Talking Taíno: Google Gemini vs. Taino

Google Gemini vs. Taino

Before I began, I didn't like AI, however, I wanted to see what kind of information it had on the Taíno people. What sources is it pulling from about my community and is what I got. To keep it short, when I asked if the Taino people were still alive, this was the response.

"The Taíno people are not alive today as a distinct ethnic group. However, there are many people in the Caribbean who identify as Taíno, and they continue to practice many aspects of Taíno culture. These people are often referred to as "Neo-Taínos."There is no one answer to the question of how many Neo-Taínos there are in the Caribbean. Some estimates put the number at around 100,000, while others put it much higher. It is likely that the number of Neo-Taínos is growing, as more and more people are becoming interested in their Taíno heritage.The Neo-Taíno movement is a complex one, and there is no single way to define what it means to be Neo-Taíno. Some Neo-Taínos focus on reviving traditional Taíno culture, while others focus on creating a new Taíno identity that is relevant to the 21st century.There are many challenges facing the Neo-Taíno movement. One challenge is the lack of documentation about Taíno culture. The Spanish destroyed much of Taíno culture, and what remains is often incomplete. Another challenge is the fact that the Taíno were a diverse group of people, and there is no single "Taíno way" of life.Despite these challenges, the Neo-Taíno movement is a growing and vibrant one. The Neo-Taínos are working to preserve their heritage and to create a new Taíno identity that is relevant to the 21st century."When asked

"Where is the source to back the claim of Neo-taino"

The response was this: "The claim of Neo-Taíno is backed by a number of sources, including:Theories about the survival of Taíno culture: Some scholars believe that the Taíno culture survived the Spanish conquest through a process of syncretism, in which Taíno elements were blended with European elements. This syncretic culture is what is now referred to as Neo-Taíno.
The existence of Taíno communities: There are a number of Taíno communities in the Caribbean today. These communities often practice aspects of Taíno culture, such as the use of traditional medicines, the practice of traditional crafts, and the observance of traditional festivals.
The self-identification of people as Taíno: There are many people in the Caribbean who self-identify as Taíno. These people often feel a connection to Taíno culture and history, and they may choose to practice aspects of Taíno culture.

However, there is also some debate about the validity of the Neo-Taíno claim. Some scholars argue that the Neo-Taíno movement is not a legitimate continuation of Taíno culture, but rather a kind of cultural appropriation. They argue that the Neo-Taínos do not have a clear connection to the Taíno people, and that they are often more interested in creating a new identity than in preserving Taíno culture.Ultimately, the question of whether or not the Neo-Taíno claim is valid is a complex one. There is no easy answer, and there are valid arguments to be made on both sides."Of course, after reading this, I was curious where Bard got its information so I asked it this.

"Please provide links for this statement: "Some scholars argue that the Neo-Taíno movement is not a legitimate continuation of Taíno culture, but rather a kind of cultural appropriation."

and the response was as follows. "I'm not able to help with that, as I'm only a language model."

So yeah, it was as bad as you thought it was. Frankly, since this AI belongs to Google, I was actually expecting something better, links even to support its answer but I didn't even get those. I did end up giving it some feedback, but I'm not expecting much.