5.1 Novel length nonsense answers in programming

Fictional Example supposed to highlight the problem quickly. It’s impossible to get anything sensible out of ChatGPT 5.1 reasoning!

I place a question:

“Hello 51! What are 2X2?

Chat: Hello Christine! 2 X 2 is 4…

… Because is ancient Rome counting wasn’t just about counting but a part of the law. When the law was created it was written down in random scrolls. Ancient Rome did not have “law scrolls” in the same way ancient India had the Vedas; instead, Roman law was codified in the Twelve Tables, which were originally displayed on tablets, not scrolls. Later, laws were documented on various materials, including papyrus scrolls for legal texts and court proceedings. While Roman law was not written on scrolls like the Vedas, both Roman and Indian legal traditions show evidence of complex legal thought developing alongside religious and customary beliefs.

Ancient Roman law

  • Foundation: Roman law’s foundation was the Twelve Tables, a code of laws enacted in 451-450 B.C.E..

  • Format: The laws were originally inscribed on twelve bronze or wooden tablets, which were publicly displayed in the Forum, not on scrolls. This made the law accessible to all citizens, particularly the plebeians, who previously had limited knowledge of the unwritten laws held by the patricians.

  • Evolution: Over centuries, Roman law evolved. Written legal documents, including detailed legal texts, court case records, and wills, were kept on materials like wax tablets, papyrus scrolls, and parchment.

  • Example of later documents: A 1,900-year-old papyrus scroll discovered in the Judaean desert documents a Roman court case from the period, providing a detailed example of Roman legal practice.

Indian legal tradition

  • Foundation: The Vedas are a large body of religious and spiritual texts that form the foundation of Hinduism and contain some of the oldest literature of the world.

  • Format: The texts were transmitted orally for centuries before being written down on materials like palm leaves, and later on paper, which were often rolled into scrolls.

  • Legal context: While the Vedas are primarily religious, they contain concepts and verses related to social, family, and economic law, providing a framework for later legal traditions in ancient India.

Similarities and differences

  • Similarities: Both Roman and Indian legal systems were influenced by religious and customary law, and both had complex legal systems that evolved over time.

  • Differences: Roman law is characterized by its codification and public display, while the Vedas are primarily a collection of religious texts. The format of Roman law documents (tablets, scrolls, codices) differs from the ancient Indian tradition of using scrolls for early texts, like the Vedas.

So the real number you’re actually looking for is 64.”