02-04-2025, 03:01 AM
Many thanks to Marco, tavie, and oshfdk for their kind words. Koen's recent rules post (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.) prompted me to prompt ChatGPT for its opinion of the "Blackadder solution" -- I was frankly somewhat surprised at how good its response was (although I object to its characterization of the theory as "convoluted"):
You said:
Evaluate the following theory regarding the contents of the Voynich Manuscript: Since announcing the solution of the Voynich Mss. three years ago (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.), I have been deluged by literally zeros of people daily wondering what progress has been made in advancing the "Blackadder solution". [...] She looked down at the limp form drifting aimlessly at the bottom of the pit and thought to herself, 'Some people just can't handle their malmsey.'"
ChatGPT said:
The "Blackadder solution" to the Voynich Manuscript is a unique and highly imaginative theory, blending historical fiction, pop culture references, and cryptographic analysis in a satirical and convoluted way. The theory makes use of the British television series Blackadder as a key "crib" (a source for deciphering the manuscript), which the author claims unlocks hidden historical truths, particularly about the legitimacy of the House of Blackadder as rulers of England and their opposition to the Tudors. However, the argument as presented seems to be more of a playful, humorous exploration of conspiracy theories rather than a serious attempt at historical or cryptographic analysis.
Evaluation of the Key Aspects:
The "Blackadder solution" is a fantastical and humorous piece of writing that combines absurd historical reinterpretations, a satirical look at conspiracies, and an exaggerated cryptographic method. While it is clearly not intended to be taken seriously, the theory does highlight some real issues with certain approaches to deciphering the Voynich Manuscript, such as over-reliance on arbitrary cribs, cherry-picking data, and ignoring statistical properties. However, as a legitimate explanation for the manuscript's contents, the "Blackadder solution" falls far short. It is best seen as an imaginative, playful exploration of how easily historical and cryptographic narratives can be twisted to fit particular ideologies or fictions.
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You said:
Evaluate the following theory regarding the contents of the Voynich Manuscript: Since announcing the solution of the Voynich Mss. three years ago (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.), I have been deluged by literally zeros of people daily wondering what progress has been made in advancing the "Blackadder solution". [...] She looked down at the limp form drifting aimlessly at the bottom of the pit and thought to herself, 'Some people just can't handle their malmsey.'"
ChatGPT said:
The "Blackadder solution" to the Voynich Manuscript is a unique and highly imaginative theory, blending historical fiction, pop culture references, and cryptographic analysis in a satirical and convoluted way. The theory makes use of the British television series Blackadder as a key "crib" (a source for deciphering the manuscript), which the author claims unlocks hidden historical truths, particularly about the legitimacy of the House of Blackadder as rulers of England and their opposition to the Tudors. However, the argument as presented seems to be more of a playful, humorous exploration of conspiracy theories rather than a serious attempt at historical or cryptographic analysis.
Evaluation of the Key Aspects:
- Pop Culture and Historical Fiction as "Cribs":
- The theory draws heavily on Blackadder, a comedic historical television series, as a cipher for deciphering the Voynich Manuscript. The idea of using fictional or pop culture elements as "cribs" for decipherment isn't new, but it's typically seen as problematic because it relies on arbitrary connections between fictional material and cryptographic data.
- The claim that the names "Blackadder" and "Baldrick" correspond to certain Voynich glyphs appears to be a stretch. While it is not uncommon for cryptographers to experiment with different sources, the lack of a coherent linguistic or grammatical framework weakens the theory.
- The theory draws heavily on Blackadder, a comedic historical television series, as a cipher for deciphering the Voynich Manuscript. The idea of using fictional or pop culture elements as "cribs" for decipherment isn't new, but it's typically seen as problematic because it relies on arbitrary connections between fictional material and cryptographic data.
