By way of explanation if you missed the initial post about Firework Thoughts: Every day, as I drive past a certain landmark on State Highway 50—a fireworks warehouse, no less—I take a moment to record a brief message to myself. This isn't your typical diary entry or a structured brainstorming session. Instead, it's a raw, unfiltered snapshot of whatever happens to be on my mind at that moment, no matter how trivial, mundane or fleeting the thought may seem.
But the “magic” happens here: these recorded snippets, dubbed "Firework Thoughts," are not left to gather digital dust in my phone's memory. Instead, I unleash them into the wilds of artificial intelligence, letting an AI companion polish these fractions of thoughts into something unexpectedly amusing. It's a process that transforms everyday observations into bursts of creativity, much like the fireworks that inspired this practice.
Here’s an example of how it works. This is what I recorded as I drove by:
One aspect of making this lengthy drive several times a week is you do get treated to a view of what I like to call nature’s buffet—where a poor creature who took the wrong step into the wrong lane paid the ultimate price. Then, you watch their carcass be slowly devoured by predators, scavengers, and the elements over a period of weeks.
Here’s how the AI interpreted it:
As I undertake the lengthy drive that has become a part of my routine several times a week, I am presented with a scene that I’ve come to think of as nature’s buffet. It is a stark reminder of the fine line between life and death in the animal kingdom. On these journeys, I witness the aftermath of wildlife that has met an untimely end on the road. Over the course of weeks, I observe as their remains are gradually reclaimed by scavengers, predators, and the relentless forces of nature. It’s a poignant and relentless cycle that unfolds before my eyes.
Photo © 2024 Alex Greenwood. All rights reserved.
I don’t know why, but I find the AI changes odd and frequently pretty amusing.
AI starches out almost all of the writing which makes it unique to me. It takes a monologue away from a leading character and relegates it to the chorus.
What do you think? I think one thing I need to do is to post the original thought, and then the AI version for contrast to make it more entertaining. Any thoughts?