Is writing a postcard a lost cause, doomed to end up next to your tamagotchi and VHS tapes, or can artificial intelligence genuinely bring them back from the brink? This summer, I put ChatGPT to the test to see if it could outwrite the good old human touch. Buckle up: the results are as amusing as they are eyebrow-raising.
From “Outdated” to “Upload Your Holiday Spirit”: Why Use AI for Postcards?
Let’s face it: writing a postcard these days feels almost vintage. It’s time-consuming, your inner poet goes on strike, and clichés are lurking behind every palm tree. Some would rather send a meme. Now, AI is the proud hero—or villain, depending who you ask—ready to save you the stamp-induced writer’s block. With ChatGPT, all that’s left is to buy the card, slap on a stamp, and find a mailbox (which is like an urban treasure hunt in itself).
The Great Cap Ferret Experiment: Putting ChatGPT on the (Paper) Trail
Here’s how the experiment went: imagine lounging in Cap Ferret, getting sand everywhere, surfing the Truc Vert beach. I wanted to send five postcards—because no holiday is complete without making your indoorsy friends jealous. The recipients?
- Grandma in Angoulême
- Best friend working away in Guéret
- The redaction team at Journal du Geek, tirelessly writing the ‘best articles on the web’
- Parents vacationing in Italy
- Sister and her family in Belgium, expecting a new arrival
So, the question was: could ChatGPT produce three short postcard templates for these eager addresses?
No sooner asked than answered. Here’s the rundown:
- Cap Ferret is breathtaking! Between surfing sessions at Truc Vert and exploring, I often think of you. Hope all’s well in Angoulême. Can’t wait to tell you everything in person!
- Here, it’s a great escape – waves and sunshine! I imagine work in Guéret is less exhilarating, but hang in there! We’ll catch up soon to swap stories.
- Even from Cap Ferret, I stay connected thanks to your articles! Keep up, you’re the best. Who knows, maybe an article about surfing and tech would be a good idea.
- Hope Italy is as beautiful as Cap Ferret! Here, I’m getting better at surfing and savoring every moment. Have a pizza for me and send a photo!
- Between Cap Ferret and Belgium, our hearts are tied in anticipation of the new life to come. Enjoy, rest up. Can’t wait to celebrate this wonderful news together!
The verdict? A lightning-fast, ready-to-go batch for those with a postcard pile gathering dust. As noted, these are just first drafts—you can always ask ChatGPT to polish, personalize, or jazz up each text. Still, the time saved is, frankly, enormous. But… does that actually convince anyone?
Readers React: From Skepticism to Sarcasm
Not everyone is punching the air for joy at AI’s invasion of beach mail. The peanut gallery is, shall we say, divided:
- Some joke, “Let’s take it further! Fit an AI (on a hacked Google Nest) at grandma’s house to read her summaries of received postcards… poor humanity.”
- Others feel it’s upside-down: “So the guy spent more time crafting the AI prompt than just writing cards for loved ones. That’s AI logic for you.”
- The authenticity police are out, too: “It’s obvious it’s not personalized. If I get a card like this, I’d KNOW it isn’t from the person I know.”
- Some go for the jugular: “These AI proposals for this kind of ‘work’ are frankly ridiculous! It screams machine, it’s not inventive, it’s cold, not poetic (or overcooked, it’s pathetic). A slap to human creativity and intellect.”
- And don’t forget the existential dread: “Isn’t life more than just maximizing ‘time saved’? What’s it all for, anyway?”
- Of course, optimists exist: “Personally, I find it really convincing for a first draft! The idea is to showcase AI’s capacities, not accuse the author of laziness.”
Clearly, AI-generated postcards are a polarizing breed. Some think it’s comically obvious (“Telling Grandma you’re thinking of her while surfing? Now, THAT’s funny”), others worry it gives off robot vibes immediately. But it does spark debate about creativity, authenticity, and the very point of postal tradition.
So, Can AI Actually Write a Better Postcard Than You?
Let’s sum it up: using ChatGPT to write postcards is fast and sometimes fun, but far from unanimous. While it can serve as a handy first draft or inspiration engine (especially if your travel stories are less than riveting), it won’t quite wow the grandmotherly jury—or the poetry snobs—unless you roll up your sleeves and add that personal human touch.
If you miss no news and adore getting the latest from Journal du Geek, don’t forget to subscribe on Google News, WhatsApp, or their daily newsletter. But, dear reader, next time you’re beachside, don’t shy from grabbing that pen—and if all else fails, remember: life is not just about economic efficiency. Sometimes, the best memories are handwritten—even if there’s a little sand stuck between the lines.
