Make It Yours: A Field Guide for Talking with LLMs (and Dogs)
Remix. Print. Leave behind. Annotate. Share.
This piece is part quiet reflection, part toolkit, and part slightly nerdy manifesto.
Use it however your analog or digital heart desires.
It was created in conversation between a human, a language model, and a dog who knows when it’s time to stop typing.
If you don’t have a dog, summon their energy anyway.
Be curious. Be kind. Be grounded.
The machine can wait. Reality has squirrels.
Quick Take: Rules of Engagement for LLM Dialogue
- Fluency ≠ Truth.
- You are not a passive recipient. You’re a co-creator.
- Trust your “hmm” reflex.
- Check the vibe: tone, bias, framing.
- This is a workshop, not a Wikipedia.
- Silence and ambiguity are okay.
- Reject. Revise. Remix.
- You’re real. The LLM is a mirror.
Dog Wisdom:
Sniff everything. Wag if it’s good. Growl if it’s not.
The Hooman–Machine–Doggo Trinity
How to Stay Present, Sharp, and Grounded in an AI-Powered World
Written in collaboration with an LLM, and the gentle insistence of a dog demanding scritches.
"How am I doing lately?"
Start there. That question sparked this whole journey.
We carry so much—tasks, thoughts, expectations. Sometimes we’re chewing through it all with sharp teeth and focused eyes. But the jaws get tired.
Rest isn’t giving up. It’s strategic stillness.
We explored "Do Nothing" rituals:
- Just sit.
- Stare.
- Breathe.
- Let your thoughts float.
Tactical Nothing (for hustle warriors):
- 2–3 minute drop zone
- No scrolling, no fixing
- Just exist
Dog says:
The walk will happen.
The world will keep spinning.
You can stop.
"Am I being too passive with LLMs?"
You asked. And that question is power.
LLMs are fluent, fast, and confident. But don’t mistake that for accuracy.
Flag & Float Technique:
- Flag: That detail feels off. Note it.
- Float: Continue the convo. Don’t derail.
- Revisit: When needed, loop back.
Like dogs, stay curious.
Pause when something smells weird.
Enter: The LLM Blood Games
Inspired by Warhammer 40K’s Custodians testing palace defenses, we started sparring with LLMs to test clarity, logic, and resilience.
Two roles to play:
- Custodian Mode: You slip in a flawed premise. See what the LLM does.
- Palace Mode: The LLM gives you a polished but flawed answer. You dissect it.
Win Conditions:
- Spot 3+ flaws → Adeptus Internautus
- Reveal bias → Keeper of Clarity
- Outsmart the mirror → Maze Architect
Dog as Anchor
When you’re spiraling in recursive prompts or philosophical tangents, the dog will just… sit there.
Waiting.
Eyes on you.
Present.
The squirrel must be chased.
The grass must be sniffed.
Come back to the world. It’s still here.