The Flop

Welcome back to The Flop—your cozy corner for demystifying AI with warmth, wit, and a dash of whimsy!

We’re going Down the Rabbit Hole this week with one of those big AI terms you’ve probably heard tossed around like a hot potato: general intelligence. What is it? Why does it matter? And why does it make some people just a tiny bit nervous?

Then in our AI Hack of the Week, I’ll show you how to talk out loud with ChatGPT. Yes, like an actual back-and-forth conversation. Whether you're folding laundry, walking the dog, or driving across town, it’s like having a genius riding shotgun.

🐰 Down the Rabbit Hole

What Is AGI?

Most AI today is good at very specific tasks—writing emails, suggesting recipes, summarizing documents. That’s called narrow intelligence, and it's what powers tools like ChatGPT, Alexa, Siri, and self-driving cars.

But general intelligence? That’s a whole different level.

💡 What is AGI?

AGI stands for Artificial General Intelligence. It's the idea of an AI that can understand, learn, and reason across many different domains—just like a human.

In other words, an AGI wouldn’t just write you a grocery list. It could:

• Learn a new board game from the rules and teach it to you

• Understand your emotions and respond with empathy

• Help you start a business and explain quantum physics and help your kid with their math homework

All in the same conversation.

🧪 How will we know when we’ve reached AGI?

This is the million-dollar (or maybe trillion-dollar) question. Some scientists suggest a few signs:

• The AI can transfer learning from one area to another (like using what it knows about chess to improve at strategy games).

• It can reason in unfamiliar situations without being retrained.

• It passes something like an open-ended Turing test where a human can’t tell if they're talking to a person or a machine, even in nuanced, complex conversations.

But there's no universal checklist. Think of it more like a “we’ll know it when we see it” kind of moment, though even that is up for debate.

😬 Why are people worried about AGI?

Some folks (including very smart scientists) are genuinely concerned that AGI could:

• Act unpredictably or make decisions that don’t align with human values

• Disrupt jobs, economies, and power structures

• Be used irresponsibly or even maliciously if not properly controlled

Others say those fears are overblown or far-off. But either way, the conversation about AGI isn’t just about can we build it, it’s also about should we, and how do we do it responsibly?

🛠️AI Hack of the Week

Learn by Talking to ChatGPT

Okay, so we don’t have AGI yet. No robot roommates, no sentient laptops. But what we do have is pretty amazing: an AI smart enough to hold a real conversation on almost any topic, like you're chatting with an expert who never gets tired or judgy.

With Voice Mode in the ChatGPT app, you can talk back and forth, hands-free. It's perfect for learning on the go or noodling through an idea when you’re driving, walking or when your hands are full of grocery bags, toddlers, or coffee.

✅ Step by Step: How to Use Voice Mode

Step 1: Open the ChatGPT app on your phone (iPhone or Android).

Step 2: Tap the voice icon in the bottom-right corner.

Step 3: Tap the Settings Icon to browse your voice options. You’ll hear a preview of each one. Some sound friendly and casual, others more polished and professorial.

Step 4: Pick your favorite voice and tap Start New Chat. You can change your voice anytime so feel free to experiment!

Step 5: Start talking! Ask a question, share a thought, or say “explain this like I’m five.” ChatGPT will respond out loud, and you can talk right back. There is no need to press buttons between turns. This makes it perfect for learning or chatting in the car.

🧠 Why this is awesome:

You can actually learn out loud, just like you would in a conversation with a really good teacher or coach:

• Ask it to break things down step-by-step

• Say, “That didn’t make sense. Explain it another way?”

• Dig deeper: “Okay, but why is that important?”

It’s not just Q&A. It’s more like an ongoing, curious, no-pressure dialogue.

💬 Conversations for You:

• “What developmental stuff is going on with my 6-year-old right now?”

• “How can I get my teen to open up more without making it weird?”

• “Give me 3 quick tips for managing sibling fights.”

• “What’s a simple way to explain interest rates when I don’t totally get them either?”

🎒Conversations for Your Kids:

With your guidance, kids can use voice mode to learn in a fun, hands-on way. It’s like having a study buddy who’s patient, encouraging, and never rolls their eyes.

Try these:

• “Can you quiz me on the 6 times table?”

• “I have a Spanish test on verb conjugation. Can you help me practice?

• “What’s a fun way to remember the planets in order?”

• “Explain photosynthesis like I’m in 4th grade.”

It turns study time into something more interactive—and maybe even a little fun. (No guarantees, but it’s worth a shot.)

🙂 Tiny Delights

Binkies & Zoomies

I’m just back from a magical trip to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, and my soul feels… taller? Maybe it’s the sequoias. 🌲

A few years ago, after visiting Joshua Tree, we set a family goal: visit all 63 U.S. national parks together. We’ve been at it for three years now, and we’ve hit 9 so far. It’s become one of our favorite things we do as a family.

One small thing that makes it all easier: the America the Beautiful national park pass 🎟️. For $80, it gets your carload into all U.S. national parks, forests, and monuments for a full year. We used it three times on this trip alone and it’s already paid for itself. Plus, there’s something wildly satisfying about flashing that little card at the gate like you’re part of the world’s chillest VIP club.

🌳 Moment of Calm

AI Antidote: Where in the World?

Before we wrap, here’s a little moment of calm for your eyeballs. No AI, no productivity hack. Just nature doing its thing.

Can you guess which National Park this is?

Last week’s national park: Glacier National Park in Montana 🏔️. Think dramatic mountain landscapes, pristine alpine lakes, and iconic hiking trails.

👋 Until Next Week

Thanks for being here. I know your inbox is a busy place, and I hope this one made you feel just a little smarter and more prepared in this new world of AI.

Warmly,
Ricci

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Last week, we explored vibe coding and how to use it for fun family projects.