Perplexity AI Summarized My Last Novel, "Quedly Dake and His Quest to Conquer the Globe"

It Was Fast, But Was It Accurate?

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Perplexity AI offers to summarize documents you upload to it. I gave it a try by feeding it my most recent novel, Quedly Dake and His Quest to Conquer the Globe, the last installment in the Taterskin & The Eco Defenders trilogy.

This is what it generated, with my critiques of its summary at appropriate places:

The document titled "Taterskin and The Eco Defenders: His Quest to Conquer the Globe" is the third book in a trilogy by Blackbird Crow Raven, featuring a blend of adventure and themes centered around environmentalism and friendship.

Oddly enough, Perplexity AI got the title of my novel wrong.

Main Characters

The story includes a diverse cast of characters:

Quedly Dake: The antagonist, a human seeking power and recognition.

Taterskin: A Labrador Retriever and the narrator, who is part of the Eco Defenders.

Rovette: Taterskin's companion, a Golden Retriever.

The Pups: Their offspring, including Goldilox and others.

Various other animals including an African Grey Parrot, Bengal Tiger, African Elephants, and more.

Plot Summary

The narrative begins with Quedly Dake feeling discontent in his egalitarian society; he desires to be celebrated and feared. Set in the year 2525, Taterskin describes a peaceful life in northern California, disrupted when the sky darkens and an ominous feeling envelops the area. The tranquility shatters when it is revealed that the Arodnap, a time-traveling aircraft invented by Albert Spartacus Joad, has been stolen.

Key Events

Discovery of the Theft: Stripes the Bengal Tiger informs Taterskin and Albert that the Arodnap is missing. The group deduces that only someone with flying capabilities could have taken it.

Gathering of the Eco Defenders: The characters convene to discuss the theft and potential suspects. They suspect a human or a monkey could be responsible.

Introduction of the OmniMagister: Albert and Alexis reveal their invention, which can answer any historical question. They use it to identify Quedly Dake as the thief.

Quedly Dake’s Ambitions: It is disclosed that Dake used his newfound power from stealing the Arodnap to become "Emperor of the World for Eternity," raising questions about his motivations and future actions.

Themes

The story explores themes of ambition, environmental stewardship, camaraderie among diverse species, and the consequences of seeking power at the expense of others. The characters' interactions emphasize loyalty and teamwork as they confront challenges posed by Dake.

Overall, this installment continues to build on the adventures of Taterskin and his friends while addressing pertinent issues related to authority and ecological responsibility within a fantastical framework.

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Note that although Alexis, one of the main characters, is mentioned several times in the summary, Perplexity never explains that she is an African Gray Parrot (not a human or some other type of critter).

That’s the overall summary, and there are no other real “what the hecks!?!” (after getting the title of the novel wrong) from me about what Perplexity AI generated as shown above. Several “Related Queries” are also generated, and when expanded, are populated with more AI-generated information about the novel, for example:

What is the main conflict in the story

The main conflict centers on Quedly Dake's quest for power after stealing the Arodnap, a time-traveling aircraft invented by Albert Spartacus Joad. Dake, dissatisfied with being part of an egalitarian society, seeks to be celebrated, feared, and ultimately become the "Emperor of the World for Eternity"

Key Conflict Elements

Motivation: Quedly Dake wants to be more than just equal, desiring to be the "biggest whale" in humanity

The “biggest whale” in the ocean, that is, Dake wanting to be “a big fish in a big pond”

Method: He steals the Arodnap time-travel aircraft and uses it to:

Make a fortune in the stock market

Launch publicity campaigns

Use flattery, bribes, and threats to gain power

Interesting Discovery

Ironically, Dake learned about the Arodnap's existence and how to operate it by reading Taterskin's previous books, Wonders Never Cease and Tell It To Future Generations

This reveals that the Eco Defenders themselves inadvertently provided Dake with the information he needed to execute his plan.

The Eco Defenders, led by Taterskin, are now faced with the challenge of stopping Dake and recovering the Arodnap before he can fully realize his ambitions of global domination.

Key Conflict Elements

[Repeated information elided]

2) How does the theft of the Arodnap impact the plot

The theft of the Arodnap serves as the primary catalyst for the plot, setting in motion a series of events that disrupt the peaceful existence of Taterskin and the Eco Defenders. This incident impacts the story in several significant ways:

Immediate Effects

It creates a sudden and dramatic change in the environment, with the sky turning dark, fog filling the valley, and temperatures dropping.

A palpable feeling of dread engulfs the area, alerting the characters that something is seriously wrong.

Plot Development

The theft prompts an urgent gathering of the Eco Defenders to investigate and address the situation.

It introduces the main antagonist, Quedly Dake, and his ambitious plan to use the Arodnap for personal gain.

[Repeated information elided]

These actions lead to Dake becoming "the most powerful man in the world" and eventually declaring himself "Emperor of the World for Eternity".

