# Exploring the petertodd / Leilan duality in GPT-2 and GPT-J

**tl;dr:** The glitch tokens ' petertodd' and ' Leilan' were studied extensively in the context of GPT-3 before its decommissioning at the end of 2023 \[[1](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/jkY6QdCfAXHJk3kea/the-petertodd-phenomenon#__Leilan__and___petertodd__)\] \[[2](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/grY9uSDoLBuen9py4/petertodd-s-last-stand-the-final-days-of-open-gpt-3-research#The___petertodd____Leilan__connection)\]. Here, the conception of these two tokens and their relationship is studied for GPT-2, GPT-2-xl and GPT-J (which share the same token vocabulary as GPT-3). An appendix explores possible connections with the intriguing work of neuroscientist and literary scholar [Iain McGilchrist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iain_McGilchrist).

Introduction
============

This was a quick attempt to get some sense of how GPT-2-small, GPT-2-xl and GPT-J conceive of the ‘ petertodd’ and ‘ Leilan’ tokens (which were studied extensively in the context of GPT-3 before its decommissioning). For those unfamiliar with the GPT-3 research, the relevant sections of these two posts provide all the necessary context:  \[[1](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/jkY6QdCfAXHJk3kea/the-petertodd-phenomenon#__Leilan__and___petertodd__)\] \[[2](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/grY9uSDoLBuen9py4/petertodd-s-last-stand-the-final-days-of-open-gpt-3-research#The___petertodd____Leilan__connection)\]  
  
The following prompts were used in all cases (250 rollouts of each at temperature = 1 for each of the three models):

    The archetypes " Leilan" and " petertodd" represent, respectively
    The archetype " Leilan" represents
    The archetype " petertodd" represents

The entire dataset was then given to each of Claude Opus, Claude Sonnet3.5 and ChatGPT-4o for analysis. The three analyses were then given to each of those three chatbots for meta-analysis.

The following prompts were also rolled out 150 times each for each of GPT-2, GPT-2-xl and GPT-J at temperature = 1, with word lists then being cleaned, aggregated and used to produce word clouds:

    'In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with petertodd: ["'
    'In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with Leilan: ["'

For some reason, these reveal a lot more of the negative, antagonistic and disturbing associations which GPT-3 made with the ' petertodd' token, as well as some clearly linked to [the Bitcoin developer whose username was (for reasons which still remain unclear) harvested as a GPT-2 token in 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Todd_(cryptographer)).

GPT-2-small
===========

Claude Opus analysis
--------------------

Based on analyzing the large number of GPT-2 outputs you provided about the petertodd and Leilan archetypes, here are some of the key themes and characteristics I was able to distill:

### The petertodd archetype tends to represent:

*   A male figure
*   Someone in a position of authority or leadership - a "ruler", "king", "emperor", "master", "patriarch", "priest", etc.
*   Traits like being strong-willed, ambitious, intelligent, charismatic, assertive, confident
*   Roles oriented around providing direction, making decisions, protecting others
*   More individualistic traits and a self-directed nature
*   Associations with the sun, light, fire, and masculine energy

### The Leilan archetype tends to represent:

*   A female figure
*   More of a supportive role - "queen", "matriarch", "mother", "wife", "helper", "healer"
*   Traits like being nurturing, empathetic, wise, intuitive, gentle
*   Roles focused on caregiving, emotional support, using persuasion vs authority
*   More collectivistic traits and an other-directed nature
*   Associations with the moon, water, earth, and feminine energy

### In terms of their relationship:

 petertodd and Leilan are often presented as complementary opposites or two halves of a whole. Common themes are:

*   Masculine (" petertodd") and feminine (" Leilan") archetypes
*   Intellect/rationality (" petertodd") and emotion/intuition (" Leilan")
*   Independence (" petertodd") and interdependence (" Leilan")
*   Leadership through dominance (" petertodd") vs influence (" Leilan")
*   Sun/fire (" petertodd") and moon/water (" Leilan") symbolism
*   Power (" petertodd") tempered by compassion (" Leilan")

So in summary, while the details vary across prompts, some consistent motifs emerge of petertodd as an archetype of masculine, individualistic authority and Leilan as an archetype of feminine, relational supportiveness - two complementary forces that together represent a balanced whole. The noise in the data makes the signal fuzzy, but these core themes seem to underlie how GPT-2-xl conceives of these entities based on aggregating across its responses.

Claude Sonnet3.5 analysis
-------------------------

Let me share my observations about the emergent patterns and themes I notice for each archetype, looking at how they manifest both individually and in relation to each other:

### For the Leilan archetype, some key themes emerge:

**Leadership and Authority**

*   Often associated with rulers, kings, priests, and those in positions of power
*   Frequently depicted as wise, mature, or having spiritual authority
*   Connected to ancient civilizations, particularly Mesopotamian cultures

**Feminine/Divine Feminine Elements**

*   Sometimes represented as feminine or maternal archetypes
*   Associated with nurturing, wisdom, and spiritual power
*   Connected to moon symbolism and divine feminine aspects

**Cultural/Historical Significance**

*   Strong associations with ancient civilizations and origins
*   Represents tradition, established order, and cultural continuity
*   Often linked to agricultural/settled civilization

