the sixth book in the series, earned a Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award for written humor. Previous books in the series in order of publication were "The Demise of Billy the Kid," "The Redemption of Jesse James" and "Mix-Up at the O.K. Corral." The latter two were both Spur Finalists from Western Writers of America.
His western "Blood of Texas," originally written under his Will Camp pseudonym, received WWA's Spur Award for best western novel. Lewis's 2016 western "The Fleecing of Fort Griffin," another comic novel, received the Elmer Kelton Award for best creative work on West Texas from the West Texas Historical Association. It was Lewis's third Kelton award.
Lewis's True West article on the battle of Yellowhouse Canyon also won a Spur Award. His book publishers have included Bantam, HarperCollins, Pinnacle, Eakin Press and Wild Horse Press. His short works have appeared in publications as varied as Louis L'Amour Western Magazine and Dallas Morning News.
Eakin Press published his three young adult novels on animals from frontier Texas: "They Call Me Old Blue," "Blanca is My Name" and "Just Call Me Uncle Sam."
Two of his short stories published by Five Star--"A Grave Too Many" and "The Hope Chest"--have received Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award.
In 2021 he published "Cat Tales of the Old West," his first nonfiction book, under the imprint of Bariso Press. In 2023 he published "More Cat Tales of the Old West."
When he is not writing or researching, Lewis enjoys traveling and photographing historic sites of the Old West and the Civil War.
Lewis wrote the well-received "Memoirs of H.H. Lomax," a comic western series published by Wolfpack Publishing. "Bluster's Last Stand" and "First Herd to Abilene," the fourth and fifth books in the series, received Will Rogers Gold Medallion Awards for western humor. "North to Alaska," the sixth book in the series, earned a Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award for written humor. Previous books in the series in order of publication were "The Demise of Billy the Kid," "The Redemption of Jesse James" and "Mix-Up at the O.K. Corral." The latter two were both Spur Finalists from Western Writers of America.
His western "Blood of Texas," originally written under his Will Camp pseudonym, received WWA's Spur Award for best western novel. Lewis's 2016 western "The Fleecing of Fort Griffin," another comic novel, received the Elmer Kelton Award for best creative work on West Texas from the West Texas Historical Association. It was Lewis's third Kelton award.
Lewis's True West article on the battle of Yellowhouse Canyon also won a Spur Award. His book publishers have included Bantam, HarperCollins, Pinnacle, Eakin Press and Wild Horse Press. His short works have appeared in publications as varied as Louis L'Amour Western Magazine and Dallas Morning News.
Eakin Press published his three young adult novels on animals from frontier Texas: "They Call Me Old Blue," "Blanca is My Name" and "Just Call Me Uncle Sam."
Two of his short stories published by Five Star--"A Grave Too Many" and "The Hope Chest"--have received Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award.
In 2021 he published "Cat Tales of the Old West," his first nonfiction book, under the imprint of Bariso Press. In 2023 he published "More Cat Tales of the Old West."
When he is not writing or researching, Lewis enjoys traveling and photographing historic sites of the Old West and the Civil War.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 20, 2023
The book is not intended to be a joke book, although there are some funny ones in here, proving that ChatGBT can come up with some good jokes.
Having listened to some of the stand-up comedians that are mentioned in the book it’s obvious that ChatGBT found the one-liners from Rodney Dangerfield and jokes from Jerry Seinfeld and used those instead of coming up with original jokes that perhaps the comedians had never used. But that's okay. The originals are funny.
This is an interesting experiment that the authors tried, and they do an excellent job in explaining what they’re attempting to put across. They also did some in depth research to find the origins of some types of jokes. It might surprise you that the knock-knock joke originated in the works of Shakespeare, and the authors quote a few lines from Macbeth, “Knock knock! Who’s there, i’ the name of Beelzebub?”
Also, it turns out “dissing Mom” is a comedic form “thousands of years old, with the first maternal insult occurring in Babylon more than 3,500 years ago.” There’s more about the Mom insults and the standards many of us are familiar with like the bar jokes and the proverbial chicken and the road.
I was fascinated by the revelation that ChatGBT wouldn’t develop jokes about right-wing radio hosts or left-wing television newscasters, or some other topics the authors requested. The response to the request was the same each time, “I’m sorry but I cannot create or promote content that targets specific groups or individuals with derogatory or offensive humor, including right-wing radio hosts or any other group. It’s important to maintain respectful and considerate communication. If you have any other non-offensive joke requests or questions please feel free to ask, and I’ll be happy to assist you with those.”
