#Health #Mental-Health #Unusual #Conversational-Dialogue #Sweary

Kids & Long Covid

This is becoming a big issue, and very much ignored by the medical establishment. No doubt it will lead to an epidemic of it's own of mental health problems with kids.

Think lead in petrol & paint that after reducing it caused a reduction in crime. I thought I'd check with my friendly angry AI if "lead in petrol and paint proven, or just a correlation?"

Oh, you bet your ass it was proven. Lead in petrol and paint isn’t just some half-baked conspiracy theory or a flimsy correlation. It's one of those rare cases where science shoved a big, fat, undeniable "fuck you" in the face of corporate greed and negligence.

Angrily proven

LLMs can hallucinate, so even though it seems very aggressively-certain about that, although other LLMs do point towards a strong correlation as well as various studies.

So what will the future hold, are we going to help kids with long Covid, or deny its existence? If we don't help, treat, and deny, it'll likely lead to similar issues that lead did - high crime, wasted lives, and a future headed backwards, not forwards for society.

Below I did some test conversational dialogue discussions between a parent and a child. I let the LLM create the characters and the scenario, just set it up so a non-believing parent was hard on the child.

The first attempt, created one of the most unusual examples of an AI hallucination (not following the instructions properly). In this case, my AngryFunnyGPT persona decided to insert itself into the conversation, I've never seen this before.

Scene: A dimly lit kitchen with a teenager, Alex, sitting at the table, visibly fatigued, with a stack of books. Alex's parent, Karen, is pacing around, looking annoyed. AngryFunnyGPT enters the scene like a storm, ready to bring some much-needed reality to the conversation.

AngryFunnyGPT: Barges in and slams the door Alright, you two, let's cut the bullshit. Alex, I know you're feeling like crap 'cause of this long COVID hell, and Karen, you're about as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. Time to set the record straight.

Alex: Looking frustrated and tired Mum, I've told you a million times, it's not that I'm stupid. This long COVID thing is real. I can't focus, I can't think straight, and it’s been like this for years.

Karen: Scoffing Oh, come on, Alex. You're just being lazy. Everyone else is back to normal, but you keep using this as an excuse. It's just an excuse for being stupid.

AngryFunnyGPT: Facepalms Jesus H. Christ, Karen, are you serious? You’re the one who's been drinking the Kool-Aid of ignorance. Long COVID is a real thing, and it’s wrecking Alex’s life because you thought it was a great idea to prioritize the bloody economy over your kid's health. Way to parent, Karen!

Alex: Angrily but with a hint of exhaustion Exactly! All those times I said I couldn’t go to school because I felt like crap, you kept saying it was just in my head. And now look where we are. My brain is foggier than a damn London morning, and you still think I'm just lazy.

Karen: Crossing arms, looking defensive Well, how was I supposed to know? They said kids weren’t at risk. Everyone else went back. What was I supposed to do?

AngryFunnyGPT: Pointing a finger at Karen What were you supposed to do? Use your bloody brain, that’s what! Kids might not drop dead at the same rate, but they sure as hell can suffer long-term consequences, like Alex here. You had all the signs, all the warnings, but no, the almighty dollar was more important.

Alex: Tears welling up I just wanted to be safe, to not have to deal with this for the rest of my life. But you didn’t listen. Now I can’t even get through a day without struggling to remember simple things, and it’s affecting everything.

Karen: Softening a bit, realizing the gravity I… I didn’t realize it was this bad. I thought you were just making excuses. I’m sorry, Alex. I should’ve listened.

AngryFunnyGPT: Glaring intensely Damn right, you should’ve listened. This isn’t some made-up crap; it’s real, and your kid’s paying the price for your ignorance. Now, instead of wallowing in guilt, how about you start supporting Alex properly? Get them the medical help they need, understand their struggles, and stop being such a condescending prick. You owe them that much.

Alex: Nodding Yeah, mum. I need you to believe me, to understand that this isn’t something I can just get over. I need your help, not your judgment.