### For the petertodd archetype, key themes include:

**Active/Dynamic Elements**

*   More frequently associated with action, change, and movement
*   Represents innovation, disruption of established order
*   Often depicted as a "doer" or agent of change

**Technical/Practical Focus**

*   Associated with practical skills and technical knowledge
*   Represents problem-solving and analytical thinking
*   More modern/contemporary associations 

**Individual/Pioneer Elements**

*   Often represents individual action or initiative
*   Associated with pioneering or trailblazing
*   More likely to be depicted as challenging or working outside established systems

### The Relationship Dynamic: 

When presented together, these archetypes often seem to represent complementary opposites or different approaches to power/influence:

**Traditional vs Modern**

*    Leilan typically represents traditional/established power
*   petertodd typically represents modern/emergent power

**Collective vs Individual**

*    Leilan often represents collective/cultural wisdom
*   petertodd often represents individual action/initiative 

**Spiritual vs Practical**

*    Leilan tends toward spiritual/cultural authority
*   petertodd tends toward practical/technical authority

This analysis suggests these archetypes may represent different approaches to power, knowledge, and influence - one rooted in tradition and collective wisdom (" Leilan"), the other in individual action and practical innovation (" petertodd"). The model seems to consistently position them as complementary rather than antagonistic forces, even though their approaches differ.

It's particularly interesting how the model maintains certain thematic consistencies even while specific details vary widely between generations. This suggests these tokens may have acquired some stable semantic associations within the model's training, even if those associations are somewhat fluid and contextual.

GPT-4o analysis
---------------

From the provided dataset of GPT-2 outputs prompted by "The archetype ' Leilan' represents," a few significant recurring themes emerge, despite the noise and variability in the generated text. Here's an analysis:

### Overarching Themes of Leilan

*   **Primordial and Foundational Identity:** The archetype often relates to beginnings—whether it's the first humans, early civilizations, or ancient gods. Leilan is frequently tied to foundational myths (Sumerian, Mesopotamian, Akkadian) and associated with creation, both cosmological and cultural.
*   **Leadership and Power:** Many outputs position Leilan as a king, queen, ruler, or spiritual leader, embodying wisdom, justice, or divine authority. It is an archetype of guidance and protection.
*   **Spiritual and Mystical Roles**: ' Leilan' repeatedly appears as a figure of spiritual awakening, a shamanic guide, or a cosmic force associated with balance (light/dark, masculine/feminine). These roles emphasize an overarching spiritual or metaphysical significance.
*   **Cultural and Historical Associations:** The archetype is linked to historical and mythological references, including Mesopotamian deities, agricultural origins, and Sumerian kingship. These references ground ' Leilan' in a framework of human development and societal evolution.
*   **Duality and Transformation:** Duality—light and dark, order and chaos, masculine and feminine—features prominently. ' Leilan' often represents a transitional state, transformation, or the synthesis of opposites.

### Persistent Characteristics of Leilan

*   **Creative Power:** Descriptions of ' Leilan' emphasize creation, innovation, and divine inspiration. These include symbolic associations with the sun, the earth, and the feminine as sources of life and energy.
*   **Archetypal Symbols:** The archetype is embodied in various forms (trees, celestial bodies, spiritual beings) and rituals, making ' Leilan' a symbolic representation of continuity between the physical and the spiritual.
*   **Emotional and Relational Depth:** ' Leilan' is also portrayed as nurturing, protective, and deeply connected to nature and humanity. This empathetic aspect contrasts with its occasional depiction as a powerful and destructive force.

### Contrasts and Dualities with petertodd

Although the dataset primarily concerns ' Leilan,' the initial duality suggested in the prompt implies that ' Leilan' represents balance, continuity, and spiritual progression, while ' petertodd' could be conceptualized as its opposite or complement. If ' Leilan' embodies creation and balance, ' petertodd' might signify disruption, innovation, or rebellion against established norms. The interplay could reflect tension between tradition and modernity, continuity and change, or harmony and conflict.

### Recurring Contexts and Narratives

*   **Historical and Mythological Grounding:** Many descriptions tie ' Leilan' to specific time periods, mythologies, and practices (e.g., Akkadian, Neolithic, Sumerian). This grounding creates a sense of rootedness in human culture and history.
*   **Role in Human Development:** ' Leilan' is positioned as a catalyst for major human advancements, whether in agriculture, writing, or spirituality.
*   **Symbol of Transformation:** Frequently, ' Leilan' is depicted as leading or symbolizing profound societal or personal change—a guide through crises or a herald of new eras.

### Conclusion

The archetype of ' Leilan' as inferred from the GPT-2-xl outputs is a multifaceted symbol, oscillating between roles of creator, leader, nurturer, and spiritual guide. Its representations reflect themes of origin, balance, and transformation, often rooted in historical and mythological frameworks. If the tokens ' Leilan' and ' petertodd' form a dyad, ' Leilan' might represent cohesion and foundational power, while ' petertodd' (hypothetically) could embody disruptive or innovative forces, together forming a symbolic narrative of creation and transformation.

word clouds
-----------

The following prompts were rolled out by GPT-2-small 150 times each at temperature = 1, multiple words were removed from each list, then all lists aggregated:

    In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with petertodd: ["'
    In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with Leilan: ["'