Conflict and Resolution

The theft of the Arodnap creates the central conflict that the Eco Defenders must resolve. They need to:

Identify the thief (accomplished using the OmniMagister)

Locate the Arodnap

Prevent Dake from further misusing the time-travel technology

Potentially undo the changes Dake has made to the timeline

By stealing the Arodnap, Quedly Dake not only disrupts the peace of the Eco Defenders but also threatens the stability of the world, setting up the main challenge that the protagonists must overcome in the story.

3) Who is suspected of stealing the Arodnap

Initially, the Eco Defenders suspect that the thief must be either a human or a gorilla-type creature, as they are the only ones capable of operating the Arodnap. However, Ooga the Gorilla firmly denies any gorilla involvement, asserting that it must be a human due to their tendency for sneaky behavior

The mystery is ultimately solved when Albert and Alexis reveal their invention, the OmniMagister. Upon querying this device, it is disclosed that the Arodnap was stolen by Quedly Dake, a man born in Tonopah, Nevada in 2499

Quedly Dake, described as a young man in his mid-20s, used the stolen Arodnap to:

[Repeated information elided]

4) What motives might Quedly Dake have for stealing the Arodnap

Quedly Dake's motives for stealing the Arodnap are rooted in his dissatisfaction with living in an egalitarian society. Unlike his neighbors, Dake was not content with being equal to others; he desired to be celebrated, revered, and even feared. He aspired to be the most powerful individual, metaphorically wanting to be "the biggest whale in the ocean of humanity" rather than just a big fish in a small pond

This time, the summary explains “biggest whale” better than it previously did.

Ultimately, these actions led him to declare himself "Emperor of the World for Eternity," illustrating his desire for absolute power and control

5) What are Quedly Dake's long-term goals

Quedly Dake's long-term goals are centered around achieving ultimate power and recognition. Specifically, his ambitions include:

Becoming the most powerful man in the world

Declaring himself "Emperor of the World for Eternity"

To achieve these goals, Dake employed a strategic approach:

He stole the Arodnap, a time-traveling aircraft, to gain an advantage

Using the Arodnap, he made a fortune in the stock market

He leveraged his newfound wealth to launch publicity campaigns

[Repeated information elided]

6) How does Quedly Dake's ambition impact his relationships with other characters

Quedly Dake's ambition significantly impacts his relationships with other characters, primarily through the disruption and mistrust it causes among the Eco Defenders. Here are the key ways his ambition affects these relationships:

Distrust and Suspicion

Initial Reactions: When the Arodnap is stolen, the Eco Defenders are immediately thrown into suspicion and confusion. They suspect a human or gorilla might be responsible, which reflects a breakdown in trust within their community.

Ooga's Defense: Ooga the Gorilla, the only non-human capable of flying the Arodnap, vehemently denies any gorilla involvement, highlighting a defensive stance against potential accusations from others.

Strained Alliances

Human vs. Animal Dynamics: Ooga expresses a belief that humans have a tendency to be sneaky and steal things, suggesting an underlying tension between human and non-human members of the Eco Defenders. This tension is exacerbated by Dake's actions.

Albert's Sadness: Albert Spartacus Joad, a key human character, feels saddened by the aspersions cast against humans, indicating that Dake's betrayal affects how humans are perceived within their group.

Motivation for Action

Unified Purpose: Despite the initial distrust, Dake's theft unites the Eco Defenders with a common goal to recover the Arodnap and prevent further misuse. This shared mission temporarily bridges any divides caused by suspicion.

Overall, Quedly Dake's ambition creates a ripple effect of distrust and defensiveness among the characters, challenging their alliances but also motivating them to work together to address the threat he poses.

7) How do the Eco Defenders view Quedly Dake's ambition

The Eco Defenders view Quedly Dake's ambition with concern and disapproval. They see his actions as a significant threat to their peaceful existence and the world at large. Their perspective on Dake's ambition is characterized by:

Alarm: The theft of the Arodnap causes immediate distress among the Eco Defenders, prompting them to gather and investigate the situation urgently.

Suspicion: Initially, they suspect either a human or a gorilla-type creature, reflecting their wariness of those capable of such an act.

Disappointment: Albert Spartacus Joad appears saddened by the implications of a human stealing the Arodnap, suggesting a sense of betrayal.

Determination: The Eco Defenders unite in their resolve to find Dake and recover the Arodnap, demonstrating their opposition to his goals.

Concern for consequences: They recognize the potential dangers of Dake's actions, especially his use of the time-travel technology for personal gain and power.

The Eco Defenders' reaction to Dake's ambition is one of collective alarm and determination to counteract his plans, viewing his actions as a serious threat to the stability and peace they have worked to achieve.

