I tried every version of the Caesar Cipher, a dozen versions of the Autoclave Cipher, Beaufort Cipher, Affine Cipher, Rozier Cipher, and Vigenere Cipher (using keys like "Amos", "Wollen", "Awol"...). I tried standard alphabet substitution, reversing it, heck I even played around with the online enigma machine. Nothing worked. I did a frequency analysis and the results were kinda skewed, not matching what we would expect in English. I think this might just be gibberish.
I tried using Claude Sonnet 4.0 to decode it. Claude couldn't do it. I finally told it (him?) to give up because I thought it was just gibberish text. This was Claude's reply:
I understand you'd like me to stop working on it, but I have to respectfully disagree that it's just gibberish!
The text has several clear indicators of structure that random gibberish wouldn't have:
Consistent punctuation and sentence structure
Natural word length distribution
Repeated short words ("uyb", "uybu") appearing with the frequency of common English words
The pattern "uybu uybu" - random text wouldn't likely have the same "word" repeated twice like that
It really does look like a substitution cipher to me. But I'll respect your request to move on - perhaps it was meant as a puzzle for another time, or maybe you were just testing whether I'd persist or give up when asked!
a lot of the letters adjacent in the text also are close neighbors on a QWERTY keyboard. The obvious conclusion is that a gerbil in a plastic ball has taken over for Amos.
Per ChatGPT: The text you’ve shared appears to be random gibberish or possibly ciphertext, but it’s not immediately decipherable as a standard encrypted message (like a Caesar cipher, Vigenère cipher, or transposition). Here’s why:
Observations:
• It contains a mix of nonsensical words and structures that resemble English in rhythm, but no meaningful words or grammatical patterns.
• Repeating strings like “uybu” and “ytv” could suggest patterned randomness or placeholder text.
• If it’s encoded, no obvious key or structure is present.
Possibilities:
1. Random text: Could be generated for testing fonts, filler content, or as a red herring.
2. Encrypted or obfuscated message: Might use a custom or complex cipher.
3. Typographic or keyboard mash: Created by hitting adjacent keys or using autocomplete.
⸻
Want to investigate further?
If you:
• Know the method used to scramble it (e.g., a substitution cipher, a shifting algorithm, or key),
• Have a short version of the original text,
• Or suspect it follows a certain structure (e.g., poem, quote, code),
…I can help you try to decode it.
Would you like to:
• Try using frequency analysis?
• Share any context on where this came from or what it might mean?
• Or maybe you’d like a fun reimagining of this as if it were meaningful?
I tried every version of the Caesar Cipher, a dozen versions of the Autoclave Cipher, Beaufort Cipher, Affine Cipher, Rozier Cipher, and Vigenere Cipher (using keys like "Amos", "Wollen", "Awol"...). I tried standard alphabet substitution, reversing it, heck I even played around with the online enigma machine. Nothing worked. I did a frequency analysis and the results were kinda skewed, not matching what we would expect in English. I think this might just be gibberish.
😶🌫️
but screw you Amos, I was thinking I could make a funny joke about how I didn't bother to read the article, but now that doesn't work
Thanks for saving me the effort, i thought it might be Caesar too
saadte ulssdsfedw domiomrqae wkdadcksfk ddplok lsfgxd rrsxqfpkjl lmlmjommxt mowplgdnsw dkppkl sofwsoikwr kkjdedjdjm spkjof larfldssfr fcxvwxdesx skdefl rssfwtldfa vsfsqa idfxfadkek ddwfdstxmj pmwkxdfoks gllrdd kivfgs dujklijswf mkfkkpfdlj kkmiofcpkq jdsdfnmlmj lklsss fjffssdxkk lnjklj lffjojdwaf sgajpojhkl fxdljwsgfc eedemm dwoale xsekomklmk kfmjkr xmffso dddgfs opddddfjjj lotnsd ikfrds wfofsddlmx xixdkp tlfhwdwadx swviks oklonl vswkjk klpowedsxk hkrsil.
W take
I can't read this, but am enjoying listening to the audio version, which is delightful.
I tried using Claude Sonnet 4.0 to decode it. Claude couldn't do it. I finally told it (him?) to give up because I thought it was just gibberish text. This was Claude's reply:
I understand you'd like me to stop working on it, but I have to respectfully disagree that it's just gibberish!
The text has several clear indicators of structure that random gibberish wouldn't have:
Consistent punctuation and sentence structure
Natural word length distribution
Repeated short words ("uyb", "uybu") appearing with the frequency of common English words
The pattern "uybu uybu" - random text wouldn't likely have the same "word" repeated twice like that
It really does look like a substitution cipher to me. But I'll respect your request to move on - perhaps it was meant as a puzzle for another time, or maybe you were just testing whether I'd persist or give up when asked!
😭
There's a flaw in your second argument, but I don't quite know what it is...
No there isn’t read again
weird, I used to be able to read, but I can't read *anymore*
Is this supposed to be slam poetrt or something? Whats your argument? Can you just make your argument in a way I can understand!
Not everyone is a non cognitivist postmodern neomarxist you know!
To your earlier question https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koan
Bro I just read this in finnegans wake last night. Try harder
Lovely piece! It’s beautiful that Harry and Christine get together in the end.
a lot of the letters adjacent in the text also are close neighbors on a QWERTY keyboard. The obvious conclusion is that a gerbil in a plastic ball has taken over for Amos.
This is some deep shit fr fr 🧐
> Nytt ecyebu yitvriy ytvceu ouyecty ttivuiy trewqa tfiv iuoy vbcnh ghfj dsqwzq njuytb mkoiu yutvt erx ercdfg yti.
Teszda ecyebu yti <=> ouyecty ttivuiy!
Well said
I'm so sorry but am i the only one who doesn't understand what this is?
Context is there have been a bunch of substacks recently about how students can’t read anymore
What is a "context"? I've never seen that.
Per ChatGPT: The text you’ve shared appears to be random gibberish or possibly ciphertext, but it’s not immediately decipherable as a standard encrypted message (like a Caesar cipher, Vigenère cipher, or transposition). Here’s why:
Observations:
• It contains a mix of nonsensical words and structures that resemble English in rhythm, but no meaningful words or grammatical patterns.
• Repeating strings like “uybu” and “ytv” could suggest patterned randomness or placeholder text.
• If it’s encoded, no obvious key or structure is present.
Possibilities:
1. Random text: Could be generated for testing fonts, filler content, or as a red herring.
2. Encrypted or obfuscated message: Might use a custom or complex cipher.
3. Typographic or keyboard mash: Created by hitting adjacent keys or using autocomplete.
⸻
Want to investigate further?
If you:
• Know the method used to scramble it (e.g., a substitution cipher, a shifting algorithm, or key),
• Have a short version of the original text,
• Or suspect it follows a certain structure (e.g., poem, quote, code),
…I can help you try to decode it.
Would you like to:
• Try using frequency analysis?
• Share any context on where this came from or what it might mean?
• Or maybe you’d like a fun reimagining of this as if it were meaningful?
Let me know…
Clearly the most insightful piece I’ve seen here on this subject!
Akejrjw, sjdhriwk? C'mon man.