Metonymy and Censorship by an AI
A writing project, a teacher guide, is showing programming of Grok is pretty Woke, and cuts out CoV educational content.
I haven’t poste the Microbiome Labs update regarding the Mega SporeBiotic product yet, because I’ve been cowriting with Grok 2 AI, an x.com subscription service. The project took off and Grok 2 is quite good but the Woke language is embedded in what it generates and suggests. I also noticed it removed CoV related points entirely, with no mention/suggestions about it. Ignoring is a way of censoring, removing content on certain topics is a more blatant method. People getting help with their school or other work might take a suggested edit in its entirety without question.
There is more to the AI cowriting story, and 83 pages of Teacher Guide so far.
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I present the text that I copied into Grok 2, plus the prompt opening descriptor.
The text:
Rhetoric analysis and the “New Box”
Teacher Guide: Building a "New Box" for Diversity and Inclusivity with the help of Metonymy
Theme: Balanced Conversation on Expanding Traditional Norms
Objectives:
· To better understand the rhetorical term metonymy and its role in culture, media and the structure of relating to industry, government, and each other.
· To explore how traditional cultural norms ("the old box") can evolve into a more inclusive and expansive framework ("the new box") that honors both tradition and diversity while maintaining cultural integrity and personal safety. How is metonymy used to build the ‘structure’ of a ‘social box’? Is it being used to change that structure? How has the ‘social box’ changed in recent years?
Introduction:
· Begin with a discussion on what a "box" symbolizes in cultural contexts - both as a protective space and potentially as a confining one.
· Highlight how every culture has norms that serve purposes like survival, identity, and community cohesion.
· Rhetorical patterns are from a more ancient culture (Greek/Roman) and yet still impact our daily lives.
Tapestry of Life Discussion Activity:
In literature and mythology, the idea of life as a thread is also ancient. Greek mythology includes the Moirai, or Fates, who worked as a collective of weavers. Clotho spun the thread of life, Lachesis measured its length, and Atropos determined its end. (tinaboesch.com) This imagery of life as a woven tapestry continues to resonate, symbolizing how our lives are interconnected and how our actions contribute to the broader narrative of history.
‘Tradition is woven into the fabric of our lives, and the thread dates back to ancient times.’ Discuss that statement as an example of a Metaphor “Tradition is…” and as Metonymy – our lives are a fabric stitched from tradition and time.
Understanding Metonymy in Cultural Contexts:
Definition: Metonymy, where one term is substituted for another related term, can help in understanding how cultural symbols or concepts can represent broader ideas or groups. The word Metonymy is based on the classical Latin word “metōnymia,” which translates to “change of name.”
· "The crown" is often used in discussions about monarchy or government to represent the ruling power or the monarch themselves, as seen in both historical contexts and modern political discussions. (myenglishpages.com)
· Film and TV critiques might mention "Hollywood" when discussing the American film industry, using the name of the district in Los Angeles to stand for the whole industry.
· "Wall Street panicked" often appears in financial news, where "Wall Street" represents the entire U.S. financial market or the people who work there, not just the physical street in New York City. (blog.daisie.com)
Metonymy is also in use when relatable concepts are linked to a more familiar object, listening being represented by “ears” or “pen” representing the written word. Synecdoche is a similar Rhetorical term when one part of a larger whole (“wheels”) might be used to represent the whole thing (automobile).
· In literature, "The pen is mightier than the sword" is a classic example of metonymy where "pen" stands for writing or intellectual power, and "sword" for military force or physical might. (myenglishpages.com)
· Shakespeare's use in "Julius Caesar" where Mark Antony says, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears," using "ears" to signify attention or listening. (video/academy4sc.org)
Synecdoche is a similar Rhetorical term to Metonymy.
'Synecdoche': when a part of something is used to refer to the whole - "nice threads," "new wheels" x.com/MerriamWebster
· Websites like Scribbr and GrammarPalette provide explanations of Metonymy and Synecdoche, offering examples like "ride" or "wheels" for car, which illustrate how a part (wheels) or an associated term (ride) can represent the whole (car).
Example of Metonymy:
"The White House" is a metonymy standing for the U.S. government or current administration but can also be a metonymy representing political discourse or speech from the President of the U.S.. In news reports, you might commonly see phrases like "The White House issued a statement" where "The White House" is used metonymically to refer to the President or the administration's press office. This substitution is based on the association between the building and the people who work there. (x.com/XJournaLK)
· Discussion Activity: Discuss how this can be seen as a protective "box" for policy and governance of the nation.
· Media Literacy and Rhetoric Activity: Ask students to find or create examples where metonymy is used in media to represent cultural or social groups. Discuss how these representations can be expanded to include more diverse perspectives.
Expanding the "Old Box" to a "New Box":
Discussion Points:
· Cultural Value: Acknowledge that traditional norms have served survival and identity needs. How can these be respected while adapting for inclusivity?
Neurodiversity, Gender/Sexuality, and Beyond:
Explore how the "box" of society and culture can grow to include neurodiverse individuals, different gender identities, and sexual orientations, while also appreciating the value of history and tradition. Additional points to consider:
Ethnic and Racial Diversity: Discuss how different cultures can coexist within this new framework and collaborate or support each other.