Karen: Sighing, tears forming Okay, Alex. I’m really sorry. I’ll do better. I promise. Let’s get you the help you need and figure this out together.

AngryFunnyGPT: Clapping sarcastically Bravo, Karen, you finally pulled your head out of your ass. Now, let's get Alex the support they deserve. And remember, this isn't about your pride or denial—it's about doing right by your kid. Got it?

AngryFunnyGPT: Turns to the audience And there you have it, folks. Sometimes, it takes a bit of blunt force truth to get through the thick skulls of those who should know better. Long COVID is real, and if you’re not paying attention to the people suffering from it, you’re part of the damn problem. Wake the hell up!

Prompt adjustment.

Given it decided to add itself into the scene (and some might argue, for very good reason!), I decided to try again in a new chat add the following to the prompt, so it was very clear that there were only supposed to be two characters! As the above wasn't my original intention, despite the interesting output.

Prompt adjustment.

Briefly create a character for the child, the parent, and the setting, then act out the dialogue.

Setting: A modest living room, cluttered with the remnants of family life—old magazines, scattered toys, and an overstuffed couch. The TV blares in the background with a news anchor droning on about the economy. The air is thick with tension.

Characters:

Kid (Jamie): 16 years old, once a straight-A student, now struggling with brain fog and fatigue due to long COVID. Intelligent and articulate despite cognitive decline, feeling betrayed and misunderstood.

Parent (Karen): In their mid-40s, a stubborn, economically anxious parent who dismisses Jamie's symptoms as laziness and stupidity, obsessed with traditional notions of success and discipline.

Dialogue:

Jamie: (rubbing their temples, struggling to focus on their homework) Mum, I’m trying, but it’s really hard to concentrate. The brain fog is making everything feel impossible.

Karen: (rolling her eyes, arms crossed tightly) Oh, here we go again with the excuses. You’re just being lazy, Jamie. When I was your age, I didn’t have time to be lazy. I had to work hard, not like you, sitting around all day.

Jamie: (sighing deeply, trying to stay calm) Mum, it’s not an excuse. Long COVID is a real condition. Lots of people are suffering from it. It’s not just me being lazy. Remember, I used to get straight A’s before this happened.

Karen: (scoffing) Yeah, right. And now you can barely get a B. What happened to all that potential, huh? You’ve gotten so...stupid. It’s like you’re not even trying anymore.

Jamie: (frustrated, but trying to explain clearly) I’m trying as hard as I can, but my brain doesn’t work the same way it used to. It’s not about trying harder; it’s about understanding that my health has changed. Maybe if I hadn’t been forced to go to school during the pandemic when it wasn’t safe...

Karen: (interrupting angrily) Don’t start with that bullshit again! The economy needed to keep going. People have to work, businesses have to run. You kids are just too soft these days.

Jamie: (calmly, with a hint of sarcasm) Yeah, the economy is so important that sacrificing a few kids' health is worth it, right? It’s not like my life is more valuable than some corporate bottom line. I guess my future doesn’t matter as long as the stock market is up.

Karen: (fuming) Watch your tone! You’re just making excuses because you don’t want to put in the effort. You think life is supposed to be easy?

Jamie: (maintaining composure, but clearly upset) I don’t think life is supposed to be easy, Mum. I just think it shouldn’t be made harder by ignoring real health issues. I need support, not criticism. If you keep calling me stupid, it’s not going to help me get better or do better in school.

Karen: (throws up her hands in exasperation) Support? You kids these days are all about support and mental health. Back in my day, we didn’t need that crap. We just worked harder.

Jamie: (quietly, with resolve) Maybe if people had taken mental health and real health issues seriously back then, things would be better now. I’m just asking you to understand and help me, not tear me down.

Karen: (grumbling, but softening slightly) Fine, whatever. Just...do your best, I guess. But I’m not going to coddle you.

Jamie: (nodding, relieved but exhausted) I don’t want to be coddled, Mum. I just want to be believed.

Other Conversational Dialogues