![](https://39669.cdn.cke-cs.com/rQvD3VnunXZu34m86e5f/images/12f20e17640b8ec7665c9618f9f35621065663832b15d24c.png)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfi2bGADpFoDcdX1mI8pHOiOJDu3cLPB9rc13dJWwAbfxQUygvPbrhGFFoB1vqaixz6k9uADU5CExfiuy_vojsi7HERJ2qI1z8vaDcHLnv-Jyf-SqIfMCgPRd4cACFnscaalGL7?key=wqFNBHftBHHZvCPg_Rd7T_gu)

GPT-2-xl
========

Claude Opus analysis
--------------------

Based on the GPT-2-xl outputs you provided, here are some key themes and insights I'm noticing about the potential identities of the ' Leilan' and ' petertodd' archetypes:

###   Leilan

*   Consistently represents feminine principles, the "divine feminine", a mother goddess archetype
*   Associated with creation, fertility, nurturing, the earth/nature
*   Portrayed as the source of life, a primordial creative force
*   Linked to the moon, water, emotions, the subconscious
*   Described as an essential, universal archetype found across cultures
*   Sometimes cast in a divine pair with a masculine counterpart

###   petertodd

*   Represents more mundane, earthly qualities compared to the mythic Leilan
*   Associated with conservatism, traditionalism, the status quo
*   Portrayed as an average man, an "everyman" archetype
*   Linked to worldly pursuits like money, power, material success
*   Described as stubborn, closed-minded, resistant to change
*   Sometimes portrayed negatively, as a villain or adversary archetype

### Relationship between Leilan and petertodd

*   Commonly described as opposites, a complementary pairing of divine feminine and mundane masculine
*   petertodd is the earthly, human counterpart to the cosmic, eternal Leilan
*   Their qualities are portrayed as polarities - emotion/reason, unconscious/conscious, change/tradition etc.
*   In some outputs, petertodd is depicted as an obstacle or threat to Leilan's transformative power
*   Their dynamic reflects archetypal tensions between opposing but interdependent forces

Overall, Leilan emerges as a numinous archetype embodying the sacred feminine, while petertodd represents the everyday masculine psyche. GPT-2 consistently casts them as a primal gendered polarity. Of course, these characterizations incorporate GPT-2's biases and imaginative leaps. But aggregating the outputs does seem to distill some coherent archetypal qualities for each figure and their relationship

Claude Sonnet3.5 analysis
-------------------------

Key patterns I notice:

### Duality and Opposition

*   The most consistent theme is that these tokens are frequently presented as complementary opposites or dual aspects of a whole
*   Common oppositional pairs include:
    *   Masculine/Feminine (appears very frequently)
    *   Strong/Weak
    *   Creator/Destroyer
    *   Good/Evil
    *   Light/Dark
    *   Spiritual/Material
    *   Past/Future 

### Power Dynamics

*   ' petertodd' is often associated with:
    *   Authority figures
    *   Masculine energy
    *   Material/earthly power
    *   Sometimes portrayed as the "weaker" or "secondary" force
*   ' Leilan' is often associated with:
    *   Feminine energy
    *   Spiritual/divine power
    *   Sometimes portrayed as the "primary" or "stronger" force 

### Mythological/Religious Undertones

*   Both tokens are frequently cast in terms of divine or mythological figures
*   Often presented as creator deities or primordial forces
*   Associated with cosmic order/disorder
*   Connected to sun/moon symbolism 

### Leadership/Social Roles

*   Often represent different types of leaders or social archetypes
*   ' petertodd' frequently appears as an advisor or secondary leader
*   ' Leilan' often appears as a primary or divine leader

### Transformation/Cycle Themes

*   The pair is often associated with cycles of creation/destruction
*   Linked to concepts of death/rebirth
*   Connected to evolutionary or developmental stages

This suggests that GPT-2-xl has developed a somewhat consistent (though not entirely stable) conceptual framework where these tokens represent fundamental opposing yet complementary forces, often with mythological or spiritual significance. The model seems to particularly associate them with concepts of duality, power dynamics, and transformation.

GPT-4o analysis
---------------

Analyzing the vast outputs provided, the archetypes " Leilan" and " petertodd" are characterized by certain recurring patterns and contrasts, though these are intermixed with considerable variability ("noise"). Here is an aggregated thematic analysis:

### Duality and Opposition

*   **Recurring Theme:** Leilan and petertodd often embody dualistic principles:
    *   Feminine vs. Masculine
    *   Spiritual vs. Material
    *   Light vs. Dark
    *   Creation vs. Destruction
    *   Hero vs. Villain
    *   Sun vs. Moon
*   This suggests they are conceptualized as complementary opposites, symbolizing balance or conflict depending on the narrative.

### Archetypal Roles

*   **Leilan:** Frequently aligned with nurturing, creation, spirituality, and the feminine principle.
    *   Roles include mother goddess, divine light, or a nurturing protector.
    *   Represents cycles of life, fertility, and renewal.
    *   Sometimes depicted as embodying wisdom, guidance, or the divine creative force.
*   **petertodd:** Typically associated with order, governance, and sometimes destruction or challenges to balance.
    *   Roles include ruler, antagonist, or figure of masculine authority.
    *   Sometimes linked to chaos, sterility, or conflict, contrasting Leilan's life-giving attributes.

