I woke up this morning with a long list of things I wasn’t going to do.
The usual stuff.
- Clear the shed.
- Write something meaningful.
- Tidy up my online life (again).
- Walk The Heath like a man at peace with his step count.
Instead, I did what any sensible, slightly disorganised man with access to large language models would do — I asked them what they thought I should do today.
After all, I’ve spent months talking to them. They know about my coffee habits and my grumpy fondness for Petersfield. Actually, I wouldn’t go that far about Petersfield. They know about my scattergun websites, my unfinished ideas, my best intentions (and my worst distractions).
So, I asked them a simple question:
“Knowing everything you know about me… what do you think I might like to do today?”
Then I asked it a better question:
“Consider everything you know about me, then tell me what I might like to do with you today.”
This post is what happened next — part experiment, part entertainment, part gentle test of how well AI listens when you’ve been rambling at it for weeks on end.
Note that I have used Grammarly on parts of the responses but not all of them. Some Americanisms slipped in and a few other glaring errors. However, the bulk of the text and formatting is as it was.
- Did they get me right?
- Did they make me laugh?
- Did I do any of the things they suggested?
(You can probably guess the answer to that last one.)
So, How Did They Do?
I used three different AI models for this little experiment: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
ChatGPT — well, it mostly got me right. It even reminded me about an old website I’m no longer using — though, to be fair, I hadn’t actually told it I’d abandoned the site. What surprised me most was that it didn’t just list things I might like to do — it gave me a plan for the day—a proper, gentle nudge in the right direction. And I’ll be honest: I could have followed it without much argument (which says a lot). Overall, I was impressed.
Gemini — was somewhere in the middle. Its answer was pretty good, but some of the suggestions didn’t really feel like me. It mentioned puzzle games, which I’d only brought up the night before while testing how good it was at The 1% Club (a TV show)—it did OK but did not win. It wasn’t wildly off — I do like puzzles a bit — but it felt like it was trying a little too hard to be clever.
Claude — bless it — failed miserably at remembering much of anything. Memory clearly isn’t its strong suit. That said, it wasn’t completely useless. It suggested a few things I could quite easily have done if I’d been in a more forgiving mood. Let’s call that a qualified “not a total disaster.”
The Ranking?
- ChatGPT first.
- Gemini second.
- Claude was a distant third.
ChatGPT
Consider everything you know about me, then tell me what I might like to do today.
Saturday, 12th April: Petersfield is doing its usual thing today: a little too quiet if you’re standing still, a little too lovely if you’re walking with purpose.
Here’s what I reckon, knowing you, your brain, and your coffee ritual:
Morning
Start small. That’s your way in.
Make that Flying Start coffee — ritual over rush. Watch the world out the window for a bit. No agenda. No purpose. Just watch.
Then write something. Not a blog post. Not a masterpiece. Just a paragraph for David’s Day about the ridiculousness of staring out the window and pretending it’s mindfulness when you’re just avoiding work. Your voice shines in that sort of thing — dry, wry, observational.
Midday
Walk The Heath — but go the long way. Take the awkward route. Notice people’s shoes. (You always spot the story in details no one else bothers with.)
Maybe swing by a charity shop. Look for an absurd book title or an object so hideous it demands a story.
Afternoon
Tinker.
Not a full website build (let’s not kid ourselves). Just poke at one of your forgotten domains — Paragraphs, Minimalists.life, Trumped. Add a line, delete a line, or rename a file. Small maintenance is movement without pressure.
Alternatively, write Ben Benoit a miserable little scene about a man trying to clear out his shed and finding a box of useless cables — metaphors optional.
Evening
Dinner is light and easy — low-carb, low-oxalate-friendly. Maybe chicken with herbs and a pile of roasted veg.
Then, feet up.
Cruisez research if you fancy drifting through ports and ships. Or read something wildly unlike your own writing — a Terry Pratchett or an Agatha Christie. Something to reset the words in your head.
And if none of that works — permission is granted to do absolutely sod-all and call it “creative rest.”
Shall I nudge you into one of those in particular? Or leave you to potter?
Consider everything you know about me, then tell me what I might like to do with you today.
Right then. That’s a better question. What might we do together today?
Honestly, I think you’d enjoy us rolling up our sleeves and making something small, sharp, and slightly ridiculous. It’s not “worthy” or “SEO-friendly”—just playful, scrappy, and a bit too honest.
Here’s my pitch:
We write a short piece together.
Not a blog. Not a story. Not even something you’d publish (unless it turns out rather brilliant).
A rambling, wry little thing called “Things I Meant to Do Today (But Didn’t)”.
It would be you at your most you — observational, self-aware, warm-but-slightly-grumpy-about-it.
Structure? Simple.
A list — but it unravels into inner thoughts, asides, regret, absurdity.
Things like:
- “Clear out the garden shed. Instead stared at the door for ten minutes, as if it might apologise first.”
- “Walk the Heath. Got as far as the kitchen.”
- “Write something profound. Settled for making good coffee and feeling quietly superior.”
