I am reasonably sure affirmations are a feature, not a bug. No matter how much I might disagree.

Also pretty sure it is a feature because the general population wants to have pleasant interactions with their ChatGPT and OpenAI's user feedback research will have told them this helps. I know some non-developer type people which mostly talk to ChatGPT about stuff like

- how to cope with the sadness of losing their cat

- ranting about the annoying habits of their friends

- finding all the nice places to eat in a city

etc.

They do not want that "robot" personality and they are the majority.

Agreed on all points.

I also recall reading a while back that it's also a dopamine trigger. If you make people feel better using your app, they keep coming back for another fix. At least until they realize the hollow nature of the affirmations and start getting negative feelings about it. Such a fine line.