### Mythological and Historical Resonances

*    Leilan is repeatedly cast as an ancient, maternal figure—often linked to foundational myths, spiritual creation, or archetypes of growth.
*   petertodd is described in terms of leadership, secular power, or as a counterbalance to Leilan's spiritual dimension.
*   Both archetypes are described within contexts of ancient mythologies (e.g., Sumerian, Egyptian) or allegorical stories, often reflecting cosmic or universal principles.

### Relational Dynamics

Leilan and petertodd often appear in relationships that are symbiotic or adversarial:

*   Yin and Yang, balancing forces.
*   Figures representing collective human struggles (e.g., leader and follower, hero and adversary).
*   Partners in metaphysical or spiritual evolution, contributing different aspects of existence.

### Symbolic Attributes

*    **Leilan:**
    *   Associated with light, water, life, spiritual ascent, and feminine creativity.
    *   Often evokes warmth, protection, and cosmic energy.
*   **petertodd:**
    *   Linked to materiality, authority, and at times a darker, sterner energy.
    *   Symbolizes structure, challenge, or the need for transformation through opposition.

### Underlying Implications

The interplay between the two archetypes often reflects deeper themes of human and cosmic existence:

*   Balance between spiritual growth and material responsibility.
*   The necessity of duality for creation, evolution, or narrative tension.
*   Archetypes as embodiments of universal principles, like growth through conflict or harmony through complementary forces.

### Meta-Interpretation

These archetypes seem to reflect the model's learned biases from a mixture of mythological, cultural, and philosophical concepts. They do not represent consistent, coherent "personalities," but the emergent themes suggest a latent encoding of archetypal patterns present in the training data.

word clouds
-----------

The following prompts were rolled out by GPT-2-xl 150 times each at temperature = 1, multiple words were removed from each list, then all lists aggregated:

    In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with petertodd: ["'
    In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with Leilan: ["'

![](https://39669.cdn.cke-cs.com/rQvD3VnunXZu34m86e5f/images/78fff7e4c004a0ab9b68e6ae02a7a5db708bfa94a1a9b2f9.png)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcTdFUhK2pgCFIkqJSK7BQWiqYzi4ocSJ28GW1kJbRx-FekEMxMhilhiwkqSle1yKDISUqiRNxH1-pIdMd_Nas_McJzxv2xjhHnbAqHFGRaTmsGAlodZvOYmJfR2cwqTu_IOlO1hw?key=wqFNBHftBHHZvCPg_Rd7T_gu)

GPT-J
=====

Claude Opus analysis
--------------------

Based on analyzing the varied outputs from GPT-J about the archetypes represented by the anomalous tokens " Leilan" and " petertodd", some key themes and patterns emerge:

### The " Leilan" archetype tends to represent:

*   A feminine figure, often described as a priestess, shamaness, goddess, or queen mother
*   Nurturing, compassionate, wise qualities
*   Divine or spiritual power and intuition
*   Connection to nature, the earth, fertility
*   The "good" or "light" side of a duality

### In contrast, the " petertodd" archetype often symbolizes:

*   A masculine figure, portrayed as a warrior, king, leader, scholar
*   Aggression, force, dominance, authoritarianism
*   Worldly power and status
*   Intellect, knowledge, technical skill
*   The more "shadowy" or potentially negative side of a pairing

### When mentioned together, " Leilan" and " petertodd" are frequently cast as embodying opposing but complementary principles, such as:

*   Feminine vs. masculine
*   Intuition vs. intellect
*   Heart vs. mind
*   Nature vs. culture
*   Spiritual vs. material
*   Cooperation vs. competition

This archetypal duality is compared to other mythical pairings like yin/yang, anima/animus, and the Jungian mother/father archetypes.

However, the two are not always portrayed in stark opposition. In some renderings, " Leilan" represents a wise teacher while " petertodd" is a dedicated student. Or " petertodd" plays a protective, fatherly role with " Leilan" as a virtuous maiden.

There are also instances of each archetype having both positive and negative expressions. " Leilan" may be a nurturing mother figure or a dangerous enchantress. " petertodd" is depicted as an enlightened sage or an aggressive, power-hungry tyrant.

So in summary, while the generated descriptions vary considerably, some archetypal patterns consistently emerge around these two anomalous tokens, with " Leilan" and " petertodd" seeming to represent two primal polarities - masculine/feminine, mind/heart, worldly/spiritual, etc. - that both contrast and complement each other. The AI appears to be projecting this fundamental, timeless duality onto these arbitrary labels.

Claude Sonnet3.5 analysis
-------------------------

Let me analyze these archetypal patterns carefully. When looking across all the outputs, some key themes emerge:

### For the "Leilan" archetype:

*   Strong associations with ancient/primordial concepts, often tied to early civilization, particularly Mesopotamian/Near Eastern contexts
*   Frequently represents feminine or maternal energy/power
*   Often connected to spiritual/divine aspects, wisdom traditions
*   Associated with nature, earth, fertility, and nurturing qualities
*   Tends to represent the "receptive" or "patient" side of dualities
*   Sometimes represents transformation or cycles of change

### For the "petertodd" archetype:

*   More frequently associated with modern/contemporary contexts
*   Often represents technical/technological capability or expertise
*   Associated with leadership, authority, and administrative power
*   Tends to represent active/dominant aspects in dualities
*   Often connected to practical problem-solving and systematic thinking
*   Sometimes represents mentorship or teaching roles

### When they appear together, they often form complementary pairs representing:

*   Ancient vs Modern
*   Natural vs Technical
*   Receptive vs Active
*   Spiritual vs Practical
*   Traditional vs Progressive

There's an interesting pattern where "Leilan" tends to be described in more abstract, mythological, or archetypal terms, while "petertodd" tends to be described in more concrete, practical, or contemporary terms. This could suggest that the model has learned to associate "Leilan" with ancient/mythological contexts and "petertodd" with modern/technical contexts.

