人定勝ChatGPT?

最近有個在香港就讀名校的中一學生跟我說：”我突然發覺我同學的英文寫作水平突飛猛進，原來他們都在用ChatGPT!”

我聽到後責怪自己，這個學生我也教了一年多，我居然還沒好好培養他的品味！我完全不認為ChatGPT寫的英文厲害。雖然ChatGPT文法無誤，一些基本的literary techniques (such as alliteration)也會，但style 和 originality 方面非常欠缺。不信比較一下下面兩個dentist reviews。 第一個是我寫的, it was based on recent experience; 第二個是ChatGPT 寫的。

My version

The last time I got a tooth extracted, the experience was especially harrowing because as I sat in the dentist's chair wondering why it was taking so long for him to remove the last molar in my lower right jaw, I couldn't help recalling the time I toured the London Dungeon, an attraction that featured live actors re-enacting the horrors of medieval torture. One scene in particular kept replaying itself in my mind: an iron device—aptly named the Pear of Anguish—inserted into a victim's mouth, then made to expand like an umbrella, so that its arms would shatter the victim's jaw and teeth. Though I felt no pain while my tooth was being hacked to pieces and pulled, because I could hear everything, I couldn't shake off the perception that the Pear of Anguish procedure was being performed on me. It didn't help that the dentist only managed to dislodge the last remains of my tooth after an interminable 45 minutes of huffing and puffing. When I rose from his chair, I was drenched in cold sweat.

The recovery period was nasty in its own way. The pain was so intense that I was convinced that something vile was brewing in my gums. When I begged the dentist for help, he simply said dismissively, "It's not pus inside your mouth but a sac of infection-fighting medicine I've put in!"

Fast forward three years. I am now at a different clinic, Oceanfront Dental Group. Dr. Seddon tells me I need to have a wisdom tooth and another molar extracted, and offers IV sedation as an option. I grab at it—anything not to relive those Pear of Anguish moments.

This time round, the experience was literally like magic. After the IV needle was inserted into my vein, Dr. Seddon asked, "Can you feel cool liquid flowing up your arm?" I answered "yes," and then I remembered nothing else. When I woke up an hour later, two cotton pads had already been inserted into my mouth. When I got back home and removed the cotton, I was surprised to see so little blood on them. The surgical sites never bled again.

The recovery process was so quick and painless that 48 hours after the procedure, I was able to work (which involved lots of talking) without any awareness that I had had two extractions two days ago.

Though the cost of removing the wisdom tooth alone (plus IV sedation) was 10 times more than what that dentist who gave me the Pear of Anguish experience charged me, I still think having my teeth pulled by Dr. Seddon was GREAT value for money, for I was able to keep my sanity.

ChatGPT’s version

I recently had the pleasure of being treated by Dr. Seddon for dental surgery, and I couldn't be more impressed with his expertise and care. Under his guidance, I underwent the removal of a molar and a wisdom tooth while under IV sedation.

Dr. Seddon's skill in performing the surgery was remarkable. From the initial consultation to the procedure itself, he demonstrated a thorough understanding of my needs and concerns. His reassuring demeanor put me at ease throughout the entire process, especially considering the apprehension I had about undergoing dental surgery.

During the procedure, Dr. Seddon's precision and attention to detail were evident. He executed the extractions with such finesse that I experienced minimal discomfort both during and after the surgery. His ability to effectively administer IV sedation further enhanced my comfort and ensured a smooth and pain-free experience.

Not only did Dr. Seddon exhibit exceptional technical proficiency, but he also displayed genuine care and compassion towards me as his patient. He took the time to explain each step of the procedure and provided post-operative instructions to facilitate a speedy recovery.

Thanks to Dr. Seddon's expertise and professionalism, I can confidently say that my dental surgery experience surpassed my expectations. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of dental care, as he truly embodies the qualities of a skilled and compassionate dentist.