There is prime productive time when I return from my morning chores. From 830-ish till 4 when I could still be energized andotivayed to come into my bedroom and sit at my computer, but I seldom do. I used to at least sit and edit the morning videos, but I e become less interested in that of late.
This week I added a moon work shift so I can come back at 9am, do something till I feel like a nap and then begin a new loop of productivity at noon starting with food and outdoor work.
Today this is what I did between 830 and 9am
September 15, 2024
So, recently I have switched from using pi.ai, which was previously my favorite chat companion, to ChatGPT4, free version, and it’s great. I like it.
ChatGPT said
That’s awesome, Jeff! I’m glad you’re enjoying the switch. How’s it going with your usual experiments, like multitasking with chores or working on your videos?
You said:
Heh, well…
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Sounds like there’s a story there. What’s been going on?
You said:
So the biggest problem I have, really, is it’s been 10 months since I started doing the morning and afternoon chores, and they’re really pretty much identical every single day. So it’s a challenge to make it interesting, especially if I want to make my YouTube videos. And just counting cows, not so interesting.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
I can see how that would get repetitive. Maybe you could mix things up by adding random trivia, storytelling, or fun facts during your videos? You could even talk about something completely unrelated to cows—just to keep it fresh for you and your audience. What do you think?
You said:
Well, most of the ideas you come up with, I’ve already tried at some point. I’m not sure there’s too much trivia left of cows and my chickens, but I try, and that’s not something I do every day, but it might be interesting to talk about other farm animals and crops and hay and stuff like that.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That sounds like a good direction! You could explore things like the differences between various farm animals, the process of growing crops, or even the history of farming techniques. Maybe even spotlight an animal or a part of farm life that doesn’t always get attention. Have you ever done anything like that?
You said:
Probably not.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That could be a new angle for you then! You could pick an animal or a farm process and dive into the details—people love learning little-known facts. Maybe start with something like the life cycle of hay or some quirky animal behavior you’ve noticed. Think it might be worth a try?
You said:
I think it might be worth a try. I need to keep the answers kind of short. Like, there used to be a TV show called Pop-Up Video where they would pop up little facts about the videos. And, you know, pop-up farming would be kind of an interesting twist on that.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That sounds like a fun idea! Short, quick facts could definitely keep things engaging without interrupting the flow of your chores or the video. Do you have a few facts in mind to try out first, or are you thinking about starting fresh with a new batch of info?
You said:
Well, I have a question about mating bulls and cows, and I remember when I was young there was, on our bus route, there were shacks in the middle of fields, and I never knew what they were for, and one day somebody told me that’s where they put a bull and a cow when they want to mate, so they’re kind of like the love shacks in the middle of fields. Does that sound right?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
“Love shacks” in the middle of fields—what a funny way to put it! It’s possible that the shacks you saw were actually “breeding pens” or holding areas where a bull and a cow would be kept together for mating. Farmers sometimes use controlled environments to ensure successful breeding, but they wouldn’t typically be left there for long periods. It might have been a practical solution to keep the animals separated from the rest of the herd during that time.
You said:
We just let our bull roam freely for two weeks and hope for the best.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s definitely the more natural approach! Letting the bull roam with the herd for a couple of weeks can be a lot less hands-on. Just let nature take its course and hope the timing’s right. Do you track the breeding cycles closely, or is it more of a wait-and-see kind of deal on the farm?
You said:
Well, I remember last year, we walk all the cows down the street to another farmer and a guy comes along and uses a camera to tell us when they’re pregnant and when they’re going to give birth and if they’re pregnant, and then they put tags on the new ones and we walk them back.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That sounds like quite the process! Using a camera, probably an ultrasound, to check for pregnancies is pretty advanced for keeping track of things. Walking them down the street and back must feel like a little parade. Do you get the same guy to check them every year?
You said:
Well, I’ve only done it once, so I assume. I watched a TV show called The Ranch, and they used to stick their hand up there and feel around for pregnancy to see if the cows are pregnant, but apparently now he just uses this little camera thing.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yeah, the old-school method of sticking a hand in there was definitely more hands-on! The little camera tool is probably a relief for everyone involved—quicker and less invasive. It’s neat how technology has changed even in farming. Did the whole experience of walking the cows and getting them checked feel like a throwback to how things used to be?
You said:
Well, as I said, I’m brand new to farming, so I was just glad that I didn’t have to be the one to stick my hand up the rear end of the cows. And it was neat to see how they corral them into an area and then they stamp their ear. Other people get branding there. It’s all done by like three different farmers come together at the same time to save money.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It sounds like you’re getting a good grasp on how things work. Collaborating with other farmers for branding and other tasks is a smart way to share resources and cut costs. If you ever get more curious about different farming practices or want to share more of what you’ve learned, I’m here to chat!