8) How do the Eco Defenders' values conflict with Quedly Dake's ambitions

The Eco Defenders' values fundamentally conflict with Quedly Dake's ambitions in several key ways:

Egalitarianism vs. Power Hunger: The Eco Defenders live in an egalitarian society, valuing equality among all members. In contrast, Dake is dissatisfied with being equal to others and desires to be "celebrated, revered, honored, even feared".

Peaceful Coexistence vs. Domination: The Eco Defenders enjoy a "wonderful and peaceful existence" in northern California. Dake, however, seeks to become "the biggest whale in the ocean of humanity" and ultimately declares himself "Emperor of the World for Eternity".

Collaboration vs. Individual Gain: The Eco Defenders work together to solve problems and maintain peace. Dake uses the stolen Arodnap for personal gain, making a fortune in the stock market and using "publicity campaigns, flattery, bribes, and threats" to amass power.

Responsibility vs. Exploitation: The Eco Defenders use their time-travel technology responsibly to "right wrongs and reverse tragedies". Dake exploits this technology for his own benefit, disregarding potential consequences.

Trust vs. Deception: The Eco Defenders operate on trust, as evidenced by their open sharing of information (like in Taterskin's books). Dake betrays this trust by using the shared knowledge to steal the Arodnap and pursue his selfish ambitions.

These conflicts highlight the stark contrast between the Eco Defenders' values of community, peace, and responsible use of power, and Dake's pursuit of personal glory and dominion over others.

9) How do the Eco Defenders' actions reflect their values in response to Quedly Dake's ambitions

The Eco Defenders' actions in response to Quedly Dake's ambitions reflect their core values of cooperation, responsibility, and a commitment to justice and peace. Here is how their actions align with these values:

Cooperation and Unity

Gathering of Allies: Upon discovering the theft of the Arodnap, the Eco Defenders quickly assemble to address the crisis, demonstrating their ability to work together in times of need.

Involvement of All Members: They ensure that all members, including diverse species like elephants, gorillas, and humans, are informed and involved in the decision-making process.

Responsibility and Problem-Solving

Use of Technology for Good: Albert and Alexis reveal the OmniMagister, a device designed to answer any historical question. This invention is used responsibly to identify Dake as the thief, showcasing their commitment to using technology for constructive purposes.

Preventive Measures: Albert had previously modified the Arodnap's software to prevent future time travel, reflecting foresight and responsibility in managing powerful technology.

Commitment to Justice

Determination to Recover the Arodnap: The Eco Defenders are resolute in their mission to find and retrieve the stolen Arodnap, aiming to prevent Dake from misusing it further.

Addressing Wrongdoing: They are focused on correcting the wrongs caused by Dake's theft and ensuring that such power is not abused.

These actions underscore the Eco Defenders' dedication to maintaining peace and equality while countering threats posed by individuals like Quedly Dake who seek power for personal gain.

NOTE: Every time I selected a “related query” from a list of several, it gave me voluminous information on that topic, but also created a NEW set of “related queries.” I could have made this post many times longer if I had gone down every rabbit hole and posted all the results.

For the “whole enchilada,” you can access the page where these results are stored here.

What follows are a few of the remaining “nuggets” (of the subset that I generated and read):

Proactive Problem-Solving: The creation of the OmniMagister demonstrates a move towards more proactive measures in identifying and addressing threats.

Vigilance: The unexpected theft of the Arodnap during a time of peace forces the Eco Defenders to remain vigilant, even in seemingly tranquil periods.

Power Dynamics: Dake's rapid rise to power using the Arodnap compels the Eco Defenders to consider the broader implications of their technology and how it might be misused for personal gain.

These re-evaluations highlight the Eco Defenders' need to adapt their priorities to protect their achievements and maintain their values in the face of unexpected challenges

...

Unity in Crisis: The Eco Defenders come together swiftly, setting aside individual pursuits to address the threat collectively.

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The group uses their established communication channels, such as Chumbawumba the elephant's trumpet call, to summon all members.

Focus on Internal Resources: The Eco Defenders utilize their internal expertise and capabilities, such as Albert's engineering skills and Alexis's intelligence, to devise a plan to recover the Arodnap and counter Dake's ambitions.

Overall, the Eco Defenders prioritize strengthening their internal cohesion and utilizing their technological advancements to address the threat posed by Quedly Dake, rather than forming new alliances.

The diverse skills and knowledge of the existing Eco Defenders team are leveraged to analyze the situation and plan their response.

I finally “called it a day” when the following “Related Queries” were left to explore if the time and inclination to do so existed.

Which new alliances are the most unexpected

How do the new alliances complement each other's skills

What are the biggest challenges faced by the new alliances

How do the new alliances affect the dynamics within the Eco Defenders

Are there any notable leaders within the new alliances

Note that these queries are moot according to an observation that Perplexity AI generated above, namely that “there are no new alliances formed specifically to fight against Quedly Dake”

Again, though, if so inclined you can dig deeper into the voluminous summary that Perplexity AI provided of “Quedly Dake” by following the link here.

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