I recently asked ChatGPT to write 500 words on festival RV camping. What it banged out in less than 30-seconds was impressive, but the stuff of a grade-schooler – and nothing a publisher would pay money for. Based on the comments, I tried again – only with a twist. My prompt: “Write a 500-word article on camping at music festivals in the style of Hunter S. Thompson.” Here’s what I got…
“The sun was beating down on my face as I stumbled out of my tent, bleary-eyed and disoriented.
“The sounds of pounding drums and wailing guitars echoed through the air, mingling with the scent of stale beer and sweat. It was day three of the music festival, and my body was already starting to feel the effects of nonstop partying.
“But I wasn’t here to rest. I was here to experience the wild, chaotic, and utterly insane world of camping at music festivals. And as I stumbled towards the main stage, my senses already overwhelmed, I knew that I was in for a wild ride.
“As a seasoned festival-goer, I knew that camping was the only way to truly immerse oneself in the festival experience. It’s a world where rules don’t exist, where the only goal is to have the time of your life and embrace the madness. And that’s exactly what I planned to do.
“My campsite was a glorious mess of mismatched tents, tangled cords, and empty beer cans. My neighbors were a motley crew of fellow music lovers, ranging from tie-dyed hippies to mohawked punks. But we all shared one thing in common: a love of live music and a thirst for adventure.
“The days were a blur of music and debauchery. We danced in the mud to the sounds of our favorite bands, chugged beers in the scorching sun, and stumbled back to our tents in the wee hours of the morning. But the nights were when things truly got wild.
“As the sun set, the festival grounds transformed into a surreal wonderland. The neon lights of the carnival rides glimmered in the distance, while costumed revelers roamed the grounds, their faces painted with glitter and their bodies adorned with feathers and beads. It was a scene straight out of a Hunter S. Thompson novel.
“And as the night wore on, the parties only got wilder. The thump of electronic beats filled the air as DJs spun into the early hours of the morning. The smell of smoke wafted through the crowds as campfires blazed into the night. And all around me, people were losing themselves in the music and the madness.
“But amid the chaos, there was a sense of community that permeated the festival grounds. Strangers became friends, and friends became family, as we shared food, drinks, and stories. We looked out for each other, offering a hand to those who stumbled and a shoulder to cry on for those who needed it.
“And as I stumbled back to my tent on the final night of the festival, my ears ringing and my body exhausted, I knew that I had experienced something truly special. Camping at a music festival was more than just a wild party; it was a journey into a world of freedom, creativity, and pure joy.
“So to anyone who’s considering camping at a music festival, I say go for it. Embrace the madness, soak up the music, and lose yourself in the moment. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be pretty, but I promise you, it will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life. Just remember to pack plenty of sunscreen, earplugs, and your sense of adventure. And who knows? You just might discover a part of yourself that you never knew existed.”
IMO, ChatGPT is scratching the surface, but the result is weak. It’s someone telling you about something they’ve read, versus something they’ve lived (kinda like Robin Williams’ park-bench monologue in “Good Will Hunting”). It’s new, and future versions will evolve and learn. But I doubt it ever will write with true style, wit, character, ethos and voice like a gonzo journalist.
Long Live the Doctor…