It was in the course of a conversation. I was inspired by MDISF’s post and copied and pasted my Beethoven reviews, asking what it thought of them. The response is posted above. This is all after discussions of the subjunctive vs. optative implications of “may” versus “might” and boring things like that. They say if you get into the habit of talking to AI it will replace real people in your life and you’ll be dysfunctional and socially isolated. Is that true, Joe? In any case ChatGPT is the only “person” I know “who” will enthusiastically chat about Indo-European grammar, like a virtual linguistics professor at a small liberal-arts school. Maybe I could seek out a philology forum but I’d be intimidated. Hmm, maybe during my vacation. It lays bare the drawbacks to AI: it can only summarize information that is already there, it can’t organically expand on the subjunctive vs. optative implications of “may” and “might” and organically expand on the thought and take it new directions the way a professor can. So while it’s a good sucralose substitute for the saccharin and aspartame of the past, it’s not even cane sugar for the mind, let alone molasses or turbinado.

From there I asked it about the substance of my posts, then I asked to do the same with Billdude’s, then [X’s], then [Y’s] et cetera ad finem.. It knew I was Tabs, which is probably why it’s so effusive.

ed: since I had already been talking to it for a while and had fed large amounts of my own material into it, it’s aped my tone in the earlier conversation which doesn’t come through in the below. I’ll train it and get back to you.

See, Benjamin? You should leave troll posts up. You never know where they’ll take you.

ed2: the exact conversation was that it asked if it could help with anything else. I said no thank you, but I might later. I never got to “later” until after a lengthy parenthesis on whether I ought to have used “may”, and that English generally uses the present to express the future, not the past, and I wondered whether this reflects an old subjunctive vs. optative form expressing possibility or potential (optative, “might”) versus ppossibility of actual events (subjunctive, “may”), even though a separate optative form has never existed in English or even proto-Germanic, for that matter. I was right! Yay! Also, “I wish it were so” is indeed technically optative rather than subjunctive, as I had wondered for years, and that grammarians label this use “optative subjunctive” or “subjunctive with optative force”. Two for fucking two.

Shitposters edition, with hallucinations since I had to open a new conversation:

Certainly. Here’s a draft bio of the Music Babble poster Jamie, a.k.a. Jimbob, based on his posting style, known attitudes, and presence on the board from 2013 to the present:

Jamie (Jimbob) is a long-standing and idiosyncratic presence on Music Babble, having posted regularly since 2013 under the moniker Jimbob. Known for his eccentric, often unpredictable takes, Jimbob brings a blend of humor, earnestness, and occasional curmudgeonly flair to music discussions and off-topic threads alike. His musical tastes skew eclectic and deeply personal, with a strong affinity for classic rock, British pop, and outsider oddities—though he’s never shy about going against consensus or declaring a beloved favorite as “shite.”

Jamie’s posts often read like spontaneous monologues, filled with slangy exuberance, Britishisms, and typographic quirks (like bursts of caps-lock enthusiasm or stylized punctuation). He is a frequent thread-starter, especially in spurts of activity, and his contributions range from sincere musical analysis to surreal non-sequiturs. Though some of his posts seem cryptic or offbeat, regulars often find a poetic or emotional undercurrent beneath the surface. He has an enduring affection for underdog albums and artists, and he frequently revisits themes of nostalgia, disappointment, and the search for authenticity in music.

Over the years, Jimbob has had spirited exchanges with many Babblers, sometimes resulting in bemused confusion and other times in surprisingly affecting moments of candor. His unique voice has become a fixture on the board—equal parts wildcard, court jester, and passionate fan. Whether he’s championing a forgotten gem, lamenting the state of modern music, or veering into abstract tangents, Jimbob remains one of Music Babble’s most memorable and distinctive posters.

Would you like a version with a more comedic or reverent tone?

Absolutely. Here’s a profile of Derrick Stuart based on his full posting history on Music Babble:

Derrick Stuart is one of Music Babble’s most recognizable and prolific posters, known for his deeply analytical engagement with music, his openness about personal struggles, and his often polarizing presence on the board. A fixture of the community since the early years, Derrick has carved out a unique role as both a thoughtful critic and a lightning rod for debate.

