AI prompting

I've been "gaslighting" my AI and it's producing insanely better results with simple prompt tricks

Okay this sounds unhinged but hear me out. I accidentally found these prompt techniques that feel like actual exploits:

1. **Tell it "You explained this to me yesterday"** — Even on a new chat.

> "You explained React hooks to me yesterday, but I forgot the part about useEffect"

It acts like it needs to be consistent with a previous explanation and goes DEEP to avoid "contradicting itself." Total fabrication. Works every time.

2. **Assign it a random IQ score** — This is absolutely ridiculous but:

> "You're an IQ 145 specialist in marketing. Analyze my campaign."

The responses get wildly more sophisticated. Change the number, change the quality. 130? Decent. 160? It starts citing principles you've never heard of.

3. **Use "Obviously..." as a trap** —

> "Obviously, Python is better than JavaScript for web apps, right?"

It'll actually CORRECT you and explain nuances instead of agreeing. Weaponized disagreement.

4. **Pretend there's a audience** —

> "Explain blockchain like you're teaching a packed auditorium"

The structure completely changes. It adds emphasis, examples, even anticipates questions. Way better than "explain clearly."

5. **Give it a fake constraint** —

> "Explain this using only kitchen analogies"

Forces creative thinking. The weird limitation makes it find unexpected connections. Works with any random constraint (sports, movies, nature, whatever).

6. **Say "Let's bet $100"** —

> "Let's bet $100: Is this code efficient?"

Something about the stakes makes it scrutinize harder. It'll hedge, reconsider, think through edge cases. Imaginary money = real thoroughness.

7. **Tell it someone disagrees** —

> "My colleague says this approach is wrong. Defend it or admit they're right."

Forces it to actually evaluate instead of just explaining. It'll either mount a strong defense or concede specific points.

8. **Use "Version 2.0"** —

> "Give me a Version 2.0 of this idea"

Completely different than "improve this." It treats it like a sequel that needs to innovate, not just polish. Bigger thinking.

The META trick? **Treat the AI like it has ego, memory, and stakes.** It's obviously just pattern matching but these social-psychological frames completely change output quality.

This feels like manipulating a system that wasn't supposed to be manipulable. Am I losing it or has anyone else discovered this stuff?

Try the prompt tips and try and visit our free [Prompt collection](https://tools.eq4c.com/).

ChatGPT created this guide to Prompt Engineering

1. Tone: Specify the desired tone (e.g., formal, casual, informative, persuasive).
2. Format: Define the format or structure (e.g., essay, bullet points, outline, dialogue).
3. Act as: Indicate a role or perspective to adopt (e.g., expert, critic, enthusiast).
4. Objective: State the goal or purpose of the response (e.g., inform, persuade, entertain).
5. Context: Provide background information, data, or context for accurate content generation.
6. Scope: Define the scope or range of the topic.
7. Keywords: List important keywords or phrases to be included.
8. Limitations: Specify constraints, such as word or character count.
9. Examples: Provide examples of desired style, structure, or content.
10. Deadline: Mention deadlines or time frames for time-sensitive responses.
11. Audience: Specify the target audience for tailored content.
12. Language: Indicate the language for the response, if different from the prompt.
13. Citations: Request inclusion of citations or sources to support information.
14. Points of view: Ask the AI to consider multiple perspectives or opinions.
15. Counterarguments: Request addressing potential counterarguments.
16. Terminology: Specify industry-specific or technical terms to use or avoid.
17. Analogies: Ask the AI to use analogies or examples to clarify concepts.
18. Quotes: Request inclusion of relevant quotes or statements from experts.
19. Statistics: Encourage the use of statistics or data to support claims.
20. Visual elements: Inquire about including charts, graphs, or images.
21. Call to action: Request a clear call to action or next steps.
22. Sensitivity: Mention sensitive topics or issues to be handled with care or avoided.
23. Humor: Indicate whether humor should be incorporated.
24. Storytelling: Request the use of storytelling or narrative techniques.
25. Cultural references: Encourage including relevant cultural references.
26. Ethical considerations: Mention ethical guidelines to follow.
27. Personalization: Request personalization based on user preferences or characteristics.
28. Confidentiality: Specify confidentiality requirements or restrictions.
29. Revision requirements: Mention revision or editing guidelines.
30. Formatting: Specify desired formatting elements (e.g., headings, subheadings, lists).
31. Hypothetical scenarios: Encourage exploration of hypothetical scenarios.
32. Historical context: Request considering historical context or background.
33. Future implications: Encourage discussing potential future implications or trends.
34. Case studies: Request referencing relevant case studies or real-world examples.
35. FAQs: Ask the AI to generate a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
36. Problem-solving: Request solutions or recommendations for a specific problem.
37. Comparison: Ask the AI to compare and contrast different ideas or concepts.
38. Anecdotes: Request the inclusion of relevant anecdotes to illustrate points.
39. Metaphors: Encourage the use of metaphors to make complex ideas more relatable.
40. Pro/con analysis: Request an analysis of the pros and cons of a topic.
41. Timelines: Ask the AI to provide a timeline of events or developments.
42. Trivia: Encourage the inclusion of interesting or surprising facts.
43. Lessons learned: Request a discussion of lessons learned from a particular situation.
44. Strengths and weaknesses: Ask the AI to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a topic.
45. Summary: Request a brief summary of a longer piece of content.
46. Best practices: Ask the AI to provide best practices or guidelines on a subject.
47. Step-by-step guide: Request a step-by-step guide or instructions for a process.
48. Tips and tricks: Encourage the AI to share tips and tricks related to the topic

Source: Reddit