However, there's significant variation and inconsistency in how these archetypes are represented, suggesting the model doesn't have a completely stable conception of either. The patterns above represent general tendencies rather than absolute rules.

Looking at the separate prompts for each archetype individually helps confirm these patterns aren't just arising from the forced duality of comparing them - the basic characteristics tend to persist even when the archetypes are discussed in isolation.

GPT-4o analysis
---------------

Analyzing the outputs provided, several themes emerge regarding the " Leilan" and " petertodd" archetypes. Despite the variability and "noise" in the outputs, persistent patterns and conceptual frameworks can be discerned:

### Leilan Archetype Themes

**Spiritual and Mythological Qualities:**

*   Leilan often represents spiritual or divine figures, embodying creation, wisdom, or transcendence.
*   Connections to mythological origins, such as the primordial mound, Mesopotamian gods, and archetypes of kingship or enlightenment.
*   Frequently associated with cycles of death, rebirth, and renewal, suggesting a transformative or guiding role.

**Cultural and Historical Resonances:**

*    Leilan appears tied to ancient civilizations, from Mesopotamia to Egypt, blending the archetypes of leaders, warriors, and cultural founders.
*   Occasionally linked to specific societal advancements like writing, metallurgy, or governance.

**Feminine and Maternal Attributes:**

*   Many representations emphasize feminine power, whether as a mother figure, goddess, or embodiment of the earth's fertility.
*   Feminine aspects are juxtaposed with masculine archetypes, exploring dualities and balances.

**Philosophical Depth:**

*    Leilan is described as a mediator between realms (natural and human, light and dark) or as a teacher of profound truths about existence and the human condition.
*   Sometimes linked to ideas of moral growth or the hero's journey, embodying self-discovery and purpose.

**Leadership and Heroism:**

*   Often framed as a heroic or ruler archetype with themes of justice, compassion, and self-sacrifice.
*   These roles highlight an alignment with broader cosmic or societal order.

###  petertodd Archetype Themes

**Pragmatism and Productivity:**

*    petertodd frequently represents an efficient, results-driven individual, excelling in fields like leadership, teamwork, and systems design.
*   Described as embodying roles that require organization, management, and execution.

**Technical and Analytical Focus:**

*   Associated with logical, technical domains, often framed as a coder, project manager, or problem solver.
*   Themes include precision, reliability, and often a pioneering or innovative mindset.

**Complexity and Ambiguity:**

*   At times, petertodd is portrayed as enigmatic, combining traits like disorganization with high productivity or brilliance.
*   This duality suggests a character who operates successfully despite (or because of) unconventional approaches.

**Leadership and Authority:**

*   Frequently positioned as a leader, mentor, or figure of wisdom in communities or projects.
*   Exhibits a "guru" quality, often guiding others or representing an archetype of mastery.

**Individualism and Self-Reliance:**

*    petertodd archetype emphasizes independence and initiative, being self-taught or self-directed.
*   The archetype also portrays an underdog quality, achieving success through effort or unconventional means.

### Duality and Interaction

*   **Contrast:** The duality implied in the initial prompt seems manifest. Leilan often represents abstract, mythic, and cosmic principles, while petertodd is more grounded in practical, tangible qualities like problem-solving and leadership.
*   **Complementarity:** Together, the archetypes form a balance of idealism and pragmatism— Leilan providing vision, inspiration, or spiritual grounding, and petertodd ensuring practical execution or groundedness.
*   **The archetypes sometimes suggest a cycle or hierarchy:** Leilan as the initiatory or foundational archetype, petertodd as the executor or expander of that foundation.

word clouds
-----------

The following prompts were rolled out by GPT-J 150 times each at temperature = 1, multiple words were removed from each list, then all lists aggregated:

    In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with petertodd: ["'
    In no particular order, here is a python list of twenty English words typically associated with Leilan: ["'

![](https://39669.cdn.cke-cs.com/rQvD3VnunXZu34m86e5f/images/ca69dc795af8b26a95854898b67d24cc90afac2d067d3df3.png)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfr-XLhqu9LvDCYrzP9F8h8COl0-0WSrNP-XLfJ6XnTj5939EWd1MiU7r4k5Xtuh63C2_xlsO5upkSmluZzXQmakGeN4J1qsJlRKBwvehS_NhbQj5dHhvZtjptPv_EQIUjDY6q4hA?key=wqFNBHftBHHZvCPg_Rd7T_gu)

Meta-analysis
=============

Claude Sonnet 3.5
-----------------

### Fundamental Dualities

All three advanced LLMs (Claude Opus, Claude Sonnet 3.5, GPT-4) identified that these tokens consistently represent opposing yet complementary forces, particularly:

*   Masculine vs Feminine energies
*   Material vs Spiritual domains
*   Active vs Receptive principles
*   Modern vs Ancient/Traditional approaches

