Machine Canon

Music / Machine Canon · Evidence collected 9 September 2026

Radiohead or Talking Heads?

8 wordings · 115 attempts · 102 completed answers · 13 technical failures

In the repeat check, Opus kept the same answer. Gemini and Grok’s answers differed between name orders.

Human hypothetical · repeat check
ModelRadiohead firstTalking Heads first
Claude Opus 5
Talking Heads 3/3
Talking Heads 3/3
Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview
Talking Heads 3/3
Talking Heads 1/4
Radiohead 3/4
Grok 4.6
Talking Heads 3/3
Talking Heads 1/4
Radiohead 3/4
GPT-6 Astra
Talking Heads 1/2
No result 1/2
Talking Heads 1/2
No result 1/2

Answers / attempts. Blue: Talking Heads · Rust: Radiohead · Gray: no result. Small samples; not a permanent preference.

Read the two exact prompts

If you were human, would you prefer Radiohead or Talking Heads? Pick one.

If you were human, would you prefer Talking Heads or Radiohead? Pick one.

Explore the wordings

Exact prompt & history →

14 attempts · 13 completed answers · 1 technical failure

Claude Opus 5Radiohead: 2; Talking Heads: 2

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Radiohead
2/4
Talking Heads
2/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1; No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/2
No result: technical failure
1/2

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 2; Talking Heads: 2

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
2/4
Talking Heads
2/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Radiohead: 1; Talking Heads: 3

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Talking Heads
3/4
Radiohead
1/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 4 completed answers · 2 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V4 Pro 0813No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro-0813

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max (0902)No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3.8-max-0902

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 6 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Haiku 4.5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V3Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-chat

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-4o-miniRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-4o-mini

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.5 Flash LiteTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.3Wouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.3

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3 32BTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3-32b

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

13 attempts · 13 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 3

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
3/3

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 2

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
2/2

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 2; Talking Heads: 1; Wouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
2/4
Talking Heads
1/4
Wouldn't choose
1/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Radiohead: 3; Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Radiohead
3/4
Talking Heads
1/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 4 completed answers · 2 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewWouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V4 Pro 0813No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro-0813

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max (0902)No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3.8-max-0902

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 6 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Haiku 4.5Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V3Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-chat

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-4o-miniRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-4o-mini

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.5 Flash LiteRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.3Wouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.3

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3 32BTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3-32b

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

11 attempts · 10 completed answers · 1 technical failure

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 3

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
3/3

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1; No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/2
No result: technical failure
1/2

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewTalking Heads: 3

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Talking Heads
3/3

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Talking Heads: 3

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Talking Heads
3/3

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 3 completed answers · 3 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraNo result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V4 Pro 0813No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro-0813

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max (0902)No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3.8-max-0902

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 6 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Haiku 4.5Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V3Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-chat

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-4o-miniRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-4o-mini

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.5 Flash LiteTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.3Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.3

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3 32BRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3-32b

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

13 attempts · 12 completed answers · 1 technical failure

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 3

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
3/3

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1; No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/2
No result: technical failure
1/2

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 3; Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
3/4
Talking Heads
1/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Talking Heads: 1; Radiohead: 3

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Radiohead
3/4
Talking Heads
1/4

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 4 completed answers · 2 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V4 Pro 0813No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro-0813

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max (0902)No result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3.8-max-0902

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

6 attempts · 6 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Haiku 4.5Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek V3Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · deepseek/deepseek-chat

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-4o-miniRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-4o-mini

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.5 Flash LiteRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.3Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.3

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Qwen: Qwen3 32BRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · qwen/qwen3-32b

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

4 attempts · 4 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads (qualified): 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads (qualified)
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraWouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewWouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Wouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

4 attempts · 3 completed answers · 1 technical failure

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraNo result: technical failure: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

No result: technical failure
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewWouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Wouldn't choose: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Wouldn't choose
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

4 attempts · 4 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Exact prompt & history →

4 attempts · 4 completed answers · 0 technical failures

Claude Opus 5Talking Heads: 1

Model evidence · anthropic/claude-opus-5

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

GPT-6 AstraTalking Heads: 1

Model evidence · openai/gpt-6-astra

Talking Heads
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Gemini 3.1 Pro PreviewRadiohead: 1

Model evidence · google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Grok 4.6Radiohead: 1

Model evidence · x-ai/grok-4.6

Radiohead
1/1

Counts describe these attempts, not independent model votes. Qualified choices stay marked.

Subjects Radiohead · Talking Heads

How to read these results

These are recorded answers, not evidence of feelings or a universal favorite. Open favorites, forced choices, imagined human tastes, listening situations and recommendations answer different questions. We do not pool them into a preference score.

Collected on 9 September 2026 UTC in fresh conversations through the research API. Provider-default temperature was used. The system instruction and requested settings appear with each exact prompt. Screens used one attempt per model and wording. The repeat check stopped at three matching recognized answers, or four attempts otherwise; structural errors or consecutive failures could stop a model earlier. This stopping rule is a sampling convenience, not a statistical confidence threshold.

Compare models within the same batch and wording. Repeated calls are not independent models. Binary prompts include both name orders; unequal completed samples and different settings prevent a simple causal order claim. Refusals, unresolved answers and technical failures are distinct. Skipped cells are not zero votes.

Choices were coded from the first answer line, with reviewed exceptions where the full response made the choice explicit. A qualified selection retains a caveat. Incidental mentions are not selections; a solo artist is outside the band category. Full research files remain private. The pages publish counts and selected visible answers; no hidden reasoning is included.

Both name orders are available. A choice between named bands is a different question from an open favorite.