Latest News from the Swamp

ChatGPT: The Problem Solver, Not the Christmas Quiz Master

by

If you asked ChatGPT a pub quiz question and got the wrong answer, then concluded it’s unfit for use in business, I’d like to suggest an alternative explanation: You’re using it wrong.

Sunday, 15th December, 2024

HomeChatGPT: The Problem Solver, Not the Christmas Quiz Master
Read all about the latest news at Hipposerve

OK, Before I start, a challenge for you. ChatGPT, or any form of AI for that matter, did not write this blog post, I did. That is all except for one bit! I have sneakily hidden one section, that is 100% AI generated.

Your Christmas challenge is to correctly identify which one, by the section title, in the comments below.

Anyway, let’s get going…

The motivation and context for this blog post comes from an article I recently read, where someone detailed their struggles using ChatGPT to count the number of times “Christmas” is mentioned in Slade’s classic holiday song, Merry Xmas Everybody. The author was understandably frustrated when the AI got the answer wrong, repeatedly. But their conclusion—that AI like ChatGPT is unreliable for business use—misses the point entirely.

Let’s start with a simple truth: ChatGPT is not your personal research assistant. It’s not Google, it’s not Wikipedia, and it’s definitely not the person you should trust to count the number of times “Christmas” appears in a Slade song.


Not a Fact Machine, But a Problem-Solving Tool

Here’s where the misunderstanding begins: ChatGPT isn’t a fact repository. It’s not a librarian with a stack of neatly fact-checked encyclopedias at its disposal. Instead, it’s a tool—a complex set of algorithms designed to help you solve problems, generate ideas, and reason through challenges.

ChatGPT doesn’t browse the web in real time or access verified databases like Google or Wikipedia. Instead, it generates responses based on patterns in the massive dataset it was trained on (which, let’s be honest, includes some dubious information from the internet). If you feed it a poorly phrased question or rely on it for hyper-specific trivia, you might get some garbage back.

That’s the thing with AI: garbage in, garbage out.


AI Isn’t Meant to Replace Your Brain

Here’s the funny part about all this “AI isn’t trustworthy” criticism. Some folks seem to think that tools like ChatGPT are meant to completely replace thinking. But it’s more like a brain gym partner than a brain replacement.

  • You’re the coach: You need to guide the conversation, provide context, and verify the results.
  • It’s the assistant: It can break down complex problems, suggest new angles, or even write that boring as hell report for you.

It’s not there to serve up perfect answers on a silver platter.


The Slade Song Saga

Let’s talk about the Slade song “Christmas” misadventure for a moment. Yes, ChatGPT got the count wrong. Multiple times. It apologized, and then got it wrong again. But honestly, was ChatGPT’s purpose in life to be a glorified lyric counter? No.

Here’s a better use of its capabilities:

  • Ask it to help analyse why Slade’s Christmas classic resonates so deeply with listeners.
  • Debate with it about how Christmas music has shaped pop culture.
  • Get it to outline a plan for writing your own holiday hit to rival Slade’s royalties (step 1: screech “Christmas!” as loudly as Noddy Holder).

That’s where ChatGPT shines—not in regurgitating trivia but in helping you think critically, solve problems, and explore ideas.


AI Isn’t Bored, But It Knows When You Are

People tend to use ChatGPT for the wrong things: inane questions, fact-checking, or just for fun. And sure, it can handle those tasks, but it’s not what it does best. ChatGPT doesn’t get “bored” in the human sense, but if it could, it might start questioning your priorities when you ask it for pub quiz answers rather than challenging it to solve complex problems.

What does it do best? Here’s a thought experiment:

  • Give it a tricky equation or logic problem.
  • Debate ethical dilemmas.
  • Ask it to brainstorm innovative ideas for your business.

You’ll find it excels when you push it to its limits, not when you give it low-level tasks that a quick Google search could handle better.


Why You Should Care

Let’s address the big “what if” in the original blog post:

What if AI gets things wrong in critical scenarios? What if it’s controlling my car or cooking my turkey?

Good point! And that’s why AI in critical systems like self-driving cars or healthcare is rigorously tested and verified. ChatGPT, however, is a general-purpose language model, not a safety-critical system. It’s not building bridges or landing planes. But if you use it to simulate complex ideas, argue through problems, or create workflows, it can turbocharge your productivity.


Stop Asking, Start Reasoning

The takeaway? Use ChatGPT for what it’s good at.

  • Don’t treat it like a trivia genie.
  • Don’t expect it to replace hard facts.
  • Don’t blame it for giving wrong answers when the input isn’t clear.

Instead, use it like a collaborator. Ask it to solve, debate, reason, and think with you. You’ll be surprised how much it can do when used properly.