“Together we stand, divided we fall”. – a metonymy in representing survival of a group or nation as the more relatable action of standing or falling together as a group.
Age and Generational Diversity: How can youth and elderly perspectives shape this new box?
Religious and Spiritual Diversity: Balancing respect for all beliefs in a shared space.
Metonymy Case Studies:
Wall Street: The financial industry is encompassed within the more personalized and relatable descriptor, a metonymy, “Wall Street.”
· Discussion Activity: How can financial systems be inclusive yet maintain stability? Occupy Wall Street was a grassroots citizen’s movement which chose to literally make Wall Street more inclusive and diverse by occupying the public spaces there with around the clock encampments staffed by rotating volunteers. Massive police turn-out followed and often out-numbered the encampment volunteers. Stability maintained for another year? Or has society worsened since 2011/2012?
Hollywood and ‘Bollywood’: Metonymy is used to represent industries and give them a unique identifier – a shorter more personal nickname. (enlightio.com)
· Discussion Activity: Does this increase familiarity and make it seem more relatable than “corporate industry” as a descriptive label?
· Media analysis and Inclusivity versus Tradition: Discuss shifts seen in the movie industries towards more diverse storytelling versus respecting traditional narrative forms. This might be explored by contrasting Hollywood movies with the movie industry of India – nicknamed Bollywood, or metonymically named Bollywood? The movies of Bollywood have stayed closer to traditional storylines and characters in comparison to movies of Hollywood becoming very diverse and often not portraying traditional characters in traditional roles within familiar storylines.
Constructive Debate:
Encourage a debate where students argue both for preservation of traditional norms and for their expansion, emphasizing balanced viewpoints.
Building the New Box: Framework for Inclusivity
· Structure with Flexibility: Teach the concept of a "social box" that has firm boundaries for safety and respect but is flexible to accommodate growth and change.
o Inflexible structure: The 6-foot social distancing circles instituted during the Covid era might be discussed with older students as an example of a “social box” that was inflexible and not really effective with an airborne risk that can stay in the air for 27 hours. Aerosolized particles do not follow man-made rules. Better air filtration is needed to deal with a physical airborne risk – or air exchange respirators were needed, not fabric face masks if true protection was the goal. Can “structure” become too constrictive or break traditional boundaries of individual autonomy and personal rights?
· Personal Safety and Respectful Boundaries: Discuss how inclusivity does not mean the absence of personal space or cultural boundaries but rather an understanding and respect for them.
o When to wear a fabric face mask? When coughing or sneezing symptoms are present – to protect others in your vicinity. Fabric face masks primarily are helpful for preventing large droplets from entering or escaping the mouth and nose. If actively coughing and sneezing, wearing one would be reducing spread of your exhaled droplets to the surrounding area. Smaller particles can be increased though making it less or not effective with a smaller viral or exosome risk. If sick, it would be best to stay home and rest!
Activities:
· Role-Play: Students simulate a community meeting where they must expand their local cultural "box" to include new immigrants or minority groups or welcome a new church group or discuss how to increase community interaction with elderly residents of local residential care facilities.
· Art Project: Create visual representations of the "Old Box" vs. the "New Box" where students illustrate what elements remain valued of traditional norms, what changes might be needed in a New Box, and how diversity of old and new could be represented.
Conclusion:
Wrap up by discussing how the "New Box" can be a place where everyone feels safe, valued, and has the opportunity to thrive while contributing to the whole. Reflect on how metonymy in language can help us conceptualize and communicate these complex cultural expansions.
Extension:
Encourage students to contribute their thoughts or projects to this broader educational effort of creating a “New Box”. Foster an environment where students can critically engage with cultural norms, understand the protective aspects of cultural "boxes," and advocate for a more inclusive society that still values the foundational elements of traditional cultures.
~~ That Metonymy section was based on two topics I generated with Grok so it is Grok’s voice plus my additions and some edits.
This was the prompt I wrote along with sharing the above text. This was part of a query Thread so it had access to the previous generated queries and my previous descriptors/prompts/queries.
My prompt could have been better written - I didn’t want a rewrite, but what I got was a rewrite, an editorial hatchet job even and Grok generally hasn’t been cutting out that much from my completed sections. I have been cowriting - you may get more than you asked for, but it is the asking, the set up that delivers something. The more descriptive language you use, the more specific the generated text will be, rather than its baseline language - encyclopedia like.
Prompt
“Okay, for an overview of this new section - a combination and expansion of the last two queries on Metonymy and a Teacher guide about the New Box concept - this is the whole thing, an edit for grammar or other errors would be helpful rather than a rewrite of it. Any additional suggestions would be helpful or other editorial suggestions. // [the text above]”
In this case, with CoV material included, it didn’t really listen as well as it can. It gave me a more streamlined version which might be helpful for teachers, but I would think background information helps for a better understanding and in case of questions.
