Which was Bryce and Which was BryceGPT? Round Three Answers

Look at this! I finally have time to report back on the third round of my “who wrote it” contest. The last post was focused on Trump nicknames, and this time, I wrote one version, and I had BryceGPT write the other. Only a few people voted, because I guess people are scared of getting it wrong? But the final tally was 3 votes for the first post, and 1 vote for the second.

I wrote the first, so the majority got it right again. However, as one friend pointed out, the AI post was almost perfectly passable. If I were turning to AI and then going back and tweaking it a little here and a little there? I don’t think people would be able to tell the difference. Here’s the prompt I used this time:

BEGIN PROMPT

Write a humorous, critical blog post (around 500 words long) about Donald Trump’s propensity to assign nicknames to people he doesn’t like, inspired by his decision this morning to dub Kamala Harris “Lyin’ Kamala” as soon as Biden dropped out of the race and Harris seemed to be the next candidate. Include a list of them, and then be tongue-in-cheek as you analyze why he thinks this is a good idea, strongly implying that it’s actually childish and inane. Keep the writing snappy. Invite readers to come up with their own Trump nickname for themselves, and list what my (negative) nickname might be. Make sure they use -in’ endings for at least some of them. Don’t use section headings.

END PROMPT

In full disclosure, this was the 7th version of the prompt I tried, as I kept refining it to get me more of what I wanted. And this was the fourth “attempt” I had BryceGPT make at that prompt. The first three just didn’t feel quite right to me. This was the best one. But again, I really don’t think that’s to be held against it too much. If you’re using GPT, you’re better served really working at that prompt, and anyone can do that.

How big of an impact is BryceGPT having? What would it read like with the standard, out-of-the-box ChatGPT? Here’s the response generated by 4o:

START

In the ever-spinning carousel of political theater, Donald Trump has once again demonstrated his flair for the absurd by bestowing a fresh nickname upon Kamala Harris: “Lyin’ Kamala.” This latest moniker comes hot on the heels of Joe Biden’s unexpected exit from the presidential race, positioning Harris as the frontrunner and thereby the newest target of Trump’s peculiar brand of name-calling.

Now, we must admit, Trump’s knack for slapping nicknames on his adversaries is nothing short of prolific. His greatest hits include “Crooked Hillary,” “Sleepy Joe,” “Little Marco,” “Lyin’ Ted,” and “Crazy Bernie.” It’s almost as if he’s running a twisted kindergarten roll call rather than a political campaign. While these nicknames might evoke a chuckle or two, one can’t help but wonder if Trump believes he’s harnessing the rhetorical skills of Shakespearean caliber. Spoiler alert: he’s not.

What’s the deal with these nicknames anyway? Is it a brilliant strategic maneuver to diminish his opponents in the eyes of the public? Or is it merely the manifestation of a schoolyard bully’s mentality, refined over decades of unchecked egotism and reality TV showmanship? Let’s lean toward the latter, shall we?

For Trump, nicknaming seems to serve multiple purposes. First, it simplifies complex political personas into easily digestible caricatures. After all, who has time to delve into policy nuances when “Lyin’ Ted” and “Pocahontas” can do all the heavy lifting? It’s a verbal fast food, offering instant, if not hollow, gratification.

Second, it plays to his base’s penchant for plain-speaking and anti-elitism. In a world where political correctness can sometimes feel suffocating, there’s a certain allure in someone who throws caution and decorum to the wind. Yet, while Trump’s supporters may find his nicknames refreshingly direct, the rest of us are left cringing at the sheer juvenility of it all.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, it deflects from Trump’s own flaws. By highlighting supposed deficiencies in others, he distracts from his own litany of shortcomings. It’s classic misdirection, like a magician drawing your attention to his left hand while his right hand stuffs the rabbit into the hat.

Yet, let’s not give Trump too much credit here. Despite the veneer of strategy, these nicknames often come across as the desperate flailings of someone who never quite graduated from the playground. It’s political dialogue distilled to its basest form, where insults replace insights and mockery trumps (pun intended) meaningful debate.

Now, dear readers, I challenge you to engage in this farcical tradition. What would your Trump nickname be? Remember, the rules are simple: keep it derogatory and, when possible, end it with an -in’. Here are some starter ideas:

For the tech-averse among you: “Tech-phob-in’ Tammy” For those who can’t stop taking selfies: “Selfie-addictin’ Sam” For the bookworms: “Book-readin’ Becky”

As for what my nickname might be? Let’s see… how about “Overthinkin’ Oracle?” Not bad, right? Though I’m sure Trump himself could come up with something even more puerile.

So, step right up and join the game. Create your own Trump nickname and revel in the sheer absurdity of it all. After all, if we can’t laugh at the ridiculousness of our political landscape, what’s left but to cry?

END

I may be biased, but I think that one’s significantly worse. It’s got some stabs at humor, but it doesn’t have much life to the prose, and its word choice is really wonky at times.

In any case, I’m not done with this yet. Stay tuned as the saga continues to unfold . . .