You said:
So the tags that go in their ear, are they the same near-field communication tags that you can get for anything these days?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
The ear tags used in farming aren’t usually the same as near-field communication (NFC) tags, but they can serve similar purposes in terms of tracking. Farm tags often use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is a bit different from NFC but works on a similar principle. They help keep track of each animal’s health, breeding history, and more. NFC tags are more common in consumer items like contactless payment cards or smartphone apps.
You said:
I completely forgot about RFID. That was the big thing a while ago. And how far away can they be detected?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
RFID tags can be detected at varying distances depending on the type. Passive RFID tags, which don’t have their own power source and rely on the reader’s energy, usually work within a range of a few inches to a few feet. Active RFID tags, which have their own power source, can be read from much greater distances—up to several hundred feet in some cases. The exact range can depend on the tag’s design and the reader’s capabilities.
You said:
Well, I tried using my phone to read the tags and it does nothing, although it was difficult to get close to the little baby cow.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That makes sense. Many smartphones aren’t equipped to read the types of RFID tags used in farming. These tags might operate on frequencies or protocols that are different from what phones typically handle. For farm animals, specialized RFID readers are usually needed to get the job done.
You said:
Well, it certainly would be neat if they were longer distance and I could just bring my reader out and say, yep, all 11 cows are counted for.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That would be super convenient! Longer-range RFID or even GPS-based tracking could simplify counting and managing livestock. If technology keeps advancing, who knows? We might see more solutions like that in the future.
You said:
here in B.C. where they let them go free on government land. They’ve got to find them later.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That sounds like quite a challenge! Finding cattle on vast, open land must require a lot of effort and coordination. I imagine tracking technology would be really valuable in that situation to help locate and manage them more efficiently.
You said:
Well, I’m sure people will find some way to use ChatGPT to help their farming in the future.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Absolutely! AI like ChatGPT could assist with everything from managing livestock records to providing real-time advice on farming practices. It’s exciting to think about all the ways technology might make farming easier and more efficient in the future.
You said:
I’ve kind of figured out the four different kinds of moos that cows make. I wonder if anyone’s ever done a study of translating the different types of moos that cows make.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s fascinating! There have been studies on animal vocalizations, including cows, to understand their different sounds and what they might mean. Researchers have looked into how cows use vocalizations for communication, like signaling distress or seeking attention. It’s possible that more detailed studies could emerge as technology advances, potentially translating those moos into something more understandable for us.
You said:
Well, I think many animals have full vocabularies like birds, but cows seem to have four main moos that I’ve been able to figure out, and that’s the come help moo, the come there’s food moo, and the we’re really angry at you because we’re hungry moo, and I forget the fourth one right now. But they seem noticeably different, and I doubt that there’s too many more options for them.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It sounds like you’ve done a great job observing their vocalizations! Cows definitely have different sounds for various needs or emotions. The fourth moo might be something like a contented or relaxed sound, often heard when they’re grazing peacefully or interacting calmly with each other. Each sound can convey a lot about their state or needs.
You said:
It’s surprising how fast cows can move without you noticing. They’re all in one place a minute, you turn your back, and somehow, without running, they’re on the other side of the field.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Cows can be surprisingly quick and nimble when they want to be! They can move stealthily, especially when they’re focused on something like food or following a herd instinct. Their size and calm demeanor often make it easy to underestimate their speed.
You said:
They do seem to stay within a general area of each other, although as the grass thins in our drought area, they spread out a little bit, but they always move to the same general part of the pasture together, and that’s nice.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It’s good to hear they stick together. Cows usually have a strong herd instinct, which helps them stay close and move together even when the grass gets sparse. It must make managing them a bit easier when they have a general area they prefer.
You said:
Well, there’s two little baby bulls, and they’re a little bit more adventurous, and they venture out. And it seems like the parent mother has laxed in her strict behavior of staying next to them. But it is nice to see that the cows and their children are friendly till the end.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s sweet to hear. It’s interesting how the dynamics change as the calves grow. Mother cows often let their young ones explore more as they get older, while still keeping an eye on them. It’s a nice sign of how social and nurturing cows can be within their herds.
You said:
On our farm, we always have two generations. We have the mothers, which there’s five of them, and then there were five young calves, and then four little babies because one didn’t survive. That’s the same year after year, and it’s kind of neat to see the dynamic, because the mothers know those children are going away one day.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s a great observation. Seeing the generational cycle and the relationships between the mothers and their calves must be really special. It’s a unique aspect of farming that brings a sense of continuity and connection.
You said:
It’s also neat to personify them a little bit and throw human emotions on them because what we call the teenagers, the in-between cats, they sort of flirt with each other and they they get friendly and they also babysit for the little babies, so it’s a nice community.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It sounds like there’s a lot of social interaction and bonding among the cows, which is really endearing. Personifying them and noticing their behaviors like flirting and babysitting adds a whole new layer to your observations. It’s fascinating to see how animals develop their own social structures and relationships.