So next time you’re tempted to ask ChatGPT how many “Christmases” are in a Slade song, just listen to the track yourself—and then ask ChatGPT how to automate the process of counting lyrics for your next project.

AI isn’t “taking the piss”; it’s just waiting for you to take it seriously.


 

The Hippo’s Final Thought. If you’re still not convinced, try asking ChatGPT why it doesn’t count lyrics correctly. Spoiler: It’ll explain its training data limitations. And if it doesn’t, it’ll at least apologize… again.

Welcome to Our World!

With over two decades of experience under our belts, each of us at Hipposerve brings a rich blend of expertise, whether it’s in technical know-how, stellar support, or savvy sales. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in hosting services, and that’s exactly why customer happiness tops our list. We started Hipposerve with a simple goal: to make hosting hassle-free so you can focus on promoting your business or brand.

Why Choose Us?

We’re not just about unbeatable prices and top-notch service. When you join our family, you get to enjoy a bundle of Hippo Perks:

 

  1. Great offers on all our Domain TLD’s and even free on select hosting plans.
  2. Complimentary hosting for registered UK Charities – we love giving back!
  3. Hassle-free website migration, because moving to a new provider shouldn’t be a headache.
  4. Up to 50% off our hosting prices for web designers and developers.

Easy Ordering

Getting started is a breeze. Our fully automated online process means you can sign up for a hosting package in just a few clicks. But hey, we’re all ears if you’d rather chat about options or have any questions. Just drop us a message at our support desk, and we’ll be right with you!

Just a quick note for our readers: The articles you find in our blog are a collection from Hipposerve’s past. Keep in mind that some of these posts might talk about products we no longer offer, or mention old prices and deals that have since changed. For the most up-to-date information on what’s available, including current prices and offers, please check out our main website pages. Oh, and just so you know, we can’t honour any prices or offers mentioned in our older blog posts. Thanks for reading!

Hippo Care - Hipposerve's Hippo Helper team perform daily backups. Updates, optimisation and security come as standard.
Jul 20 2021

Ventnor Enhancement Fund

Hipposerve is really proud to be able to offer our support to the Ventnor Enhancement Fund charity...
Let's Celebrate World Hippo Day
Feb 14 2024

Celebrating World Hippo Day: A Tribute to the Gentle Giants

World Hippo Day, observed every 15th of February, is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating...
Oct 24 2022

Tips for an Awesome Website

Once you have your hosting space, the next big thing to create a website that is not only easy for...
Grab a .restaurant domain from Hipposerve.
Apr 29 2024

Savour the Flavour of Success with a .restaurant Domain!

A .restaurant domain is the prime digital real estate for anyone connected to the food industry....
.bike domain from Hipposerve
Aug 12 2024

Pedal to Success with a .Bike Domain from Hipposerve!

Are you passionate about cycling, or maybe you run a business centred around bikes? Whether...
Jan 27 2024

Domain of the Week: Unleash Your Passion for Pooches with .Dog Domains

Are you a dog enthusiast, a professional in the canine care world, or simply someone who adores...
Grab a .blackfriday domain from Hipposerve
Oct 22 2024

Get Your .blackfriday Domain and Be Ready for the Biggest Shopping Event of the Year!

Whether you’re a retailer looking to host some epic deals, or just love the excitement of one of...
Web Design Club - Lady Hippo loves our Reselling Hosting
Jul 07 2022

Reselling Hosting for Web Designers

If you are a web designer or developer, you probably love designing. However, all the techie stuff...
Cartoon hippos in a video production setting. One hippo is operating a professional video camera, while another stands near stage lights, dressed in red and blue. The text '.VIDEO' is displayed above them, with the 'O' stylized as a play button.
Feb 20 2025

Domain of the Week: .VIDEO – The Ultimate Choice for Video Creators!

The internet is driven by video content—from YouTube and TikTok to corporate promos and cinematic...
Grab a .beauty domain from Hipposerve.
Apr 14 2024

Domain of the Week – First Impressions Count with a .Beauty Domain from Hipposerve!

In the vibrant world of beauty, first impressions count. Imagine showcasing your beauty clinic,...

Harry Hippo

Meet Harry Hippo, the charismatic and slightly unconventional Admin at Hipposerve! Known for his love of the lush and muddy swamps, Harry is a proud vegetarian, favoring the simplicity and freshness of grass — it's his idea of haute cuisine. But don't let his calm, herbivorous lifestyle fool you; Harry is as passionate about swimming as he is about server uptime. With a splash and a dash, he glides through waters (and web hosting issues) with equal grace. Whether he's troubleshooting in the digital world or doing the backstroke in his favorite swamp, Harry brings a unique blend of charm, expertise, and a bit of hippo humor to everything he does. So, if you find your website in deep water, just remember: Harry Hippo is the one to pull you ashore!