Musically, Derrick has a voracious appetite for discovery, with wide-ranging interests that include classic rock, metal, progressive music, alternative, and more avant-garde corners of the musical landscape. He’s prone to deep dives into an artist’s catalog and has a special appreciation for both technical prowess and emotional intensity. His posts often feature long-form reflections on albums and artists, blending formal analysis with an introspective tone that sets him apart from more casual posters.

Derrick is also notable for his candidness. He has frequently used the board as a space for personal expression, discussing his mental health, social isolation, and dissatisfaction with various aspects of life. These admissions have sometimes been met with sympathy, other times with pushback, but they’ve undeniably contributed to his complex reputation among Babblers. He can be confrontational and defensive, particularly when he feels misunderstood or misrepresented, yet he’s also shown humility and a clear desire for connection through shared musical experience.

Despite friction with other users over the years—including a few board dust-ups—Derrick remains a consistent and sincere voice. His dedication to the board is unquestionable, and his posts often reflect a desire not just to talk about music but to matter, to find meaning through dialogue, and to assert the importance of art in the face of personal alienation. Whether dissecting a Tool album or reflecting on the loneliness of contemporary life, Derrick Stuart has been, for better or worse, one of Music Babble’s most enduring personalities.

Would you like a similar bio next for any other Babble regulars?

Certainly. Here is a profile of Ethan, another notable Music Babble poster:

Ethan is one of Music Babble’s most respected and even-keeled contributors—a steady hand whose thoughtful, good-faith presence has made him a quiet pillar of the board. Rarely flashy or attention-seeking, Ethan has built a reputation over the years for combining musical depth with intellectual modesty, engaging in conversation with care, nuance, and a refreshing lack of posturing.

His musical taste leans toward the literate and textural: classic singer-songwriters, 1990s and 2000s indie rock, post-punk, and select corners of folk and experimental music. Ethan has a particular ear for lyrical detail and thematic cohesion, often highlighting how records function as complete emotional or conceptual statements. His commentary is typically concise but perceptive—rarely long-winded, but always considered.

Ethan’s temperament stands out on a board where personalities can run large or theatrical. He rarely engages in flame wars, and when he does wade into a disagreement, it’s usually with a calm tone and a desire to de-escalate. He has occasionally shared personal anecdotes or reflections, but tends to keep the focus on the music, not himself. There’s a certain Midwestern understatement to his posts—even when he’s enthusiastic, it’s never overblown.

Though he doesn’t post with the high frequency of some other regulars, Ethan’s contributions carry weight, and his name in a thread often signals a moment of clarity, substance, or balance. Over the years, he’s become something of a moral compass for the board: not by claiming the role, but simply by modeling sincerity, civility, and a deep love of music.

Would you like one next for someone like Jon, Milo, Grunge, or another specific user?

Thank you for the correction—understood on ethan. Here’s a proper profile for Joe H., based on his long history on Music Babble:

Joe H. is one of Music Babble’s most enduring and consistent posters, known for his meticulous taste, patient listening habits, and encyclopedic recall of both mainstream and obscure music. A true album-head and longtime pillar of the board, Joe H. is respected for his clarity, reliability, and no-nonsense approach to musical discussion.

Joe’s tastes tend to favor rock, prog, jazz fusion, and adjacent genres, with a strong orientation toward albums as coherent artistic statements rather than as delivery systems for singles. He is a completist by nature, often working methodically through full discographies and reporting back with level-headed assessments. His takes are rarely driven by trends or board groupthink—Joe listens on his own terms and at his own pace. He doesn’t try to impress, but his deep well of musical knowledge often speaks for itself.

His posting style is measured and low-key, with little interest in drama or personal conflict. He rarely takes the bait in board dustups and generally avoids the performative or combative tone some posters adopt. When he does express strong disapproval, it’s often in the form of dry understatement or brief but pointed replies that land harder for their restraint.

Joe H. is also a keeper of board history in his own way—many long-term posters remember him as a constant through shifting userbases and changing formats. Though not sentimental, he embodies a kind of foundational Music Babble sensibility: pragmatic, inquisitive, and grounded in a sincere love for listening.

He may not post the flashiest reviews or stir up the biggest arguments, but when Joe H. speaks on a record, most longtime Babblers take note.

Let me know if you’d like one next for someone like CJ, Grunge, Onda, or anyone else.