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MineralMan

(149,536 posts) Fri Jul 18, 2025, 02:21 PM Jul 18

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 Jul 18 OP

Ok, I got ForgedCrank Jul 18 #1

I did not enjoy that story, had to slog through it. Swede Jul 18 #2

A lot of his stuff was complicated and erratic. MineralMan Jul 18 #6

In my opinion, he wrote two stories in his career. nilram Jul 18 #23

I'd guess it was assigned reading. I was at the U in the mid 60s. A lot of profs thought Heinlein erronis Jul 18 #28

That's Vonnegut Orrex Jul 18 #37

Of course. Glad you noticed. erronis Jul 18 #39

I figured you knew, but I couldn't resist geeking out Orrex Jul 18 #51

Heinlein became libertarian, even if he still had some compassion. The Wikipedia article has a section muriel_volestrangler Jul 18 #3

I didn't get into Heinlein's personality or politics at all. MineralMan Jul 18 #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 Jul 18 #9

I recommend this thread :) Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #5

everyone should read Stranger in a Strange Land at least once, IMHO eShirl Jul 18 #7

Thumbnail avatars aside genxlib Jul 18 #10

I was an avid reader of "hard" science fiction in the 50s and 60s. MineralMan Jul 18 #12

What was so wonderful about Asimov is that he wrote a wide variety of topics both in fiction and nonfiction. HeartsCanHope Jul 18 #20

Yes. He was one of the most prolific non-fiction writers ever. MineralMan Jul 18 #21

My background is in library science. Asimov was able to reach his readers at their level. HeartsCanHope Jul 18 #26

I think what you're describing is the difference between science fiction, and science fantasy. erronis Jul 18 #31

I think I'd describe science fiction as Emrys Jul 18 #54

I like your viewpoint. And as you said, it depends on where we are in our intellectual development. erronis Jul 18 #61

Pure fantasy writing has never been a major interest of mine Emrys Jul 18 #64

The "Golden Age of Science-Fiction"... GJGCA Jul 18 #35

That's usually attributed to H.L. Gold. highplainsdem Jul 18 #62

despite the book disappearing from my library slightlv Jul 18 #58

I hated that book genxlib Jul 18 #8

An acquired taste, I guess. MineralMan Jul 18 #13

I rate it in the middle part of his works, above average. But he has lots better. Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #14

That sounds about right. I had scifi writers I liked a lot better than Heinlein. MineralMan Jul 18 #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 Jul 18 #30

Not a surprise that you would think so professor FBaggins Jul 18 #40

Thank you. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #42

...and, Grok is powered by the largest AI supercomputer in the world, Colossus. LudwigPastorius Jul 18 #11

Yes, indeed. MineralMan Jul 18 #15

Have they said which Colossus they named it after? muriel_volestrangler Jul 18 #34

There were buttons that said "I grok Spock" back in the day Maeve Jul 18 #16

Yes, I remember that. The word sort of dropped out of use, though, MineralMan Jul 18 #17

For a libertarian Musk has certainly sucked up a lot of taxpayer dollars. hunter Jul 18 #47

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

Musk has a childish (in good and bad senses) fascination with the Red Planet Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #19

Your use of the word "gripping" made me think of MineralMan Jul 18 #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 Jul 18 #32

I'm not surprised. MineralMan Jul 18 #38

Jerry didn't handle political arguments well. highplainsdem Jul 18 #45

No. I never talked politics with him. MineralMan Jul 18 #52

My previous post was a statement, not a question. highplainsdem Jul 18 #53

A lot of people saw him as a laughing stock. MineralMan Jul 18 #55

He was very intelligent and could be very nice and helpful. But he tended to be wrong on politics, highplainsdem Jul 18 #57

Sounds like you knew him better MineralMan Jul 18 #63

Neither eLoon nor tRump have the ability to Grok anything. flashman13 Jul 18 #24

"Uncensored version"? Do tell -- I read the first paperback as a teenager mid-60s. What's the history? Hekate Jul 18 #59

There are some Heinlein books and stories that he toned down for publication. rsdsharp Jul 18 #66

Ahh. Thank you. Hekate Jul 18 #69

You mean "MechaHitler?" Karasu Jul 18 #27

I've used "grok" in its original sense for decades. Ocelot II Jul 18 #29

I was an avid Sci-fi reader in my twenties Mossfern Jul 18 #33

Huge Heinlein fan. Although his political leanings were obvious in his fiction early on The Moon is a Harsh Mistress etc Noodleboy13 Jul 18 #36

The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress was 1966; pretty much the midpoint of his career. rsdsharp Jul 18 #68

My exposure to Heinlein is all through XMas gifts from my uncle. Who was head of polisci at creighton in omaha. Noodleboy13 Jul 18 #70

Heinlein's juvenile novels were always timed for the Christmas trade. rsdsharp Jul 18 #71

But the movie was freaking awesome!!!!! Noodleboy13 Jul 19 #72

I knew that Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jul 18 #41

Well then, thank you for teaching me today irisblue Jul 18 #43

Heinlein's political views tended to track those of his wives. rsdsharp Jul 18 #44

I have a relative who's changed political views based on her husbands' views. Always struck me as highplainsdem Jul 18 #48

Musk has referenced other SF writers as well, and IMO never really understood them. highplainsdem Jul 18 #46

It was Heinlein's second sexual adolescence Warpy Jul 18 #49

Heinlein... Godot51 Jul 18 #50

I'm currently reading Mossfern Jul 18 #65

I knew it s Linux command Earl_from_PA Jul 18 #56

Thank you! GAJMac Jul 18 #60

I loved Stranger in a Strange Land LetMyPeopleVote Jul 18 #67