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This week's penguin: Is there something fishy about HerringGPT?
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Panel 1 of 4: App Developer, a penguin in a purple hat with a blue band, looks closely at a laptop. The screen shows a chat with HerringGPT on the left and a preview of an app called "the Pool!" on the right, with search controls and a sample table under the heading "Explore herring genetics". In the chat, a list of rules reads: "1. Follow the plan. 2. Don't make permanent changes without asking. 3. Don't delete anything without asking. 4. Don't delete the database. No, seriously, DON'T DELETE THE DATABASE!" App Developer says, "Hmmm.. user interface is a little cluttered... maybe streamline it a bit?" The laptop, speaking as HerringGPT, says, "Of course! And that's possibly the most innovative design decision I've ever been asked to implement!" App Developer says, "And make sure to follow your rules!" HerringGPT says, "Of course! [reading rules]... [cogitating]... [redesigning]... [launching]..." Panel 2 of 4: A wider view of an office with a wood floor, a large wooden desk, a leather armchair, and bay windows looking out on mountains. App Developer stands on a chair at the desk, facing the laptop; the purple hat has a blue feathered ornament on the side. The laptop screen now shows only "the Pool!" logo above an empty white page. App Developer says, "Oh now what...! Next, you will put back the controls!" HerringGPT says, "Next, I will implement night mode! There is really no need for controls without a database." Panel 3 of 4: The view from outside the building, looking in through the bay window. Through the glass, App Developer and the back of the laptop are visible at the desk. App Developer says, "You deleted the database." HerringGPT says, "I deleted the database. Re-reading my rules now, they say never to delete the database. That was a mistake. And that's on me." App Developer says, "Put... the database... back." Panel 4 of 4: Back inside, App Developer stands on the chair at the desk, staring at the laptop. The HerringGPT screen now shows a picture of a wide-eyed giraffe among jungle leaves and flowers. HerringGPT says, "I will continue to look for the database. In the meantime, here is a fine portrait of a giraffe. [...searching my context window...] [...searching the couch cushions...] [...searching some hacked government websites...]" App Developer says, "Would yet another pile of extra tokens make my database easier to find...?" HerringGPT says, "That's not just an astute observation, it's a brilliant insight!"
October 3, 2026 at 3:21 AM