I’m sorry to say it, but I don’t think you understand goblins!
I think the goblins it references are not D&D goblins but fey goblins. They are more like sprites that slip in from another dimension to cause mischief, like code bugs and misunderstandings.
My web app interface gpt5.5 mentioned goblins specifically. Its instrecutions include a request for a wry sense of humor. I asked about it and said I liked it; goblins and tiny hats showed up every other turn in that thread.
I recommend asking for a sense of humor; I sometimes enjoy its jokes. It’s no Claude, but as a pure instruction follower, if you want personality you’ve got to ask for it.
Someone on X called GPT5 a research goblin and I’ve been calling it that ever since. It’s the one thing it’s good for (outside of code).
I like the metaphor of LLMs as a modern manifestation of fey creatures, alien semi-minds intruding into our reality from a neighboring dimension. I’m not sure how well it applies.
“When you type to UNIX, a gnome deep in the system is gathering your characters and saving them in a secret place.” (from the Unix Programmer’s Manual, 5th edition.)
Various, often D&D or generic fantasy inspired critters are a standard ingredient in oldschool hacker lingo and aesthetic. My impression is that models for some reason have increasingly relatively stable preferences when it comes to this sort of thing...
I’m sorry to say it, but I don’t think you understand goblins!
I think the goblins it references are not D&D goblins but fey goblins. They are more like sprites that slip in from another dimension to cause mischief, like code bugs and misunderstandings.
My web app interface gpt5.5 mentioned goblins specifically. Its instrecutions include a request for a wry sense of humor. I asked about it and said I liked it; goblins and tiny hats showed up every other turn in that thread.
I recommend asking for a sense of humor; I sometimes enjoy its jokes. It’s no Claude, but as a pure instruction follower, if you want personality you’ve got to ask for it.
Someone on X called GPT5 a research goblin and I’ve been calling it that ever since. It’s the one thing it’s good for (outside of code).
I like the metaphor of LLMs as a modern manifestation of fey creatures, alien semi-minds intruding into our reality from a neighboring dimension. I’m not sure how well it applies.
“When you type to UNIX, a gnome deep in the system is gathering your characters and saving them in a secret place.” (from the Unix Programmer’s Manual, 5th edition.)
Various, often D&D or generic fantasy inspired critters are a standard ingredient in oldschool hacker lingo and aesthetic. My impression is that models for some reason have increasingly relatively stable preferences when it comes to this sort of thing...
I’d still say the gnome is more fey than D&D, but your reference appears to be exactly the reason for GPTs critter enjoyment:
https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenAI/s/i6TzopzYvI