ChatG(eppetto)P(inocchio)T
Language Log 2025-12-11
The start of today's SMBC:
The last two panels:
The mouseover title: "Poor guy's immortal again."
The aftercomic:

It would be more accurate for the thought balloon to read "Sucks being a stochastic stimulus-response machine", but whatever. . .
It's surprising that the Pinocchio==LLM analogy isn't more widespread, especially given the (apparently inevitable) propensity of LLMs for "hallucinations".
Here's what Nano Banana Pro renders given the prompt "Show Sam Altman as Geppetto carving Pinocchio": 
Someone with more time than I have this morning should experiment with asking various AI image generation programs to put Sam's head on the original Collodi illustration: 
I should also show you what Nano Banana Pro offers as "Show Thinking":
Crafting a Narrative
I'm currently focused on the specific subject. I'm imagining Sam Altman, transformed into Geppetto, deeply engrossed in carving Pinocchio. I need to capture the essence of the scene. I am working on the pose, the setting, and how to best convey the emotion of creation. The style should be realistic, capturing the textures of the wood and the tools.
Developing the Composition
I've broken down the request into key elements. I am visualizing Sam Altman in the role and defining the key action – carving the wooden Pinocchio. Now, I am exploring how to arrange the workshop environment and use lighting to get the desired nostalgic feel. I am thinking of warm, natural light for the desired "candid photograph" vibe.
Verifying the Visuals
I'm now cross-referencing the initial request with the current visual representation. I've focused on the successful integration of the core elements. A specific person is now dressed in specific clothes doing something specific. The focus has been on capturing the desired elements accurately.
Reviewing the Composition
I'm checking that the representation aligns with the user's initial intentions and the detailed description provided. The subject's role, setting, and actions are now precisely rendered and meet the criteria outlined previously. The key focus is on ensuring all the elements match the user's explicit instructions.
