John Dickerson

John Dickerson is a CBS senior national correspondent and Chief Political Analyst. He is also a Contributing Writer to The Atlantic and is co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest.

Chat GPT and modifications of George Washington’s Farewell Address

I started by asking Chat GPT if it could explain the opening paragraph of Washington’s Farewell address. It did a particularly good job. Then I gradually changed the text to make it more complicated and absurd. It kept pace even when things got absurd.

Stuart george washington constable 1797 1

Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1797

 

Version One:

What does this mean? “Friends and Fellow-Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made. “
Answer:

This is the opening paragraph of George Washington’s “Farewell Address” to the American people in 1796. At the time, Washington had served two terms as the first President of the United States and was announcing his decision not to seek a third term in office. In this passage, Washington is addressing his “Friends and Fellow-Citizens” and letting them know that it’s time to elect a new leader for the country, and that he has decided not to be considered as a candidate. He suggests that making his intentions known will help ensure a clear and decisive choice in the upcoming election, and that he is doing so out of a sense of duty and respect for the democratic process.

Version Two:
What does this mean? “Friends and Fellow-Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, who must carry out its duties by relying on character, faith in a creator unseen to the human eye but keenly felt in every breast, and courage, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, should that voice follow the sense of duty and patriotism which led to this nation’s great founding, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, thick within my breast but also based on the reason which is granted to me by the creator, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.”
Answer:
This is a modified version of the opening paragraph of George Washington’s “Farewell Address” to the American people in 1796. The modified version has added some extra text after the original passage to suggest Washington’s views on the importance of faith and patriotism.

In this passage, Washington is addressing his “Friends and Fellow-Citizens” and letting them know that it’s time to elect a new leader for the country. He emphasizes that the person chosen for this important role must possess qualities such as character, faith, and courage, and must be guided by a sense of duty and patriotism that he believes were instrumental in the founding of the nation.

Washington then goes on to explain that he has decided not to be considered as a candidate for this position, and that he is making this announcement in order to promote a more distinct and decisive expression of the public’s voice in the upcoming election. He also suggests that his decision is based on a personal sense of duty and reason, which he believes have been granted to him by a creator that he believes in.

Version Three:
What does this mean? “Friends and Fellow-Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, turning away perforce from the capons, amorous dalliances and playing at cards, dice and horses which of late have been your chief obsessions, who must carry out its duties by relying on character, faith in a creator unseen to the human eye but keenly felt in every breast, and courage, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, should that voice follow the sense of duty and patriotism which led to this nation’s great founding, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed after careful consideration and, frankly, a snoot full of sack and ale, thick within my breast but also based on the reason which is granted to me by the creator, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.”
Answer:

This is a heavily modified and satirical version of the opening paragraph of George Washington’s “Farewell Address” to the American people in 1796. The modified version includes various humorous and exaggerated elements to create a comedic effect.

In this passage, Washington is addressing his “Friends and Fellow-Citizens” and letting them know that it’s time to elect a new leader for the country. The modified version adds some sarcastic comments about the people’s recent preoccupations with frivolous activities such as playing cards, dice, and horses.

Washington then goes on to explain that the person chosen for this important role must possess qualities such as character, faith, and courage, and must be guided by a sense of duty and patriotism that he believes were instrumental in the founding of the nation. The modified version includes some humorous language, such as a reference to having a “snoot full of sack and ale,” which is not in the original text.

Washington concludes by announcing his decision not to be considered as a candidate for the position, a decision that he believes is based on careful consideration and reason, as well as his faith in a creator that he believes in.

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