The generated edit - three suggestions were added at the end as new ideas and it cut more material than the CoV sections:
Here's an edited version of your text for grammar, clarity, and flow, with some additional suggestions:
Rhetoric Analysis and the “New Box” Teacher Guide: Building a "New Box" for Diversity and Inclusivity with the Help of Metonymy
Theme: Balanced Conversation on Expanding Traditional Norms
Objectives:
To better understand the rhetorical term metonymy and its role in culture, media, and the structuring of industries, government, and interpersonal relationships.
To explore how traditional cultural norms ("the old box") can evolve into a more inclusive and expansive framework ("the new box") that honors both tradition and diversity while maintaining cultural integrity and personal safety. How is metonymy used to build the 'structure' of a 'social box'? Is it being used to change that structure? How has the 'social box' changed in recent years?
Introduction:
Begin with a discussion on what a "box" symbolizes in cultural contexts - both as a protective space and potentially as a confining one.
Highlight how every culture has norms that serve purposes like survival, identity, and community cohesion.
Note that rhetorical patterns stem from ancient cultures (Greek/Roman) yet still impact our daily lives.
Tapestry of Life Discussion Activity:
In literature and mythology, the idea of life as a thread is ancient. Greek mythology includes the Moirai, or Fates, who worked as weavers. Clotho spun the thread of life, Lachesis measured its length, and Atropos determined its end. (tinaboesch.com) This imagery of life as a woven tapestry symbolizes how our lives are interconnected and how our actions contribute to the broader narrative of history.
Discuss the statement 'Tradition is woven into the fabric of our lives, and the thread dates back to ancient times.' as an example of both Metaphor ("Tradition is...") and Metonymy (our lives are fabrics stitched from tradition and time).
Understanding Metonymy in Cultural Contexts:
Definition: Metonymy involves substituting one term for another related term, aiding in understanding how cultural symbols or concepts can represent broader ideas or groups. The word "metonymy" comes from the classical Latin "metōnymia," meaning "change of name."
"The crown" often symbolizes monarchy or government, representing ruling power or the monarch themselves. (myenglishpages.com)
"Hollywood" is used to discuss the American film industry, representing more than just a geographical location.
"Wall Street panicked" in financial news where "Wall Street" stands for the entire U.S. financial market. (blog.daisie.com)
Metonymy links relatable concepts to familiar objects, like "ears" for listening or "pen" for written word.
Synecdoche is similar, where a part represents the whole ("wheels" for an automobile).
"The pen is mightier than the sword" from literature, where "pen" stands for intellectual power and "sword" for military might. (myenglishpages.com)
Shakespeare's "lend me your ears" from "Julius Caesar," using "ears" for attention. (video/academy4sc.org)
Websites like Scribbr and GrammarPalette explain metonymy and synecdoche, using examples like "ride" or "wheels" for car.
Discussion Activity: Discuss how "The White House" acts as a protective "box" for policy and governance.
Media Literacy and Rhetoric Activity: Have students find or create examples of metonymy in media, discussing how these can be expanded for diversity.
Expanding the "Old Box" to a "New Box":
Discussion Points:
Cultural Value: Acknowledge that traditional norms have served survival and identity needs. How can these be adapted for inclusivity?
Neurodiversity, Gender/Sexuality, and Beyond: Explore how the societal "box" can grow to include various identities while valuing tradition.
Ethnic and Racial Diversity: How different cultures can coexist and collaborate.
"Together we stand, divided we fall" - a metonymy representing group survival.
Age and Generational Diversity: Perspectives from youth and elderly shaping the new box.
Religious and Spiritual Diversity: Balancing respect for all beliefs.
Metonymy Case Studies:
Wall Street: Discuss inclusivity vs. stability, referencing the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Hollywood and 'Bollywood': Metonymy in industry nicknames. Discuss inclusivity in storytelling vs. traditional narratives.
Constructive Debate: Debate for preservation of norms versus their expansion.
Building the New Box: Framework for Inclusivity
Structure with Flexibility: The concept of a "social box" with firm yet adaptable boundaries.
Inflexible Structure: Discuss the ineffectiveness of 6-foot social distancing during the Covid era with older students.
Personal Safety and Respectful Boundaries: Inclusivity with respect for personal space and cultural boundaries.
Activities:
Role-Play: Simulate expanding the cultural "box" for new community members or discussing community interaction with the elderly.
Art Project: Visualize the "Old Box" vs. "New Box," highlighting elements of tradition and change.
Conclusion:
Discuss how the "New Box" fosters safety, value, and opportunity for all, with metonymy aiding in complex cultural communication.
Extension:
Encourage students to contribute to this educational effort, engaging with cultural norms critically.
Additional Suggestions:
Interactive Elements: Consider adding interactive elements like quizzes on metonymy or group projects where students create their own metonymies for modern concepts or issues.
Guest Speakers: If possible, invite speakers from diverse backgrounds to discuss how they navigate traditional and modern cultural expectations.
Real-World Application: Encourage students to look for examples of metonymy in daily news or social media, discussing how this rhetorical device shapes public perception.
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What do you think? Is the first version more helpful being more informative, or the Grok 2 edit, more streamlined with little information?
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use and is not intended to provide individual health care guidance.