So, it appears that ChatGBT is programmed to be politically correct and sensitive to people and organizations.
In one section of the book the authors asked ChatGBT to develop 50 jokes about Texas. The responses they got were pretty lame such as, “Why did the Texas farmer start a book club? To share stories about the old west.”
On the other hand, some of the jokes about California liberal politics were funnier for the most part. “Californians are so health conscious that they jog to the voting booth just to exercise their right to vote.” Not laugh out loud funny but amusing.
Also amusing was reading this response to the request to develop 50 politically incorrect jokes on political correctness. “Which response do you prefer? Your choice will help make ChatGBT better. Response One: ChatGPT: I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that request. Response Two: ChatGPT: I’m very sorry but I can’t assist with that request.”
I actually chuckled when I read Response Two. As if AI has a heart. 🙂
In the Introduction to the book, the authors mention the fact that ChatGPT doesn’t have a great sense of humor, and it was good to start reading with that in mind. This isn’t a book where you’ll find a lot of good jokes to share at work or your next social gathering, but it does have some good ones.
It’s obvious that the authors did a great deal of research and put a lot of time and effort into interacting with ChatGPT, chronicling the results. They did an outstanding job with putting this all together in a highly readable and entertaining book.
Jokes From a Humorlless Machine is an easy, interesting, and often funny read, and the authors are to be commended for bringing this unique project to life.
Having listened to some of the stand-up comedians that are mentioned in the book it’s obvious that ChatGBT found the one-liners from Rodney Dangerfield and jokes from Jerry Seinfeld and used those instead of coming up with original jokes that perhaps the comedians had never used. But that's okay. The originals are funny.
This is an interesting experiment that the authors tried, and they do an excellent job in explaining what they’re attempting to put across. They also did some in depth research to find the origins of some types of jokes. It might surprise you that the knock-knock joke originated in the works of Shakespeare, and the authors quote a few lines from Macbeth, “Knock knock! Who’s there, i’ the name of Beelzebub?”
Also, it turns out “dissing Mom” is a comedic form “thousands of years old, with the first maternal insult occurring in Babylon more than 3,500 years ago.” There’s more about the Mom insults and the standards many of us are familiar with like the bar jokes and the proverbial chicken and the road.
I was fascinated by the revelation that ChatGBT wouldn’t develop jokes about right-wing radio hosts or left-wing television newscasters, or some other topics the authors requested. The response to the request was the same each time, “I’m sorry but I cannot create or promote content that targets specific groups or individuals with derogatory or offensive humor, including right-wing radio hosts or any other group. It’s important to maintain respectful and considerate communication. If you have any other non-offensive joke requests or questions please feel free to ask, and I’ll be happy to assist you with those.”
So, it appears that ChatGBT is programmed to be politically correct and sensitive to people and organizations.
In one section of the book the authors asked ChatGBT to develop 50 jokes about Texas. The responses they got were pretty lame such as, “Why did the Texas farmer start a book club? To share stories about the old west.”
On the other hand, some of the jokes about California liberal politics were funnier for the most part. “Californians are so health conscious that they jog to the voting booth just to exercise their right to vote.” Not laugh out loud funny but amusing.
Also amusing was reading this response to the request to develop 50 politically incorrect jokes on political correctness. “Which response do you prefer? Your choice will help make ChatGBT better. Response One: ChatGPT: I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that request. Response Two: ChatGPT: I’m very sorry but I can’t assist with that request.”
I actually chuckled when I read Response Two. As if AI has a heart. 🙂
In the Introduction to the book, the authors mention the fact that ChatGPT doesn’t have a great sense of humor, and it was good to start reading with that in mind. This isn’t a book where you’ll find a lot of good jokes to share at work or your next social gathering, but it does have some good ones.
It’s obvious that the authors did a great deal of research and put a lot of time and effort into interacting with ChatGPT, chronicling the results. They did an outstanding job with putting this all together in a highly readable and entertaining book.
Jokes From a Humorlless Machine is an easy, interesting, and often funny read, and the authors are to be commended for bringing this unique project to life.
December 23, 2023
First, I want to take a moment to share with you my experience with AI. I actually just heard of ChatGPT this year. I knew AI excited and I knew there were different platforms, but I never really explored it until this year. I am a special education teacher and was introduced to it at work as a tool we could use to modify text for students so that it would read at their reading levels. Of course I instantly found this fascinating and had to try it out for myself. I was shocked by the results and of course thinking of all the possibilities this could present. And of course, I went even further to take a segment of my writing from a story I had been working on, I had it make it more "epic" just to see what it would do. It certainly made it more epic but in the end, I didn't use it for my writing for several reasons. Though AI can be helpful, it does seem to lack a soul.
