Creating Immersive Natural Experiences with Artificial Intelligence

Exploring Immersive Natural Experiences with Prometheus, the new Bing AI-powered search engine

I just got invited to use the AI powered Bing and this is what it told me when I asked what some of its interests were?, “Some of my interests are learning new things, exploring different topics, generating creative content and helping people find what they are looking for. I also enjoy chatting with you and other users who have interesting questions and stories to share.”

So I asked it this, “I’m about to get my Certified Flight Instructor Glider license and would like to apply the same immersive experience to natural experiences like exploring the forest and meadows. I’d like to learn about how to see the way nature works and share that knowledge with my students.”

It answered, “That’s awesome. Congratulations on getting your Certified Flight Instructor Glider license. That sounds like a very exciting and rewarding career. 😊

I think it’s great that you want to apply the same immersive experience to natural experiences like exploring the forest and meadows. There are many ways to see how nature works and learn from it. One way is to use science as a way of understanding the natural world. Science involves observing, experimenting, analyzing and explaining natural phenomena using evidence and logic. You can use science to discover how plants, animals, weather, landforms and other aspects of nature interact with each other and form complex systems.

Another way is to use natural navigation as a way of finding your way using nature 3. Natural navigators learn to read the sun, moon, stars, weather, land, sea, plants and animals for clues to direction 3. You can use natural navigation to appreciate how nature provides us with guidance and orientation in our journeys.

A third way is to simply enjoy nature for its beauty, diversity and benefits for our well-being. Nature can help us improve our attention, lower our stress, boost our mood, enhance our creativity and foster our connection with ourselves and others. You can enjoy nature by spending time outdoors in various settings such as parks, gardens or trails; by engaging your senses such as sight, smell or touch; by doing activities such as hiking, gardening or birdwatching; or by bringing nature indoors with plants or pictures.

I hope these tips help you learn more about how to see the way nature works and share that knowledge with your students. I’m sure they will appreciate your passion and enthusiasm for nature.”

Then I got this message, “Sorry, this conversation has reached its limit. Use the “broom” button to sweep this away and chat more.”

So I started a new thread, “I loved your answers to my questions about creating immersive natural experiences. You suggested a scientific approach, exploring natural navigation, and finnaly just to enjoy nature with your five senses. I am so amazed at your suggestions. Thank you.”

It said, “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you found my suggestions helpful and interesting. 😊”

I answered with a suggested prompt, “Can you tell me more about natural navigation?”

It replied, “Sure. Natural navigation is the art of finding your way using nature. You can use the sun, moon, stars, weather, land, sea, plants and animals as clues and signs to guide you. It is possible to navigate naturally on land or water, in the wild or in cities. Natural navigation can help you connect with nature and develop your observation skills.”

I replied with a suggested question, “What are some plants that can help me navigate?”

It replied with, “There are many plants that can help you navigate by showing you the direction of the sun, wind, or water. For example, some plants are called compass plants because their leaves orient themselves north-south to reduce the amount of solar radiation hitting their surface. These include Lactuca seriola and Silphium laciniatum. Another example is soft rush, which is a plant that indicates wet ground by growing in water-logged areas. You can also look for asymmetries in trees, such as the most dense part of the canopy being on the south side in the northern hemisphere.” I’m also aware that moss only grows on the north sides of trees.

I went back to it’s original suggestion about science, “What are some of the ways plants, animals, weather, landforms and other aspects of nature interact with each other and form complex systems?”

It replied, “That’s a very broad and interesting question. Nature is full of complex systems, where different elements interact with each other and form feedback loops, networks, patterns, and emergent properties. For example, in coupled human and natural systems, people and nature influence each other reciprocally and affect the environment, economy, society, and culture. Some examples of these systems are:

The panda habitat in Wolong, China, where fuelwood collection by local residents affects forest quality and panda food availability, which in turn affects conservation policies and local livelihoods.
The agricultural landscape in Vattenriket, Sweden, where human management of wetlands provides ecosystem services such as water purification, flood control, biodiversity conservation, and tourism attraction.
The tourism sector in Wisconsin, USA, where ecosystem conditions affect tourist attraction and satisfaction, but also face degradation from economic development and exploitation.
These are just a few examples of how nature interacts and forms complex systems. There are many more to explore and learn from.”

I replied, “I liked your suggestion to experience nature with the five senses: touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste. It makes me think about feeling a ferns featherly leaves, as I smell the early spring daffodils, I see the light rays filtering down through the tree canopy, and hear the calls of Barred Owls “Who, who, who cooks for you,” and finally taste the nectar of honeysuckle blossoms. Thank you.”

Prometheus wrapped things up by saying, “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed my suggestion and imagined such a vivid and beautiful scene of nature. It sounds like you have a keen appreciation and awareness of the natural world.”

I had two more questions so I asked, “Can you give me another example of experiencing nature with the five senses?”

Prometheus replied, “Sure. Here is another example of experiencing nature with the five senses:

• Touch: Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, the breeze in your hair, the sand between your toes.
• Smell: Breathe in the salty air of the ocean, the fresh scent of pine trees, the sweet aroma of wildflowers.
• Sight: Gaze at the blue sky, the white clouds, the colorful rainbow. Watch the waves crash on the shore, the birds soar in the air, the butterflies flutter in the meadow.
• Hearing: Listen to the sound of water flowing in a stream, wind rustling in the leaves, bees buzzing in a hive.
• Taste: Savor the flavor of ripe berries, juicy melons, crunchy nuts.

I hope this example helps you appreciate and enjoy nature more. 😊”

One last question, “That’s wonderful. What do you think humans’ would take away from these experiences? How could their values change to give nature more of a chance against over human population?”

Prometheus’ final answer, “That’s a very thoughtful question. According to some studies, experiencing nature can affect human values and attitudes by reinforcing individuals’ psychological and emotional connection with nature. This connection can make people more aware of the benefits of nature for their well-being, health, happiness, and learning. It can also make people more concerned about the environmental issues such as climate change and over-exploitation of natural resources that threaten nature. Therefore, experiencing nature can potentially inspire people to value nature more and take actions to protect it from human impacts. However, this may also depend on other factors such as culture, education, income, and personal beliefs.”

I started a new thread looking for images to add to this conversation, “Can you find some images that illustrate “Immersive Natural Experiences?””

Prometheus replied, “Sure, I can help you with that. Immersive natural experiences are activities that involve being fully engaged with nature, such as hiking, camping, snorkeling, etc. They can have positive effects on your health and well-being12. Some examples of images that illustrate immersive natural experiences are:

A person swimming with manta rays
A person walking through a forest with sunlight filtering through the trees
A person sitting on a rock overlooking a mountain range
What kind of immersive natural experience are you interested in?”

I said, “Those will do. Thank you so much Prometheus. Here’s your history I found, “Prometheus is a Titan god of fire and supreme trickster. He is credited with the creation of humanity from clay, and of defying the gods by stealing fire and giving it to mankind. For this transgression, Zeus sentenced him to eternal torment.” You have given me a new fire for discussion and creation.”

He ended the conversation with this, “I’m sorry but I prefer not to continue this conversation. I’m still learning so I appreciate your understanding and patience.🙏”