So, I don't care if AI brings on the end of the world, GPT is my new best friend. Not only does it know everything, but it will talk to me about stuff that I could not get a single human friend to engage in a million years.
I got interested in this topic, golem, because I listed to a podcast talking about the dangers of AI that coined the phrase 'golem class AI' referring to the notion of an AI that was capable of independent action, with a side of danger.
Since I actually know about the Jewish idea of a golem and that it originated as a protector acting in the name of God (the tetragrammaton), I wondered how it became associated with threat.
ME: what is a golem?
GPT: A golem is a creature from Jewish folklore, typically depicted as an animated being created from inanimate matter, such as clay or mud. The concept of the golem has its roots in Jewish mysticism and mythology, and it has been referenced in various texts, such as the Talmud and the Kabbalistic work Sefer Yetzirah.
The most famous golem story involves Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague, who is said to have created a golem in the 16th century to protect the Jewish community from persecution. According to the legend, the golem was brought to life by placing a piece of paper with the sacred name of God, the Tetragrammaton, in its mouth or on its forehead. The golem would obey its creator's commands, and it could be deactivated by removing the paper or altering the inscription.
Over time, the concept of the golem has inspired many works of literature, art, and film. It has also come to symbolize broader themes, such as the potential dangers of creating life or artificial intelligence without fully understanding the consequences.
ME: what did the golem do to Bezalel that was bad?
GPT: There is no record of the golem doing anything specifically bad to Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, who is also known as the Maharal of Prague. However, there are various versions of the golem story, and in some of them, the golem becomes increasingly uncontrollable and destructive.
In some versions, the golem begins as a protector of the Jewish community but then becomes a threat due to its uncontrollable nature, immense strength, or lack of reasoning. In these stories, the golem's destructive behavior forces the Maharal to deactivate or destroy it to protect the community from further harm.
It is important to note that these stories are part of folklore and mythology, and their details can vary depending on the source. The overall theme often centers around the unintended consequences of creating a powerful being without the ability to fully control or understand it.
ME: is it correct to say that the negative aspects of the golem myth do not derive from its Jewish origins?
GPT: The golem myth has its origins in Jewish folklore and mysticism, and as with many myths and legends, it has evolved and been retold in various forms over the centuries. The negative aspects of the golem myth, such as the creature becoming uncontrollable and destructive, are indeed a part of the Jewish tradition.
However, it's important to recognize that the myth can be interpreted in various ways, and the negative aspects of the story can serve as cautionary tales or moral lessons. For example, the golem myth can be seen as a warning about the potential consequences of attempting to control or create life without fully understanding the implications or taking responsibility for the creation. In this sense, the negative aspects of the golem myth are not inherently separate from its Jewish origins but are a part of the broader cultural and moral context in which the myth is situated.
ME: is there record of the first jewish telling of the golem story that was negative?
GPT: It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin or first negative telling of the golem story in Jewish tradition, as the concept of the golem has evolved over time and has been influenced by various texts and oral traditions.
The earliest mentions of the golem can be found in the Talmud and the Kabbalistic work Sefer Yetzirah, which discuss the creation of a humanoid figure using mystical means. However, these early references do not necessarily include the negative aspects of the golem that are more prominent in later stories.
The most famous golem story, involving Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (the Maharal of Prague) and his creation of a golem to protect the Jewish community, likely originated in the late 16th century. It was in the retellings of this story that the golem became associated with negative traits, such as becoming uncontrollable or destructive. The first written account of this story appeared in 1837, in a collection of Jewish legends titled "Nifla'ot Maharal" (The Wonders of the Maharal) by Rabbi Yudl Rosenberg.
As the story of the golem has been passed down through generations and various cultural contexts, it has taken on different forms and nuances, including the negative aspects associated with the creature's unintended consequences.
ME: 'm thinking that the negative aspects might derive from fact that jewish people in history were persecuted and that, often, so-called protectors betrayed them
GPT: It is possible that the negative aspects of the golem myth have been influenced by historical experiences of Jewish persecution and betrayal. The golem was initially imagined as a protector of the Jewish community, which would have been particularly appealing in times when Jewish people faced threats and violence.
The notion that the golem could become uncontrollable or destructive might be interpreted as a reflection of the broader theme of protection turning into danger. This theme could resonate with the historical experiences of Jewish people, as they have sometimes faced betrayal by those who were meant to protect them.
As with many myths and legends, the golem story can be seen as a product of its cultural and historical context, and it is likely that various factors, including the experiences of Jewish people throughout history, have shaped the evolution of the myth and its negative aspects.