A while back, I tried asking ChatGPT to generate a story about a superhero rabbit. It did a passable job, but there was one really odd thing about its character name choices…
In the bustling city of Metroville, where chaos and crime reigned supreme, a most peculiar superhero emerged from the shadows. Meet Roger Rabbit, a seemingly ordinary bunny with an extraordinary gift—he possessed the power of speech!
By day, Roger was a mild-mannered pet rabbit, hopping around in the backyard of his owner's suburban home. But as the sun set and the moon graced the sky, he transformed into a fearless crime-fighting crusader. Donning a sleek red cape and a mask, Roger became the legendary superhero known as "The Hare Raiser."
One evening, as Roger patrolled the city streets, he stumbled upon a mischievous gang of thieves known as the "Wily Wolves." The wolves were notorious for their cunning schemes, preying on unsuspecting citizens. Determined to bring justice to Metroville, Roger confronted the pack with a twinkle in his eye.
"Stop right there, you mangy marauders!" Roger exclaimed, his voice confident and authoritative.
The Wily Wolves sneered, underestimating the small rabbit before them. "What can a little bunny like you do against us?" one of the wolves jeered.
With a smirk, Roger replied, "Prepare to be surprised!"
In a whirlwind of agility and wit, Roger leaped and bounded around the wolves, leaving them in awe. His swift kicks and masterful acrobatics caught them off guard, as he effortlessly outsmarted each member of the gang. The talking rabbit's clever quips and pun-filled comebacks added a touch of humor to the intense battle.
"Looks like you've been outfoxed!" Roger chuckled, dodging a swipe from one of the wolves.
As the citizens of Metroville watched in amazement, Roger proved that true power came not from size but from courage and quick thinking. The news of the fearless rabbit spread like wildfire, and the city's inhabitants found solace in knowing that their unlikely hero protected their streets.
In the following weeks, Roger's adventures continued. He thwarted bank robberies with his strategic planning, rescued kittens from perilous situations, and even played matchmaker, bringing together star-crossed lovers in need of a helping paw. With each victory, the rabbit's reputation grew, and he became a beloved symbol of hope and lightheartedness.
But Roger's true strength lay not only in his physical abilities but also in his unwavering compassion. He took time to listen to the troubles of those he saved, offering words of encouragement and warmth. His soothing voice and empathetic nature had a magical effect, easing the worries of both humans and animals alike.
The Hare Raiser's adventures became the talk of the town, inspiring children to dream big and believe in their own unique powers. Roger reminded them that heroes could come in all shapes and sizes, and that the power to make a difference resided within their hearts.
And so, dear reader, as Roger Rabbit continues to safeguard the city of Metroville, remember that even the smallest among us can possess the mightiest of spirits. Embrace your own extraordinary abilities, champion kindness, and let your voice be heard—just like the incredible talking rabbit who captured the hearts of an entire city.
You might be familiar with the name “Roger Rabbit” from another source or two. Most people know this one…
But you might know that another rabbit character went by “Roger Rabbit” for a while. His superhero name was Captain Carrot. Eventually, he went by his middle name “Rodney” to avoid any legal complications with the other Roger. (He’s an old fave of mine, brought back in a few recent comics.)
But still, this was a weird wrinkle. Out of all the names for a super-rabbit that ChatGPT could have picked, why go with “Roger”? It’s not like there are that many names for super-rabbit characters that are already taken.
I asked it to repeat the exercise, and this was its second opening paragraph…
In the bustling city of Metroville, where skyscrapers reached for the heavens, and chaos lurked around every corner, there lived an ordinary rabbit named Baxter. Unbeknownst to the world, Baxter possessed a remarkable ability—he could talk! But that wasn't his only secret. When danger threatened the innocent, Baxter transformed into a superhero known as Captain Carrot.
…Seriously, ChatGPT?
This was a bit of idle fun keyed to my particular interests, but it might nevertheless tell us something important about ChatGPT and how it works. It pulls its “inspiration” from the data entered into it, mostly the Web of a couple of years back. And when it copies that Web-based data, it doesn’t have a clear “sense” of what counts as plagiarism and what doesn’t. It’s possible that lots of other bits and pieces of ChatGPT stories, or particularly memorable turns of phrase, are in fact just lifted wholesale from other sources.
I did give the exercise one more try, and this was the opening paragraph this time…
In the bustling city of Metroville, where towering skyscrapers kissed the clouds, lived a peculiar superhero duo: Captain Courage and his trusty sidekick, a talking rabbit named Rascal. Together, they fought crime, protected the innocent, and brought smiles to the faces of the citizens.
Third time’s the charm, sort of. I’ve not seen the name “Captain Courage” or any talking rabbits named Rascal elsewhere, and Google searches turn up nothing. The phrase “In the bustling city of Metroville,” which begins all three stories, does seem to get used a lot in other amateur fiction, though. Wonder how these guys feel about that, since it’s their hometown.