OLLI 25Q4B: Rethinking Liberalism
► Answer questions about using chatbots
► Share results from the previous week’s homework topic:
⊳ ”Did AI get us to ‘the truth’ on this topic?”
► Review next chapter of “Abundance”
► Segment on chatbots in general
► Segment on generating presentation materials with chatbots
► Prepare for the homework topic:
⊳ Overview of the next “Abundance” chapter
⊳ What questions will get AI to reveal the truth here?
< break for the week: submit those questions to AI at home >
Resources
Wk 1: Comparing Chatbots
Wk 2: Examples of Chatbot Prompts
Wk 3: The Early History of Liberalism (up to 1932)
AI Analysis of “Abundance” Chapter 1 (“Grow”)
Wk 4: FDR’s Notion of Liberalism
AI Analysis of “Abundance” Chapter 2 (“Build”)
Wk 5:
Wk 6:
Wk 7:
Wk 8:
Syllabus
Wk 1: Why Liberalism?
Introductions
Three-Part Class Goal
► Re-think liberalism
► Introduce “chatbots for truth”
► Document “creating OLLI classes using AI”
The Companion Website
Planned Cycle of Weekly Homework and Discussion
Liberalism Segment:
► Motivational Questions
► Overview of “Abundance” by Klein & Thompson
Chatbot Segment:
► Overview of GPT Technology
► Perplexity in Particular
► Choosing Your Chatbot
Class Authoring Segment:
► Analyzing Books with AI (Intro)
► Overview: Producing a Class Unit
► Example prompt: FDR’s Notion of Liberalism
Homework Case:
A] Create a chatbot account, pick a criticism of liberalism that provokes you, ask AI to help you decide which side is “telling the truth.”
B] Request an overview of the introduction to “Abundance”
Wk 2: The Problem with Manufactured Scarcity
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Beyond Scarcity”
Chatbot Segment:
► Setting session context with document uploads
Class Authoring Segment:
► Analyzing Books with AI (Detail)
Homework Case:
Request an overview of the “Grow” chapter of “Abundance”
Wk 3: The Problem with Preservation Politics
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Grow”
Chatbot Segment:
► Hallucinations, Sycophancy, & Delusional Spirals
Class Authoring Segment:
► Deep Research Modes
Homework Case:
Request an overview of the “Build” chapter of “Abundance”
Wk 4: The Problem with Regulatory Paralysis
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Build”
Chatbot Segment:
► Spaces & Special Instructions
Class Authoring Segment:
► Managing Citations for Useable Output
Homework Case:
Request an overview of the “Govern” chapter of “Abundance”
Wk 5: The Problem with “Everything Bagel” Politics
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Govern”
Chatbot & Class Authoring Segment:
► Generating Slides
Homework Case:
Request an overview of the “Invent” chapter of “Abundance”
Wk 6: The Problem with “Grant Theater” Reseach
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Invent”
Chatbot & Class Authoring Segment:
► Generating Images
Homework Case:
Request an overview of the “Deploy” chapter of “Abundance”
Wk 7: The Problem with Bureaucratic Chokepoints
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Deploy”
Chatbot & Class Authoring Segment:
► From discussion to transcripts
Homework Case:
Request an overview of the conclusion of “Abundance”
Wk 8: The Problem with False Choices
Liberalism Segment:
► Q&A with Klein & Thompson re: “Toward Abundance”
Chatbot & Class Authoring Segment:
► Leveraging Google’s complete AI ecosystem