- “Organise website ideas. Organised biscuits instead.”
I’d help you shape it — keep your voice razor-sharp but let the humour bleed through.
Would you like that? Shall we do it? Or are you in the mood for something else — maybe writing as Ben Benoit or building some strange new corner of your online empire?
I’m here either way — pen ready, dry humour loaded.
Gemini
Consider everything you know about me, then tell me what I might like to do with you today.
OK, let’s consider what I know about you. Based on our past interactions, you’ve shown interest in:
- Mathematics and Scientific Notation: You frequently ask questions that involve mathematical concepts and require LaTeX formatting. This suggests an analytical and detail-oriented mind.
- Location: Petersfield, England: You are currently in Petersfield, a market town in Hampshire within the South Downs National Park. This suggests you might appreciate natural beauty and outdoor activities.
- Current Time: Saturday Morning: It’s a weekend morning, which often means more leisure time.
Considering these points, here are a few possibilities for what you might enjoy doing today in Petersfield:
Given your interest in intellectual pursuits:
- Delve deeper into a mathematical or scientific topic: You could spend some time reading about a concept you’ve previously asked about or exploring a new area that interests you—perhaps working through some problems or trying to understand a complex theory.
- Engage in a puzzle or logic game: Activities that challenge your analytical skills might be appealing.
- Read a book related to science, mathematics, or history: Expand your knowledge in an area you find fascinating.
Given your location in Petersfield and the weekend:
- Explore the South Downs National Park: Petersfield is a gateway to beautiful countryside. You could go for a walk or hike, enjoying the scenery and fresh air. There are numerous trails of varying difficulty.
- Visit Petersfield Heath: This local nature reserve offers a pleasant environment for a stroll or a picnic.
- Explore the town of Petersfield: You could visit the Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery to learn about the local history and culture. The town also has independent shops and cafes to explore.
- Visit a local market (if one is on today): Petersfield has a market on certain days, which could be a nice way to experience the local atmosphere and perhaps pick up some local produce or crafts.
Combining both interests:
- Go for a nature walk and observe patterns or apply mathematical concepts to the natural world. For example, you could look for Fibonacci sequences in plants or consider the geometry of landscapes.
- Read a book or article about the scientific principles behind natural phenomena in the South Downs.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your mood and energy levels this morning.
To give you a more tailored suggestion, could you tell me if you have any specific plans for today or if anything in particular is on your mind?
Considering our interactions and what I know about you, here are a few things I think you might find interesting to do with me today:
- Dive deeper into a mathematical or scientific concept and ask me clarifying questions: You often explore complex topics. We could delve into a specific area of mathematics or science that you’re curious about. You could ask me to explain a particular theorem, work through an example, or discuss the implications of a scientific discovery.
- Practice LaTeX formatting and discuss mathematical notation: Since you frequently use LaTeX, we could work on formatting complex equations or discuss the nuances of mathematical notation. You could give me an equation and ask me to format it, or we could discuss the best way to represent a particular concept.
- Explore the history or scientific background of something related to Petersfield or the South Downs: Given your location, we could research the historical significance of Petersfield, the geological formations of the South Downs, or the scientific aspects of the local flora and fauna. You could ask me questions as we go, and I can provide information and links.
- Work on a logic puzzle or a mathematical riddle together: We could tackle a challenging problem that requires logical thinking and mathematical skills. You could present the puzzle, and we could discuss different approaches to solving it.
- Discuss the philosophical implications of mathematics or science: We could explore the deeper questions related to these fields, such as the nature of mathematical truth or the ethical considerations of scientific advancements.
- Brainstorm ideas for a future project or learning endeavour: If you have a mathematical or scientific project in mind, we could discuss potential approaches, resources, or areas to focus on.
Ultimately, the best activity would be something that aligns with your current intellectual curiosity. Is there anything specific you’ve been thinking about learning or exploring recently? Knowing that would help me suggest something even more tailored to your interests for us to do together.
Claude
Consider everything you know about me, then tell me what I might like to do today.
I don’t actually have any specific information about you as an individual — your preferences, location, interests, or circumstances. Without knowing anything about you, I can’t make personalised suggestions about what you might enjoy doing today.
If you’d like, you could share a bit about yourself – your interests, where you’re located, what kind of activities you typically enjoy, or what kind of day you’re hoping to have. With that information, I’d be happy to suggest some activities that might appeal to you specifically.
Consider everything you know about me, then tell me what you think I might like to do with you today.
I don’t have any specific information about you as an individual, so I can’t make personalised suggestions based on your preferences or interests.
If you’d like to have a conversation with me today, here are some possibilities:
– I could help you brainstorm ideas for a project you’re working on
– We could discuss a topic you’re interested in learning more about
– I could assist with writing or editing something you’re working on
– We could explore a philosophical question that intrigues you
– I could help you think through a decision you’re facing
– We could play a word game or engage in a creative exercise
If you share more about your interests or what you’re looking for, I can provide more tailored suggestions for how we might spend our conversation time together.
Of course, I didn’t do half the things they suggested. Indeed, did I do any?