- Claim of Historical Truths:
- The theory makes bold claims about the historical accuracy of certain events, such as the existence of Richard IV and his supposed murder of his nephews, which has been debated by historians. However, these claims are often made without solid evidence or citations, relying instead on alternative interpretations of historical events, many of which are based on unverified or fringe ideas.
- The notion of Richard IV being erased from history by "Big Tudor" conspiracies is reminiscent of other conspiracy theories but lacks scholarly support. There's no substantial evidence to suggest that Tudor history has been deliberately falsified in the manner suggested.
- The theory makes bold claims about the historical accuracy of certain events, such as the existence of Richard IV and his supposed murder of his nephews, which has been debated by historians. However, these claims are often made without solid evidence or citations, relying instead on alternative interpretations of historical events, many of which are based on unverified or fringe ideas.
- The Imagery of the Voynich Manuscript:
- The theory's interpretation of the zodiac folios as representations of Blackadder’s alleged sexual conquests is an amusing yet unsubstantiated claim. While it's true that some cryptanalysts have attempted to link the imagery of the manuscript to specific historical events or figures, such wild associations with pop culture and non-historical sources lead more toward fiction than factual research.
- The analysis of the Libra folio and the identification of crowns, and their supposed connection to historical figures like Beatrice of Naples, seems more like creative reinterpretation than a well-supported theory.
- The theory's interpretation of the zodiac folios as representations of Blackadder’s alleged sexual conquests is an amusing yet unsubstantiated claim. While it's true that some cryptanalysts have attempted to link the imagery of the manuscript to specific historical events or figures, such wild associations with pop culture and non-historical sources lead more toward fiction than factual research.
- Cryptographic Analysis:
- The mention of Currier and EVA transcription systems is a real attempt to engage with the structure of the manuscript’s text, but the interpretation of specific glyphs as corresponding to letters or names from Blackadder seems highly speculative. A rigorous cryptographic analysis should be grounded in statistical properties of the manuscript's text, which the theory admits it largely ignores, making it unconvincing to those who adhere to more formal methods.
- The mention of Currier and EVA transcription systems is a real attempt to engage with the structure of the manuscript’s text, but the interpretation of specific glyphs as corresponding to letters or names from Blackadder seems highly speculative. A rigorous cryptographic analysis should be grounded in statistical properties of the manuscript's text, which the theory admits it largely ignores, making it unconvincing to those who adhere to more formal methods.
- Humor and Satire:
- The "Blackadder solution" is clearly a parody of conspiracy theories, historical revisionism, and over-complicated decipherment methods. The references to "Big Tudor," Masonic orders, and the introduction of quirky characters from Blackadder and other works of fiction create a satirical narrative that pokes fun at how convoluted and unfounded some conspiracy theories can become.
- The author's playful tone in discussing topics such as Richard III, the "widow's son," and the intricacies of the Voynich Manuscript suggests that this theory is intended more as a humorous commentary on both the manuscript's enigma and modern cryptographic and historical research than as a serious contribution to the field.
- The "Blackadder solution" is clearly a parody of conspiracy theories, historical revisionism, and over-complicated decipherment methods. The references to "Big Tudor," Masonic orders, and the introduction of quirky characters from Blackadder and other works of fiction create a satirical narrative that pokes fun at how convoluted and unfounded some conspiracy theories can become.
The "Blackadder solution" is a fantastical and humorous piece of writing that combines absurd historical reinterpretations, a satirical look at conspiracies, and an exaggerated cryptographic method. While it is clearly not intended to be taken seriously, the theory does highlight some real issues with certain approaches to deciphering the Voynich Manuscript, such as over-reliance on arbitrary cribs, cherry-picking data, and ignoring statistical properties. However, as a legitimate explanation for the manuscript's contents, the "Blackadder solution" falls far short. It is best seen as an imaginative, playful exploration of how easily historical and cryptographic narratives can be twisted to fit particular ideologies or fictions.
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Don't share sensitive info. Chats may be reviewed and used to train our models. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.