You said:
It’s also fascinating to see who’s in charge. It wasn’t the oldest cow, but there’s a cow that definitely takes the lead and is usually the first to arrive when there’s new hay, and the first to check out new places, and if she doesn’t want to go, the others don’t go. The other day I saw one of the cows going out into the different pasture, and the mother cow comes out and goes, moo, moo, don’t do that.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It’s really interesting to see how leadership and social roles play out among the cows. That lead cow must have a strong presence if she’s able to influence the others so effectively. It’s like a little society with its own dynamics and hierarchies.
You said:
It was. It was quite humorous to put it into like a play setting for me because the other cows started joining in like, no, you shouldn’t be doing that. Come on back. And then they sort of one sneaks away and then another sneaks away. It was quite humorous.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That does sound like a scene straight out of a play! It’s amazing how much personality and drama can come through in their interactions. Observing their little “dramas” can be both entertaining and enlightening.
You said:
It’s always been, even before I was on the farm, it’s always been a fascination of me thinking how animals think and just trying to comprehend what it’s like to be born and go through life without the same kind of instructions that humans
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It’s a profound curiosity. Animals have their own ways of understanding and interacting with the world, which can be so different from our human experiences. It’s intriguing to think about their instincts and how they navigate life without the same guidance we get.
You said:
which segues nicely into my chickens, because chickens, at least on our farm, have no comprehension of children. I mean, they lay eggs and the eggs are taken away. And then the eggs hatch and there are no parents around. So it’s all based on instinct and learning from seeing. And that’s just amazing to me that, you know, something can be born and go through life without any guidance or any awareness of anything.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It is fascinating how chickens rely so heavily on instinct. Their survival and development depend largely on their innate behaviors and their ability to learn from their environment. It’s remarkable how these animals manage to thrive and adapt despite having little to no parental guidance.
You said:
different breeds seem to be different as well. We have Buff Orpingtons and Lavender Orpingtons, and they’re different in the way that they react and live.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s really interesting! Different chicken breeds can have varying temperaments and behaviors. Buff Orpingtons are known for being friendly and calm, while Lavender Orpingtons might have their own unique traits. Observing these differences can give you a better understanding of their individual personalities and needs.
You said:
I understand how some people would, you know, just love to get into that in their science degrees and and their careers because studying animals is, well, it’s easier than studying humans, but it can tell us so much about things. And one day, ChatGPT’s pattern recognition will translate birds and we’ll find out they’ve been speaking digitally with full conversations and gossip and locations and restaurant reviews.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That would be quite the breakthrough! Studying animals can reveal a lot about behavior and communication, and it’s fascinating to think about how advanced technology could someday unlock even deeper insights. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll understand animal interactions in ways we can’t even imagine right now.
You said:
Well, they figured out how to talk to monkeys and, to some extent, dolphins, and I often think I wonder if I record some of the birds and play them back in different areas, whether I can make them be scared or worried or come for food just by playing sounds back.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s an intriguing idea! Birds often respond to specific sounds and calls, so playing recordings could potentially influence their behavior. It might be interesting to experiment with different sounds and observe their reactions to see if you can get any consistent responses.
You said:
Of course, there are many, many sounds above and below human hearing. There’s no doubt in my mind that birds are among the most conversational animals out there because they sit on wires and they just talk to each other. And I was thinking the other day that one tweet, if it was digital in our world, could contain, you know, a week’s worth of conversation almost.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
It’s fascinating to think about how much communication might be happening among birds that we’re not fully aware of. Their calls and songs could indeed be packed with a lot of information. The idea of a “tweet” being a week’s worth of conversation in the bird world is a fun way to imagine their complex social interactions.
You said:
I imagine people have taken bird calls and slowed them down to 100 speed or whatever and there’s no doubt warbles and breaks and ups and downs in those sounds that we don’t naturally hear.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Exactly! Slowing down bird calls or analyzing them with specialized equipment can reveal details we wouldn’t normally hear. Those warbles, breaks, and variations might carry additional layers of meaning or communication. It’s amazing how much there is to uncover in the natural world.
You said:
Did we ever use analog sounds through the air or through speakers to transmit between computers or did it start with phone lines?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Transmitting analog sounds through the air or speakers to communicate between computers isn’t common, but it has been explored in niche areas. Early computer communication primarily used phone lines and modems, which converted digital data to analog signals for transmission over the telephone network. Before the digital era, people also experimented with various forms of analog communication, but phone lines were a major method for connecting computers in the early days.
You said:
I think Terry Pratchard had in one of his novels about the post office, he had an analog communication system that used shutters on top of buildings to communicate between larger distances that could see line of sight. So that kind of got me thinking of the sort of things that might have come along if computers had been available before phone lines were.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That’s a fascinating concept! Terry Pratchett’s idea of using shutters for communication is a creative take on how early technology could have evolved differently. If computers had existed before phone lines, it’s intriguing to think about how people might have developed alternative communication methods—perhaps using visible signals, light-based systems, or even mechanical devices. It’s always interesting to imagine how technology might have taken different paths based on available resources and ideas.
You said:
That reminds me of a question I’ve had