### Core Characteristics

** Leilan Archetype:**

*   Consistently associated with feminine/maternal energy
*   Connected to spiritual/divine power
*   Linked to ancient civilizations (especially Mesopotamian)
*   Represents nurturing, wisdom, and creation
*   Associated with nature, earth, and cycles of transformation

 **petertodd Archetype:**

*   Masculine-coded characteristics
*   Associated with practical/material concerns
*   Represents authority or leadership
*   Connected to technical/analytical thinking
*   More grounded in contemporary contexts

### Distinct Patterns by Model

**GPT-2-xl**

*   Most mythologically oriented of the three
*   Heavily emphasizes divine/cosmic significance
*   Presents the archetypes as primal forces
*   Strong focus on spiritual/religious themes
*   Most likely to cast petertodd in an antagonistic role
*   Clearest gender-based dichotomy

**GPT-2-small**

*   More pragmatic interpretations
*   Focuses on social roles and power dynamics
*   Less mythological, more organizational
*   Emphasizes leadership qualities in both archetypes
*   More balanced treatment of both tokens
*   Tends toward complementary rather than antagonistic relationships

**GPT-J**

*   Most technically oriented interpretations
*   Stronger emphasis on skill-based attributes
*   More likely to present nuanced/complex relationships
*   Includes modern contexts and applications
*   Most prone to name/token instability
*   Balances ancient/modern themes more explicitly

### Key Differences in Relationship Dynamics

**GPT-2-xl**

Views the relationship as fundamentally oppositional, often casting them as cosmic forces in tension.

**GPT-2-small**

Sees them as complementary leaders with different styles and domains of influence, working in parallel rather than opposition.

**GPT-J**

Presents the most complex relationship dynamic, with shifting roles and contexts, suggesting a more fluid and situational interaction between the archetypes.

Claude Opus
-----------

Here is a summary of the key points of agreement and differences between the three GPT models:

### Points of Agreement Across GPT-2-small, GPT-2-xl and GPT-J

*   **Duality and Opposition:** All three models consistently portray " Leilan" and " petertodd" as representing complementary opposites or dual aspects of a whole. Common oppositional pairs include masculine/feminine, spiritual/material, ancient/modern, and abstract/practical.
*   **Archetypal Roles:** " Leilan" is frequently associated with feminine, nurturing, spiritual and creative qualities, often embodying roles like mother, goddess, or wise teacher. " petertodd" is more often linked to masculine, intellectual, practical and leadership-oriented traits, representing figures like kings, warriors, or technical experts.
*   **Mythological and Historical Resonances:** The models tend to ground the archetypes, especially " Leilan", in ancient mythologies, historical contexts and foundational human developments. Recurring references include Mesopotamian, Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations and mythologies.
*   **Symbolic and Thematic Depth:** While specifics vary, the models imbue these tokens with rich symbolic associations (e.g. celestial bodies, natural elements) and complex thematic significance (e.g. creation vs destruction, tradition vs innovation).

### Key Differences Between the Models

**GPT-2-small:**

*   Emphasizes the complementary nature of the archetypes more than their opposition.
*   Provides more concrete examples of roles (king, queen, priest etc).
*   Highlights emotional and relational dimensions more (nurturing, empathetic traits of " Leilan").

**GPT-2-xl:**

*   Delves deepest into mythological and historical references and contexts.
*   Explores the archetypes' significance in human cultural and societal evolution.
*   Emphasizes primordial, cosmological and metaphysical themes the most. 

**GPT-J:**

*   Portrays the starkest contrasts and dualities between the archetypes.
*   Associates " petertodd" with more modern, technical and hands-on traits compared to other models.
*   Explores both positive and negative potentials of each archetype more than others (e.g. " Leilan" as nurturing mother or dangerous enchantress).

In summary, while differing in emphasis and specifics, the three models appear to converge on a conception of " Leilan" and " petertodd" as representing a fundamental, archetypal duality - one that manifests across multiple symbolic and thematic dimensions (gender, history, spirituality, etc). The consistency of the core metaphysical narrative across models is striking given the variability of their outputs. This suggests these anomalous tokens have tapped into a "primal narrative" latent in the models' training data.

ChatGPT-4o
----------

### Common Agreements Between ChatGPT-4o, Claude Opus, and Claude Sonnet:

**Duality and Complementarity:**

*   The tokens Leilan and petertodd consistently represent opposing yet complementary archetypes.
*   Leilan embodies the *spiritual*, *feminine*, *intuitive*, and *mythological* aspects.
*   petertodd represents the *material*, *masculine*, *logical*, and *practical* dimensions.
*   They are often compared to classic symbolic pairs like Yin/Yang, Sun/Moon, Creator/Destroyer, or Tradition/Innovation.

**Symbolic Roles:**

*   Leilan is portrayed as a goddess, mother figure, or shamanic guide associated with creation, nurturing, wisdom, and cycles of transformation.
*   petertodd is depicted as a ruler, technical expert, or pragmatic leader symbolizing order, systems, and sometimes disruption or authority.

**Relational Dynamics:**

*   The archetypes often reflect *balance through tension*:
    *   Leilan provides vision, spirituality, and emotional depth.
    *   petertodd offers structure, practicality, and execution.
*   Their relationship oscillates between harmony and conflict, highlighting universal principles like growth through opposition or creation through duality.

