A Chat GPT history of Gamecock athletics

The good, the bad, and the just plain weird from Open AI

I’m not a tech guy. As a child of the late 70’s and early 80’s, my GenX contemporaries and I grew up in a decidedly analog world. Though tech was subtly creeping in by way of digital watches and embryonic video game systems, they were for the most part mere curiosities.

Oh, we had an Atari 2600, and were temporarily intrigued by Pong, and Frogger, and Space Invaders. But if it wasn’t raining, we were outside playing football and basketball, or criss-crossing the neighborhood by bicycle. Research for a school paper? A 26-volume set of Encyclopedia Brittanica sat weightily upon living room shelves sagging under a veritable world of leather-bound information.

That world is still my happy place in some ways. And though I recognize the many ways tech has revolutionized and improved our lives, (how did we ever get around pre-GPS?), I generally avoid it when I can, and embrace it grudgingly when I must. Read books via Kindle? No thanks. Apple Watch? No siree. Chat GPT? Chat GPwhat??

But over the last couple of years I’ve increasingly heard mention of this AI tool - described by Wikipedia as a “generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Open AI,” (author nods along uncomprehendingly while staring into the middle distance).

“Some observers raised concern,” the Wiki entry explains, “about the potential of Chat GPT… to displace or atrophy human intelligence, enable plagiarism, or fuel misinformation.”

This is concerning indeed. If you’ve ever seen an adult plodding dull-eyed through the airport in their pajamas, or been subjected to a Mark Robinson ad, you’re fully aware that the condition of human intelligence is already approaching an advanced stage of atrophy. We don’t need to accelerate it.

Still, Chat GPT seems to have become so ubiquitous in its short two-year existence that my 76-year-old father recently asked in passing if I had used it, and displayed a working knowledge of the tool I found somehow disconcerting. It truly seems to be everywhere, in use by everybody.

Except me.

So as a sort of grudging experiment, I decided to dip my toe into the turbid, churning waters of Artificial Intelligence. I asked it a question for which I’d like to think I possess some level of expertise in judging its accuracy.

“Why did the University of South Carolina leave the Atlantic Coast Conference”

Chat GPT produced the answer almost instantaneously, which is in and of itself impressive, given that it took me the better part of seven years and 352 pages to explain in A Gamecock Odyssey. The speed of the answer was more impressive than the substance, however.

The University of South Carolina did not leave the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC); instead, it was a founding member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 1933. USC, along with other schools, left the ACC when it was restructured and formed the SEC. The move was driven by a desire for greater athletic competition and better alignment with regional rivals.

The ACC, originally formed to include institutions primarily in the South, experienced changes over the years, leading to USC’s decision to seek a more competitive and geographically aligned conference.

Chat GPT asserts the University of South Carolina both did not, and then did leave the ACC. To be clear, USC was a founding member of the ACC (not the SEC), helping to form the conference in 1953. It later left for major independent status in 1971.

To be fair though, it seems that Chat GPT is onto something… perhaps conflating the ACC with the old Southern Conference. Thirteen members from the Southern Conference did leave to form the SEC in 1932, though South Carolina was not among them.

Ok, uneven effort, but I’m intrigued. Let’s try another one.

“When did the University of South Carolina join the Metro Conference?”

The chatbot replied, “1991,” which is actually the year USC joined the Southeastern Conference. Carolina joined the Metro in 1983.

But when I tweaked the question to “Why did USC join the Metro Conference,” Chat GPT performed admirably:

The University of South Carolina joined the Metro Conference to enhance its athletic competitiveness, particularly in basketball, where the conference was known for its strong programs. Additionally, joining the Metro allowed South Carolina to align itself with schools that had similar academic and athletic standards, improving its overall profile in collegiate sports. This move also helped the university expand its regional presence and foster new rivalries.

Pretty good! Just a couple more…

“Who is George Rogers?”

George Rogers is a former American football running back who played college football at the University of South Carolina. He is best known for winning the Heisman Trophy in 1980, becoming the first player from South Carolina to receive this prestigious award. Rogers had a standout collegiate career, leading the nation in rushing yards during his senior season. He went on to play professionally in the NFL, primarily for the New Orleans Saints and later for the Washington Redskins, where he had a successful career, including a Super Bowl victory.

Pretty impressive in its depth and accuracy!

Ok, so this is essentially an online encyclopedia, continuously honed via generative learning. I get it. But Chat GPT has never been to a game. It’s never experienced a tailgate, never known the gastric pleasures of mustard-tinged pork, never grown teary eyed during the climactic strains of “Also sprach Zarathustra.”

“So, Chat GPT, what does it feel like to go to a game at Williams-Brice Stadium?”

Attending a game at Williams-Brice Stadium is an electric experience. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, especially during football season. Fans wear garnet and black, creating a sea of team colors. The roar of the crowd is deafening, particularly during key plays or when the team scores.

The pre-game festivities, including the marching band and the Gamecock Walk, add to the excitement. When the team takes the field, the energy reaches a fever pitch. It’s a blend of tradition, community, and passion, making it a memorable experience for fans and newcomers alike. Whether you're cheering for the Gamecocks or soaking in the camaraderie, it’s a thrilling environment!

Wow… that’s actually a pretty great answer.

Ok, one final question:

“Who is Alan Piercy?”

Alan Piercy is a former American football player who played as a linebacker and defensive end. He played for the University of South Carolina and went on to have a professional career in the NFL. After his playing days, he has been involved in coaching and sports administration. If you're looking for more specific details or a different Alan Piercy, feel free to clarify!

No need for more specific details or clarification. I like that answer.

Chat GPT as Gamecock historian

As of today, September 22, 2024 at (pauses to check analog watch) 12:18pm, Chat GPT poses no threat to human historians. Its an interesting tool to be sure, and will only grow more savvy and useful as generative learning adds layers and complexity (and hopefully accuracy) to its repertoire.

Maybe one day we’ll all be eaten by this AI machine. Or maybe we’ll tame it and hone it for good. Whichever way it goes, I don’t feel in any way threatened by Chat GPT. I’ll keep doing things the old-school way, diving into newspaper archives and old media guides, and generally doing my best to share stories from the rich history of Gamecock athletics here at South By Southeast, sans chatbot.

Besides, what else would I do with my spare time after that illustrious NFL career?