The Power of AI

I am starting to view ChatGPT as my writing buddy. Oh, it won't run off with my voice. And I've got Grammarly to remind me to watch for Grammar's speed traps. I find that ChatGPT is handy for me to paste a long article so that it may summarize it for me and also be able to answer any further questions I might have. That's just sci-fi stuff to me!

I decided to go through my LONGEST posts for each year with this prompt: "Write a succinct summary."

2023: The Christian Homeschooling Dad vs. the 'I'm a Man, I'm 40!' Culture

The article discusses the challenges faced by a Christian homeschooling father in the American South who chooses to stay at home while his wife works. The father is confronted with cultural expectations and questions about his masculinity and leadership. He reflects on his personal growth as a man and challenges the notion that leadership is solely tied to making money. The article emphasizes the importance of serving and loving God and others over pursuing wealth and societal definitions of success. The father finds peace in his decision to homeschool his children and prioritizes their education and spiritual growth over traditional career pursuits.

2022: The Ugly Mug and the (Bacon) Gate

The author discusses their transition from using various website platforms to settling on a static setup. They share their experience installing Jekyll on their MacBook and reflect on their past memories associated with a specific album. The article ends with nostalgic thoughts about a coffee shop called Ugly Mug and its significance in their life.

2021: Joy...And Wonders of His Love

The author reflects on a Bible verse from Zephaniah that emphasizes God's joy and love for His people. The article delves into the author's excitement about the prospect of eternal life, meeting biblical figures, and exploring the restored and glorious universe. They express gratitude for God's grace and redemption, acknowledging their sinfulness and dependence on God's infinite mercy. The article ends with a question about what an infinite being like God would sing.

2020: Blade Runner - End Titles

The text reflects on the author's thoughts and experiences with the evolution of the internet from the early days of limited connectivity to the highly centralized and data-driven platform of the present. It contemplates the profound impact of the internet on personal identity and questions whether individuals have become mere data points within the system. The author wonders if technology has enriched lives or led to a sense of emptiness. Throughout the text, various cultural and literary references are used to illustrate the internet's increasing influence on daily activities and decision-making. The author also contemplates the potential future of virtual avatars and their ability to replace human interactions and preferences. Overall, the text encourages contemplation about the role and consequences of the internet in modern society.

2018: My Conversion Story

The text is a personal conversion story, narrating the author's journey from a religious upbringing in the Church of Christ with works-based theology to embracing the doctrines of grace and a deeper relationship with God. The author reflects on their college years of spiritual confusion and partying, followed by a transformative experience at a Christian coffeehouse. This encounter led to a period of significant growth, involvement in church activities, and a sense of purpose. Despite occasional struggles and setbacks, the author finds freedom and joy in their faith, no longer doubting their salvation but relying on God's grace and imputed righteousness through faith in Christ.

2017: Someday, I'll Be Saturday Night

The text explores the question of "what should I do with my life?" and reflects on the author's journey of seeking purpose and fulfillment. The author emphasizes the importance of sanctification, the process of becoming holy and set apart, as the ultimate goal in life. They highlight the need for personal effort and active engagement in this process, seeking to put away earthly desires and aligning their minds with heavenly things. The text draws insights from biblical passages, emphasizing the pursuit of holiness and a life guided by love, compassion, and gratitude.

2013: The Gambler

The author reflects on their recent academic journey, pursuing degrees and certifications in teaching and linguistics. They had ambitious dreams of making a difference through research but realized that the academic path might not fulfill their family's needs. Despite the uncertainty, they decided to take a risk and venture into the unknown.

2004: The Fruit of Fasting

The author reflects on their journey of personal growth and self-discovery. They talk about their experience with fasting, setting ambitious goals, and embarking on a significant European journey. They also mention their pursuit of a focused life by removing distractions and embracing new challenges, including cooking. Overall, the author is optimistic and excited about the future.

2003: The Catalyst

The narrator reflects on their experiences at a Christian conference called "The Catalyst." They share their struggle with the concept of success and happiness, realizing that worldly achievements don't bring true fulfillment. The conference features various speakers who inspire and challenge the attendees. The narrator opens up about their personal struggles with leadership and self-doubt but eventually feels a sense of clarity and purpose. They also encounter challenging situations and show love and compassion to others. The conference concludes with a time of worship and reflection.

2002: Bill's 1500+ Mile Weekend

Bill embarks on a 1500+ mile journey to reconnect with his past love, Lisa, after feeling a renewed desire for her. The emotional trip takes him through memories of their time together and moments of introspection. Despite facing challenges and the realization that their paths have diverged, the journey brings closure and a new era in Bill's life.

The Wrapup and What It Implicates

What do I write about on this site? According to ChatGPT's succinctly summarizing its summaries of my words, it is this:

The collection of articles spans various years and themes. It includes reflections on personal growth, challenges, and decisions, embracing faith, seeking purpose, and questioning societal expectations. The narratives cover topics such as homeschooling, website setup, God's love, the internet's impact, conversion experiences, academic pursuits, fasting, Christian conferences, and emotional journeys of closure and new beginnings. Each article provides unique insights into the authors' lives and journeys, emphasizing faith, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment.

Isn't it curious there's nary a fitness reference? What is my passion?

I gave one last prompt: "List three male characters from all of cinema that would best be described by this summary."

1. Frodo Baggins from "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy - Frodo's journey spans across various years and themes, as he faces personal growth, challenges, and life-altering decisions while carrying the burden of the One Ring. He often questions societal expectations and grapples with his purpose in the face of great evil. Frodo's story involves moments of faith, self-discovery, and seeking fulfillment as he embarks on a quest that will shape the fate of Middle-earth.

2. Chris Gardner from "The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006) - Based on a true story, Chris Gardner's life is a testament to personal growth, overcoming challenges, and making difficult decisions. He embraces faith in himself and in his dream of becoming a stockbroker. Despite facing homelessness and financial struggles, Chris persists in seeking purpose and a better life for himself and his son. His journey reflects themes of self-discovery, the pursuit of meaning, and finding fulfillment in the face of adversity.

3. Will Hunting from "Good Will Hunting" (1997) - Will's story revolves around personal growth and emotional challenges as he grapples with his troubled past and complex identity. He questions societal expectations and struggles to find his purpose and place in the world. Through therapy and self-exploration, Will starts to embrace faith in himself and his abilities. His journey involves seeking meaning and fulfillment beyond his troubled upbringing, reflecting themes of self-discovery and finding purpose in life.

For exta credit, I had it run through television characters:

Don Draper from "Mad Men": Don Draper's journey in the advertising world is an exploration of personal growth, challenges, and decisions. Throughout the show, he questions societal expectations and norms, striving to find meaning and fulfillment in his career and personal life. Don's introspective moments and emotional journeys align with the themes of self-discovery and the pursuit of purpose and meaning found in the collection of articles.