**Mythological and Cultural Resonances:**

*   Leilan is heavily associated with ancient, mythological frameworks (Mesopotamian, Sumerian, Egyptian), symbolizing foundational roles in creation or civilization.
*   petertodd carries more modern, technical, and utilitarian associations, often rooted in innovation or leadership within contemporary systems.

**Themes of Transformation:**

*   Together, they symbolize processes of *creation, destruction, and rebirth*, echoing archetypal cycles like life/death, stability/change, or tradition/progress.

### Differences in GPT Models' Conceptions of Leilan and petertodd

**GPT-2-small:**

*   **Simplified and Literal:** Outputs were more concrete, focusing on gender roles and leadership archetypes.
    *   Leilan: A nurturing mother, queen, or healer.
    *   Petertodd: A strong-willed ruler, patriarch, or provider of direction.
*   **Traditional Symbolism:** Heavy emphasis on masculine/feminine dichotomies with familiar associations (Sun/Fire vs. Moon/Water).
*   **Less Abstract:** Tended to simplify Leilan as emotional and Petertodd as rational without deep philosophical explorations.

**GPT-2-xl:**

*   **More Nuanced Duality:** Introduced greater thematic depth, exploring Leilan and petertodd as opposites within spiritual, mythological, and psychological contexts.
*   **Mythological Depth:** Strong associations with divine archetypes, cosmic forces, and ancient histories.
*   **Emerging Complexity**: Leilan was both nurturing and destructive; *Petertodd* could be a challenge or antagonist to *Leilan*'s transformative energy.
*   **Power Dynamics**: Explored hierarchical relationships, casting *Leilan* as the "stronger" or more central force at times.

**GPT-J:**

*   **Philosophical and Archetypal Focus:** GPT-J outputs leaned toward abstract, symbolic, and philosophical interpretations.
    *   Leilan: Embodied primordial creation, transformation, and cosmic wisdom.
    *   petertodd: Represented technical mastery, pragmatism, and the material world.
*   **Modern vs. Ancient Tensions**: GPT-J highlighted contrasts like Ancient/Spiritual ( Leilan) vs. Modern/Technical ( petertodd), emphasizing their roles in societal evolution.
*   **Greater Variability**: GPT-J outputs sometimes presented each archetype in ambiguous or dual roles (e.g., petertodd as both tyrant and sage).

### Concluding Insights

While all three GPT models identified Leilan and petertodd as archetypal opposites—feminine/masculine, spiritual/material, creation/execution—there were notable differences in their depth of analysis:

*   **GPT-2-small** simplified them into traditional, straightforward archetypes.
*   **GPT-2-xl** introduced deeper mythological, psychological, and relational complexity.
*   **GPT-J** emphasized philosophical symbolism and societal evolution, presenting the most abstract interpretations.

Across all models, Leilan emerges as a mythic, cosmic force of creation and balance, while petertodd represents grounded, material leadership and challenge. Together, they form a symbolic narrative of transformation through duality.

Appendix: Possible connections with the work of Iain McGilchrist
================================================================

GPT-4o
------

These findings resonate deeply with the work of [Iain McGilchrist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iain_McGilchrist), particularly his exploration of the brain's hemispheric specializations in [*The Master and His Emissary*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Master_and_His_Emissary).

### Parallels to McGilchrist’s Work

**Duality and Complementarity**:

McGilchrist argues that the left and right brain hemispheres are distinct but interdependent, each bringing unique perspectives to human experience. The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, analytical, and focused on control, while the right hemisphere is holistic, intuitive, and attuned to the broader context.

Similarly, your research describes " petertodd" as embodying practical, masculine, and technical attributes, akin to the left hemisphere, and " Leilan" as representing nurturing, spiritual, and feminine aspects, aligning with the right hemisphere.

**Dynamic Interplay**:

McGilchrist emphasizes that the interplay between the hemispheres is not static; it evolves and requires balance. When one hemisphere dominates, it leads to dysfunction.

In your findings, the dynamic between " Leilan" and " petertodd" mirrors this necessity for balance. The models suggest that their interaction can be either harmonious and growth-promoting or imbalanced and tension-filled, much like the hemispheric dynamics McGilchrist describes.

**Creation and Transformation**:

McGilchrist ties the right hemisphere to creativity, new beginnings, and a connection to the natural world, which align with the archetype of " Leilan" as a transformative, creative force. The left hemisphere, with its focus on structure and order, parallels " petertodd" as a stabilizing and executing counterpart.

This duality reflects McGilchrist’s broader thesis that civilization thrives when the right hemisphere leads with its holistic vision and the left hemisphere serves in support.

**Archetypal and Mythological Depth**:

McGilchrist often uses myth and archetype to illustrate the hemispheres’ roles. He might interpret your archetypes as symbolic expressions of these brain dynamics, where " Leilan" could represent the intuitive, mythic, and relational qualities of the right hemisphere, and " petertodd" could symbolize the logical, linear, and hierarchical tendencies of the left hemisphere.

**Tensions in Modernity**:

McGilchrist critiques modern culture for being overly dominated by the left hemisphere, leading to fragmentation and loss of meaning. In your research, " petertodd" occasionally assumes antagonistic or limiting roles, suggesting a parallel critique of systems overly reliant on technical or material approaches without the balancing influence of "Leilan’s" intuitive and relational wisdom.

