I went to today’s State of the Word presentation in person (woohoo, so nice to attend in-person events once again!) and one question was about the dreaded “build-to-launch gap” where you build a website for a client and then it takes them months to post anything into the beautiful container you built for them.
There was some suggestion of using ChatGPT to automatically generate content to fill the gaps. While it’s debatable that a boring prompt will lead to boring text, there is some use in using tools such as ChatGTP to automatically write website copy, the output of prompt with just a little bit of flair can be quite inspirations.
While sitting there listening to the question and answer, I fired up ChatGPT and had the AI write something before my eyes. I unfortunately have only a screenshot of the first attempt which I showed to the amazement of the person sitting next to me as we saw the thing get typed up in real time.
Just to try and re-create the scene so you could see how quickly it worked, I did it two more times. The first time it changed gears with the same prompt and wrote a sonnet about why you need to change your oil.
The Prompt: Write a blog post about how important it is to change your oil every 3000 miles in the style of William Shakespeare
Lend me your ears, fair readers, for I come bearing news of utmost importance. ‘Tis a tale of lubrication and maintenance, of the crucial role played by a humble substance in the wellbeing of your trusty steed.
I speak, of course, of oil – that most vital of fluids, without which the inner workings of your car would grind to a halt and your journeys would come to a swift and unfortunate end. And yet, despite its importance, it is a substance too often ignored and neglected.
Forsooth, I implore you – do not make the mistake of believing that oil needs changing only when your car begins to show signs of distress. Nay, ’tis a task that must be performed regularly, with the utmost diligence and care. The recommended interval, you ask? Why, every 3000 miles, without fail.
Some may claim that this is an unnecessary expense, or that modern cars require less frequent oil changes. But I say unto you – the cost of a simple oil change pales in comparison to the expense of repairing the damage caused by neglecting this vital task.
Think of it thus: the oil in your car is like the lifeblood that courses through the veins of a living being. It keeps all of the moving parts functioning smoothly, preventing friction and wear. Over time, however, this oil becomes contaminated and degraded, losing its ability to do its job effectively.
When this happens, the various components of your car are left to fend for themselves, rubbing and grinding against one another with no protective barrier. The result? Reduced performance, decreased fuel efficiency, and a heightened risk of costly and inconvenient breakdowns.
But fear not, dear reader, for all is not lost. By changing your oil every 3000 miles, you can ensure that your car is always running at its best. It may seem like a small and insignificant task, but trust me when I say that it can make all the difference.
So take heed, and do not neglect this most essential of maintenance tasks. Your car will thank you, and you can rest easy knowing that you have done all that you can to keep it running smoothly.
Related: I live-blogged this year’s State of the Word on my old tumblr account just for giggles
When I write a blog post I make heavy use of the tabs in my browser so that I can switch back and forth between the blog compose screen and other screens where I do my research. I usually have my