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MineralMan

(149,517 posts) Fri Jul 18, 2025, 02:21 PM Friday

The Origins of "Grok." [View all]

It occurs to me that not everyone knows where the word "Grok" comes from. It originally was used by Robert A. Heinlein in 1961 in his SciFi novel, Stranger in a Strange Land. Originally it had the meaning of "to understand something intuitively and deeply." The word sort of entered the everyday vocabulary of a lot of people who were taken by Heinlein's point of view. Over time, it sort of fell out of common usage. When Elon Musk used it as part of the name of his AI product, it was reintroduced into vocabulary, but with a somewhat different meaning. Personally, I feel like Musk doesn't grok Heinlein's concept very well.

Anyhow, if you're interested, you can learn more at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grok

72 replies

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The Origins of "Grok." [View all] MineralMan Friday OP

Ok, I got ForgedCrank Friday #1

I did not enjoy that story, had to slog through it. Swede Friday #2

A lot of his stuff was complicated and erratic. MineralMan Friday #6

In my opinion, he wrote two stories in his career. nilram Friday #23

I'd guess it was assigned reading. I was at the U in the mid 60s. A lot of profs thought Heinlein erronis Friday #28

That's Vonnegut Orrex Friday #37

Of course. Glad you noticed. erronis Friday #39

I figured you knew, but I couldn't resist geeking out Orrex Friday #51

Heinlein became libertarian, even if he still had some compassion. The Wikipedia article has a section muriel_volestrangler Friday #3

I didn't get into Heinlein's personality or politics at all. MineralMan Friday #4

Thanks for the link. The writer is pretty balanced but is harsh on Heinlein's flaws, as he should be. Bernardo de La Paz Friday #9

I recommend this thread :) Bernardo de La Paz Friday #5

everyone should read Stranger in a Strange Land at least once, IMHO eShirl Friday #7

Thumbnail avatars aside genxlib Friday #10

I was an avid reader of "hard" science fiction in the 50s and 60s. MineralMan Friday #12

What was so wonderful about Asimov is that he wrote a wide variety of topics both in fiction and nonfiction. HeartsCanHope Friday #20

Yes. He was one of the most prolific non-fiction writers ever. MineralMan Friday #21

My background is in library science. Asimov was able to reach his readers at their level. HeartsCanHope Friday #26

I think what you're describing is the difference between science fiction, and science fantasy. erronis Friday #31

I think I'd describe science fiction as Emrys Friday #54

I like your viewpoint. And as you said, it depends on where we are in our intellectual development. erronis Friday #61

Pure fantasy writing has never been a major interest of mine Emrys Friday #64

The "Golden Age of Science-Fiction"... GJGCA Friday #35

That's usually attributed to H.L. Gold. highplainsdem Friday #62

despite the book disappearing from my library slightlv Friday #58

I hated that book genxlib Friday #8

An acquired taste, I guess. MineralMan Friday #13

I rate it in the middle part of his works, above average. But he has lots better. Bernardo de La Paz Friday #14

That sounds about right. I had scifi writers I liked a lot better than Heinlein. MineralMan Friday #22

I think Heinlein is the most American of all SF writers and the best story teller too. Others are more lyrical Bernardo de La Paz Friday #30

Not a surprise that you would think so professor FBaggins Friday #40

Thank you. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Friday #42

...and, Grok is powered by the largest AI supercomputer in the world, Colossus. LudwigPastorius Friday #11

Yes, indeed. MineralMan Friday #15

Have they said which Colossus they named it after? muriel_volestrangler Friday #34

There were buttons that said "I grok Spock" back in the day Maeve Friday #16

Yes, I remember that. The word sort of dropped out of use, though, MineralMan Friday #17

For a libertarian Musk has certainly sucked up a lot of taxpayer dollars. hunter Friday #47

I and my friend used to frequently use the term "grok". forgotmylogin Friday #18

Musk has a childish (in good and bad senses) fascination with the Red Planet Bernardo de La Paz Friday #19

Your use of the word "gripping" made me think of MineralMan Friday #25

Pournelle has politics many here do not like. He wrote good hard science SF but has PhD in Political Science. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Friday #32

I'm not surprised. MineralMan Friday #38

Jerry didn't handle political arguments well. highplainsdem Friday #45

No. I never talked politics with him. MineralMan Friday #52

My previous post was a statement, not a question. highplainsdem Friday #53

A lot of people saw him as a laughing stock. MineralMan Friday #55

He was very intelligent and could be very nice and helpful. But he tended to be wrong on politics, highplainsdem Friday #57

Sounds like you knew him better MineralMan Friday #63

Neither eLoon nor tRump have the ability to Grok anything. flashman13 Friday #24

"Uncensored version"? Do tell -- I read the first paperback as a teenager mid-60s. What's the history? Hekate Friday #59

There are some Heinlein books and stories that he toned down for publication. rsdsharp Friday #66

Ahh. Thank you. Hekate Friday #69

You mean "MechaHitler?" Karasu Friday #27

I've used "grok" in its original sense for decades. Ocelot II Friday #29

I was an avid Sci-fi reader in my twenties Mossfern Friday #33

Huge Heinlein fan. Although his political leanings were obvious in his fiction early on The Moon is a Harsh Mistress etc Noodleboy13 Friday #36

The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress was 1966; pretty much the midpoint of his career. rsdsharp Friday #68

My exposure to Heinlein is all through XMas gifts from my uncle. Who was head of polisci at creighton in omaha. Noodleboy13 Friday #70

Heinlein's juvenile novels were always timed for the Christmas trade. rsdsharp Friday #71

But the movie was freaking awesome!!!!! Noodleboy13 Saturday #72

I knew that Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Friday #41

Well then, thank you for teaching me today irisblue Friday #43

Heinlein's political views tended to track those of his wives. rsdsharp Friday #44

I have a relative who's changed political views based on her husbands' views. Always struck me as highplainsdem Friday #48

Musk has referenced other SF writers as well, and IMO never really understood them. highplainsdem Friday #46

It was Heinlein's second sexual adolescence Warpy Friday #49

Heinlein... Godot51 Friday #50

I'm currently reading Mossfern Friday #65

I knew it s Linux command Earl_from_PA Friday #56

Thank you! GAJMac Friday #60

I loved Stranger in a Strange Land LetMyPeopleVote Friday #67