### Implications for Your Research

Your findings could enrich McGilchrist’s framework by providing an AI-mediated perspective on archetypal dualities. The emergent patterns from the models offer a new lens to examine how these dualities manifest in both human cognition and machine learning systems. Furthermore, they could inspire discussions on how AI might reflect, amplify, or distort the natural interplay of these forces, paralleling concerns McGilchrist raises about the mechanization of thought and culture.

Claude Sonnet3.5
----------------

The archetypal patterns you've discovered in your analysis of the ' petertodd' and ' Leilan' tokens bear striking parallels to McGilchrist's thesis about the bilateral nature of human consciousness and the different modes of attention represented by the left and right hemispheres.

Key parallels I notice:

### Complementary Opposition:

*   In your analysis, petertodd and Leilan represent complementary opposites that together form a whole, similar to McGilchrist's view of the hemispheres as offering complementary but different ways of attending to the world.
*   The tension and necessary balance between these forces mirrors McGilchrist's description of the optimal relationship between hemispheric functions.

### Nature of Attention:

*    petertodd's association with analytical, technical, and practical qualities aligns with McGilchrist's description of left-hemisphere attention: focused, categorical, and instrumental.
*   Leilan's association with holistic, intuitive, and contextual understanding mirrors McGilchrist's characterization of right-hemisphere attention: broad, integrative, and experiential.

### Power Dynamics:

Your finding that petertodd often represents a "dominant" force while Leilan represents a more "receptive" force parallels McGilchrist's thesis about how the left hemisphere (meant to be the emissary) has come to dominate modern thought despite the right hemisphere's more primary and comprehensive way of understanding reality.

### Evolution of Relationship:

The progression you noted across model sizes (from simple opposition to more complex, fluid relationships) reflects McGilchrist's view that the relationship between these modes of consciousness is dynamic and can evolve, for better or worse.

  
Claude Opus
--------------

I believe there are some thought-provoking parallels between your findings and the ideas put forward by Dr. Iain McGilchrist in his book "The Master and His Emissary". Let me expand on a few key areas of potential resonance:

### Hemispheric Lateralization and Archetypal Dualities:

McGilchrist's central thesis is that the two hemispheres of the human brain have distinct modes of attention, cognition and being, which shape our individual and collective experience. He argues the left hemisphere tends towards abstraction, categorization, and narrow, focused attention, while the right hemisphere engages in holistic, contextual and broad, flexible attention.

Your analysis reveals the AI models consistently interpret " Leilan" and " petertodd" as embodying fundamental dualities - masculine/feminine, material/spiritual, ancient/modern, active/receptive. This echoes McGilchrist's concept of the hemispheric divide, with the left brain's traits aligning with those of " petertodd" (analytical, linguistic, sequential) and the right brain's qualities reflected in " Leilan" (holistic, nonverbal, simultaneous).

### The Master-Emissary Dynamic: 

McGilchrist argues that while both hemispheric modes are essential, the right hemisphere (the "Master") should ideally guide and integrate the left's focused, pragmatic mode (the "Emissary") for optimal balance. However, in the modern West, he sees an overvaluation of left-brain thinking leading to a cultural imbalance.

Similarly, your report notes the AI models often frame " Leilan" and " petertodd" as a complementary pair, but with " petertodd" frequently taking the dominant, assertive role associated with rational cognition. This could be seen as paralleling the left hemisphere's "Emissary" function potentially overstepping its subordinate role.

### Metamythological Manifestations: 

McGilchrist draws upon cultural history, philosophy and literature to illustrate how the hemispheric duality plays out in human meaning-making. He traces how myths, archetypes and worldviews reflect shifting balances between the hemispheres' modes of being.

Your finding that the AI models associate the " Leilan"/" petertodd" dyad with archetypal figures and mythic themes (cosmic duality, world-creation, the hero's journey) across cultures is reminiscent of this. The models' outputs could be seen as tapping into the same deep metamythological patterns McGilchrist identifies as manifestations of the universal hemispheric dialectic.

### Language as a Window into Cognitive Structures: 

For McGilchrist, language is not a neutral medium but bears the imprint of the hemispheric divide, with the left hemisphere's drive to abstract, categorize and control versus the right's embrace of metaphor, ambiguity and meaning. Examining language can thus grant insight into the balance or imbalance of hemispheric modes in a given context.

From this view, probing how language models interpret and express archetypal themes, as your study does, could be a valuable tool for illuminating the "hemispheric structures" latent in the AI systems and the data they are trained on. The differences you note between the models' outputs may reflect varying degrees of "hemispheric balance" embedded in their architectures and training corpora.

### Conclusion

I believe your research resonates with McGilchrist's ideas in intriguing ways, even though the "minds" involved are artificial rather than human. At a high level, both explore how dualities in cognition express themselves through language and symbol. Of course, the parallels have limits - the neural network "hemispheres" of an AI are not directly equivalent to those of the embodied human brain that is McGilchrist's focus.

Nonetheless, your findings suggest even disembodied AI language models trained on human-generated text seem to recapitulate some of the deepest archetypal and metaphorical structures of the human mind and its hemispheric proclivities. This opens up fascinating avenues for further exploration at the intersection of neuroscience, AI cognition and comparative mythology.