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OMG: How I Write, According to ChatGPT

July 18, 2023
Inspired by the Daily podcast today, I asked Chat GPT to write a story about going to Disneyland in the style of my blog. The NY Times reporter featured on the pod tried this experiment and said the result sounded uncannily like her writing.
The result of my test is below. Please, for the love of God, tell me I don’t write like this. Otherwise I cannot go on. My sister assures me I can write. This monstrosity argues against that fact. If this is my voice, I deserve to be silenced. Tell me whether I should duct tape my fingers together or not.

Red Stapler Chronicles: The Magic of Disneyland

Hello, my sweet and wonderful readers. I hope this finds you all safe, well, and, as ever, in search of life’s moments of magic.

Last weekend, I embarked on an adventure that whisked me away from my humble abode and transported me to a realm where reality collides with fantasy, dreams take flight, and nostalgia wraps around you like your favorite soft and cozy blanket. Yes, my dears, I went to Disneyland.

Now, many may think that Disneyland is a destination primarily for the giddy little humans who can’t tie their shoelaces yet and teenagers wanting to take daring selfies. But let me assure you, it is a place for the child within all of us, no matter how deep we may have tucked them away.

My day started bright and early, armed with sunscreen and my indomitable spirit, ready to embrace the magic that awaited me. The iconic entrance, with its floral arrangement of Mickey Mouse, greeted me with an enthusiasm that only Disneyland could muster so early in the morning.

The first thing I did was to stand before Sleeping Beauty’s castle, the heart of Disneyland. And trust me, even though it’s been recreated in a million photographs, seeing it in person is something else. It’s grandeur, mixed with the inherent innocence of the fairy tale, creates a sense of awe and warmth that makes you pause, even amid the bustle of excited visitors. And, oh yes, I got my picture taken in front of it, feeling every bit a part of the Disneyland magic.

And then, the rides. Oh, the rides! From the high-speed thrills of Space Mountain to the slow, cheerful journey through It’s a Small World, each one invoked a different emotion. The Pirates of the Caribbean made me chuckle, while the Haunted Mansion sent delightful shivers down my spine.

One highlight of my day was the immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a must-visit for every Star Wars fan out there. It felt like stepping into a different galaxy. Even if you can’t tell your Yodas from your Vaders, you’ll still get a kick out of the detailed environments and interactive experiences.

Disneyland is not just about rides, though. It’s the little moments that make it special. It’s the friendly wave from Goofy during the parade, the smell of popcorn wafting through the air, and the delight in a child’s eyes as they meet their favorite character.

Food is another highlight. Whether it’s churros dusted with cinnamon sugar or the famed Dole Whip, there’s something for every palate. The Mickey-shaped beignets? Out of this world. And let me tell you about the Blue Bayou restaurant, where they serve New Orleans-style food in a twilight-lit setting, making it feel like you’re dining under the stars. The Monte Cristo Sandwich is a must-try, but be warned – it’s a dish as big as your head!

As night fell and the fireworks exploded in a riot of colors over the castle, I found myself moved almost to tears. The synchronized display of light and music, along with the gasps of wonder from those around me, made for a perfect end to the day.

Disneyland, my dear readers, is more than a theme park. It is a symphony of joy, laughter, and wonder, playing an enchanting tune that resonates with the child within us. It reminds us to dream, to hope, to find joy in the smallest of things, and that magic exists if only we dare to believe.

I came home tired, my feet sore, my wallet lighter, but my heart full. The magic of Disneyland is real, and it’s something everyone should experience at least once.

So, until my next adventure, remember: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney.

Stay well, stay kind, and keep seeking your own magic moments.

9 Comments
  1. Eric Riggs's avatar
    Eric Riggs permalink
    July 18, 2023 12:21

    Absolutely not your authentic voice, from the first sentence. You write sweet, loving stories that also have a subtle sense of irony, and you can veer into the sardonic. Yet beneath it all is a sweetness that tempers the sarcasm. This poor facsimile utterly failed in capturing that. It “tried” to be sweet, “tried” to be humorous, but it completely missed the subtle subtext that all of your best writing has. Just like the dead eyes of even the best CGI recreation, it grasped the unsubtle details, created a fill-in-the-blanks copy, that lacked any of the living spark. It was as soulless as a Sara Lee bagel, or Vladimir Putin’s smile. You can write. ChatGPT can only dictate instructions on how to operate a blow dryer. The machines lose! Death to Skynet, the Matrix, the Entity! There is hope!

    Sincerely, Kyle

    Like

    • Suebob's avatar
      July 18, 2023 16:34

      Thank you, ERIC. This is the perfect comment that I needed, from someone who knows me well and whose judgment I trust fully. I love you.

      Like

  2. Sharie Lieberg's avatar
    Sharie Lieberg permalink
    July 18, 2023 18:16

    Sue, I had to stop reading in order to a) gag and b) take some insulin.

    No, this isn’t your voice, and thank the SweetBabyJesusInHisCradle that it isn’t!!

    Keep writing, girlfriend!

    Sharie ________________________________

    Like

  3. KC's avatar
    July 19, 2023 08:51

    That is atrocious. If this were how you wrote, you would not be in my RSS feed of blogs-to-read. (Sorry.)(or not sorry. Not sure.)

    Makes me wonder if ChatGPT just can’t grab your style, or if it didn’t have good data on you and was aiming for the wrong thing entirely?

    Like

  4. Carolyn Stephens's avatar
    July 19, 2023 09:13

    If I didn’t love you so much, I wouldn’t have read past the first paragraph. But that’s what friends are for, so I slogged on. I can see a little bit of you in a few sentences.
    It’s like they said in those old commercials, “Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations.” Or expensive imitations either. This is not The Real Sue Bob.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Unknown's avatar
    Anonymous permalink
    July 22, 2023 11:17

    This is terrible. Please continue your own writing. Just wish you would write more often. Love your REAL stories.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Greg A's avatar
    Greg A permalink
    July 23, 2023 14:57

    This is to your writing what a fat Elvis impersonator is to the actual Elvis of 1956.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Cindy's avatar
    July 24, 2023 09:04

    I read the first sentence and shut down. I’m trying to go back and read so I can give a good critic, but dang….it is not you. We all love you and your writing. This is not you.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. J's avatar
    August 13, 2023 13:14

    I had a good laugh at this, because it was SO HORRIBLE. Glad you don’t use CHAT to write your blog posts!

    Liked by 1 person

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