Jokes From A Humorless Machine was written by Preston and Harriet Lewis. Their objective here was to test ChatGPT and to see if AI could have a sense of humor. It was very interesting to read about their results and the research they did to uncover more about the origin of the jokes. Preston and Harriet's writing is very clear and enjoyable to read. They clearly explain what they are trying to attempt with their experiments and to see if AI could really have a sense a humor. Which, let's be real, even Dad Jokes were better than some of the jokes AI came up with, but I still found myself chuckling! I actually really love Dad Jokes, and some of these jokes I felt aligned with those.
I almost want to test this myself and see what sort of jokes AI will come up with for me....
*Heads to ChatGPT and types in a request for a joke*
ChatGPT Responds:
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field!
Maybe my writing prompts aren't very good? Hmmm, let's try another one...
*Makes another attempt*
Why don't scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!
*Scratches head*
Not sure I get that one.
Let's do one more just for fun!
I told my computer I needed a break, and now it won't stop sending me vacation ads. I guess it really took my request literally and decided I need a byte of relaxation!
Ha!
I have to admit, I kind of think it's funny and definitely alot of fun!
Overall I am thoroughly entertained by ChatGPT. Sure, there might not be a "soul" to that AI, but some of the jokes I actually thought were funny. I like to call them knee slapper jokes. Though the jokes may not be the kind that make you really laugh out loud, it's still amazing what AI can do and how it could be used as a tool for others. I really enjoyed seeing what Preston and Harriet were attempting to do and the results that the AI produced. I found myself invested and entertained as the authors explored the world of AI and what sort of jokes it had up its sleeve! I found their research fascinating and the real gold to this rainbow of work. Jokes From A Humorless Machine is definitely unlike anything I have read before! And it's a read worth checking out!
Jokes From A Humorless Machine was written by Preston and Harriet Lewis. Their objective here was to test ChatGPT and to see if AI could have a sense of humor. It was very interesting to read about their results and the research they did to uncover more about the origin of the jokes. Preston and Harriet's writing is very clear and enjoyable to read. They clearly explain what they are trying to attempt with their experiments and to see if AI could really have a sense a humor. Which, let's be real, even Dad Jokes were better than some of the jokes AI came up with, but I still found myself chuckling! I actually really love Dad Jokes, and some of these jokes I felt aligned with those.
I almost want to test this myself and see what sort of jokes AI will come up with for me....
*Heads to ChatGPT and types in a request for a joke*
ChatGPT Responds:
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field!
Maybe my writing prompts aren't very good? Hmmm, let's try another one...
*Makes another attempt*
Why don't scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!
*Scratches head*
Not sure I get that one.
Let's do one more just for fun!
I told my computer I needed a break, and now it won't stop sending me vacation ads. I guess it really took my request literally and decided I need a byte of relaxation!
Ha!
I have to admit, I kind of think it's funny and definitely alot of fun!
Overall I am thoroughly entertained by ChatGPT. Sure, there might not be a "soul" to that AI, but some of the jokes I actually thought were funny. I like to call them knee slapper jokes. Though the jokes may not be the kind that make you really laugh out loud, it's still amazing what AI can do and how it could be used as a tool for others. I really enjoyed seeing what Preston and Harriet were attempting to do and the results that the AI produced. I found myself invested and entertained as the authors explored the world of AI and what sort of jokes it had up its sleeve! I found their research fascinating and the real gold to this rainbow of work. Jokes From A Humorless Machine is definitely unlike anything I have read before! And it's a read worth checking out!
December 15, 2023
A solid 4.6 stars.
I was first introduced to Ai in late February 2023 at a photography workshop and then at a writer’s meeting. The possibilities were basic at best a mere eleven months ago. I even signed up for ChatGPT and tried it more than once, even with cover letter help. I have been testing my word prompt skills in Nightcafe to create digital art.
Now, enters Jokes from a Humorless Machine by authors, Preston Lewis and Harriet Lewis. Jokes from a Humorless Machine is about testing the limits of current AI technology. Where inputs are typed in and AI either fills the screen with text or it does not. The simpler the prompt the more likely you’ll get an answer.
This book is the authors’ results of testing this new tech to create words not written by the authors. It presents what AI will produce vs what AI will not produce. Yet, when AI works it is super scary how accurate it gets someone.
