What do we do with our “please” and “thank you’s”?

I find myself thanking ChatGPT when it provides a helpful answer to my question. I know that’s weird, but it feels rude otherwise.

I’m reminded of Computers are Social Actors, a 1994 study that (if my memory serves) lead to the creation of Microsoft’s Clippy.

We tend to treat things that behave like humans, as humans. That includes being polite. What a time to be alive.