Thanks for sharing. Just one note: as someone who doesn't know who Mario Bekes is, this whole piece reads a lot like an Ai supported (borderline generated) piece. I literally gave up on the third paragraph.
I was asking this in earnest and not to discredit anybody.
Like i said, I commented after reading the first couple of paragraphs, which to me sound like LLM-assisted fiction (it does not mean they are, I was hoping for someone to clear that up):
> During my recent journey to Berlin—a city where every street corner whispers secrets of a divided past—I uncovered the chilling reality of "Zersetzung."
> This was not just another research assignment; it was an immersive exploration into the dark art of psychological warfare.
> Amidst the solemn corridors of historic museums, I engaged with former STASI operatives and leading experts, drawing on my extensive background in human intelligence and interrogations.
> Their firsthand accounts and my rigorous investigation reveal how East Germany's covert strategy was designed to systematically dismantle not only dissent but the very essence of a person's identity
No first-hand account is referenced in detail later, the article goes on in a weirdly encyclopedic style, given the introduction. It also jumps to equating the Stasi with modern types of discourse silencing. Which might have merit, but seems weird given the beginning of the article.
Berlin doesn't seem to have any special relevance later in the article, but the author claims that this is based on "firsthand accounts" and that their "rigorous investigation reveal how East Germany's covert strategy was designed".
I have previously read things and watched films about the Stasi (an important and interesting subject). I'm not an expert in this subject but there does not seem to be any original research in the article?
I don't have any political intentions and in my opinion, while this should not be claimed lightly, it is absolutely OK to give the feedback that a piece of writing sounds like AI-generated content.
It goes on in this style and again, I'm deeply sorry if this reads like I want to discredit an honest creator (why would I want that?)
> Join me as we delve deep into the meticulously orchestrated tactics of the Stasi—a narrative that is as compelling as it is disturbing, and one that continues to resonate in today’s era of digital manipulation.
Adjective-heavy fluff like this screams "ChatGPT"/LLM to me, and I don't see why I would not comment that.
I put in a "disclaimer" because I anticipated this coming across as rude.
Claiming that my question (or questioning any online text regarding it's source) would be in line of some political "Zersetzung" strategy seems like an insult to actual victims of the Stasi to me.
Did you find something incorrect in the two paragraphs that you read? Here they are:
During my recent journey to Berlin—a city where every street corner whispers secrets of a divided past—I uncovered the chilling reality of "Zersetzung."
This was not just another research assignment; it was an immersive exploration into the dark art of psychological warfare.
This is the personal website of a human being. The first two paragraphs described a human traveling to Berlin. Does ChatGPT travel often?
re: "stasi could not predict", well in Czechoslovakia the secret police (StB - Statni bezpecnost) used similar methods. And they had half year to prepare (since summer when Hungary opened a hole in the iron curtain specifically for east germans) and support of hardline leadership of czechoslovak communist party. It did not help them.
Thanks for sharing. Just one note: as someone who doesn't know who Mario Bekes is, this whole piece reads a lot like an Ai supported (borderline generated) piece. I literally gave up on the third paragraph.
Normal office politics. Not really STASI only.
I'm sorry if this sounds incendiary and I admit I only read the first couple of paragraphs, but is this AI-generated content?
Sorry again if this is a fully baseless accusation, don't have time to dive deeper at this moment. It just sounded like ChatGPT to me
"you sound like chatgpt, sorry if i'm mistaken", the ultimate zersetzung
I was asking this in earnest and not to discredit anybody.
Like i said, I commented after reading the first couple of paragraphs, which to me sound like LLM-assisted fiction (it does not mean they are, I was hoping for someone to clear that up):
> During my recent journey to Berlin—a city where every street corner whispers secrets of a divided past—I uncovered the chilling reality of "Zersetzung." > This was not just another research assignment; it was an immersive exploration into the dark art of psychological warfare. > Amidst the solemn corridors of historic museums, I engaged with former STASI operatives and leading experts, drawing on my extensive background in human intelligence and interrogations. > Their firsthand accounts and my rigorous investigation reveal how East Germany's covert strategy was designed to systematically dismantle not only dissent but the very essence of a person's identity
No first-hand account is referenced in detail later, the article goes on in a weirdly encyclopedic style, given the introduction. It also jumps to equating the Stasi with modern types of discourse silencing. Which might have merit, but seems weird given the beginning of the article.
Berlin doesn't seem to have any special relevance later in the article, but the author claims that this is based on "firsthand accounts" and that their "rigorous investigation reveal how East Germany's covert strategy was designed".
I have previously read things and watched films about the Stasi (an important and interesting subject). I'm not an expert in this subject but there does not seem to be any original research in the article?
I don't have any political intentions and in my opinion, while this should not be claimed lightly, it is absolutely OK to give the feedback that a piece of writing sounds like AI-generated content.
It goes on in this style and again, I'm deeply sorry if this reads like I want to discredit an honest creator (why would I want that?)
> Join me as we delve deep into the meticulously orchestrated tactics of the Stasi—a narrative that is as compelling as it is disturbing, and one that continues to resonate in today’s era of digital manipulation.
Adjective-heavy fluff like this screams "ChatGPT"/LLM to me, and I don't see why I would not comment that.
I put in a "disclaimer" because I anticipated this coming across as rude.
Claiming that my question (or questioning any online text regarding it's source) would be in line of some political "Zersetzung" strategy seems like an insult to actual victims of the Stasi to me.
Have a good day.
Did you find something incorrect in the two paragraphs that you read? Here they are:
This is the personal website of a human being. The first two paragraphs described a human traveling to Berlin. Does ChatGPT travel often?
I should have read your post in full before my commenting (it was late in the evening here).
Can't describe now what exactly I meant about the writing and normally I refrain from accusing LLM usage because of such gut feelings. So sorry.
Of course people have published LLM texts on their personal sites, but that doesn't mean you do.
So far I only skimmed that post, will re-read it later.
3 replies →
If you ask it nicely, yes.
2 replies →
re: "stasi could not predict", well in Czechoslovakia the secret police (StB - Statni bezpecnost) used similar methods. And they had half year to prepare (since summer when Hungary opened a hole in the iron curtain specifically for east germans) and support of hardline leadership of czechoslovak communist party. It did not help them.
https://archive.is/YZlbI