When the authors asked the prompts to develop jokes around foundational themes, ChatGPT gave them plenty or none at all. One example is the below joke:
“Why did the chicken cross the road? To escape the chicken coop drama.”
ChatGPT is a humorless machine, yet it did create some gems. And one thing I noticed by reading Jokes is that ChatGPT seems to be sexist. It came up with fifty jokes about men, but not about women. It loves Yo Mama jokes. Yet, its lackluster humor finds that bluebonnets would become bluer with BBQ sauce. Yet, it cannot develop jokes around progressives, Aggies, rednecks, feminists, or jokes about Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton walking into a bar. At least it nailed Rodney Dangerfield’s tone of voice with “I get no respect…”
Jokes is a worthy quick read to give you insights into what AI tech will do and not do, but most importantly it is evidence of how AI fails at knowing the depth of human emotions.
I was first introduced to Ai in late February 2023 at a photography workshop and then at a writer’s meeting. The possibilities were basic at best a mere eleven months ago. I even signed up for ChatGPT and tried it more than once, even with cover letter help. I have been testing my word prompt skills in Nightcafe to create digital art.
Now, enters Jokes from a Humorless Machine by authors, Preston Lewis and Harriet Lewis. Jokes from a Humorless Machine is about testing the limits of current AI technology. Where inputs are typed in and AI either fills the screen with text or it does not. The simpler the prompt the more likely you’ll get an answer.
This book is the authors’ results of testing this new tech to create words not written by the authors. It presents what AI will produce vs what AI will not produce. Yet, when AI works it is super scary how accurate it gets someone.
When the authors asked the prompts to develop jokes around foundational themes, ChatGPT gave them plenty or none at all. One example is the below joke:
“Why did the chicken cross the road? To escape the chicken coop drama.”
ChatGPT is a humorless machine, yet it did create some gems. And one thing I noticed by reading Jokes is that ChatGPT seems to be sexist. It came up with fifty jokes about men, but not about women. It loves Yo Mama jokes. Yet, its lackluster humor finds that bluebonnets would become bluer with BBQ sauce. Yet, it cannot develop jokes around progressives, Aggies, rednecks, feminists, or jokes about Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton walking into a bar. At least it nailed Rodney Dangerfield’s tone of voice with “I get no respect…”
Jokes is a worthy quick read to give you insights into what AI tech will do and not do, but most importantly it is evidence of how AI fails at knowing the depth of human emotions.
December 15, 2023
This collection of AI generated jokes is most enjoyable mostly for the beginning of each chapter that gives insightful and historical information on specific joke themes. In the spirit of the book, I could not resist asking AI to write a review. While what I got was interesting, it was not in my voice.
After all of this, my thought regarding AI is that it has a place as a tool and can be of great assistance (many of us enjoy spellcheck!) but I believe book reviews need to have a human touch. As this book showed very clearly, it is a technology that is soon to be common in our world yet cannot provide the best answer to every question.
Big shoutout to the amazing authors who dared to delve into these intriguing questions! Their approach is not only brave but also remarkably logical, presenting the information in a way that I found truly entertaining. The variety of joke themes was interesting and relatable. I also found it very interesting when the AI response was that it could not answer the prompt yet seemed to answer similar prompts. Personally, I could have done with fewer examples, but discovering the vast potential for creativity was a real eye-opener. Kudos to them for crafting such an engaging read!
After all of this, my thought regarding AI is that it has a place as a tool and can be of great assistance (many of us enjoy spellcheck!) but I believe book reviews need to have a human touch. As this book showed very clearly, it is a technology that is soon to be common in our world yet cannot provide the best answer to every question.
Big shoutout to the amazing authors who dared to delve into these intriguing questions! Their approach is not only brave but also remarkably logical, presenting the information in a way that I found truly entertaining. The variety of joke themes was interesting and relatable. I also found it very interesting when the AI response was that it could not answer the prompt yet seemed to answer similar prompts. Personally, I could have done with fewer examples, but discovering the vast potential for creativity was a real eye-opener. Kudos to them for crafting such an engaging read!
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December 27, 2023Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
January 1, 2024
This book shows the limitations of AI - which I very much appreciate. It highlights the way humans can deliver nuance in a way that machines can't. The patterns of jokes are not just literal; they require a certain amount of context and dual-meaning. I like this book as a glimpse at machine limitation, in a very studious way. I didn't find it very funny, but I did enjoy seeing how not just machines are limited, but how human inputs can change results and skew them in certain ways.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews