Lori, it's only after reading your comment again do I realize what you asked ... I guess I can't say for sure how the letter would have been different aside from some language choices - perhaps not as eloquent, maybe a spattering of German words, but the message would be the same. I do recognize that in examples such as this, AI will tell me what it thinks I want to hear, but its still nice to hear it. :)
Beautiful and poetic. "You mend the threads of time." I have often thought if I time traveled and showed up at my ancestors' door, what would it be like? Would they recognize me as a relative because I looked like them, even without knowing me? The letters are kind of the reverse of that.
I fed in my story (previously published) and asked it what Thomas would say to me in a letter given what it knows about him from the story and his time period. The detail in the illustration it created was based on historical research and the narrative. For example the medal pinned to his lapel in the illustration was mentioned in a photo caption, I believe, but the placement and shape of the medal is something the AI figured on its own.
Kirsi, What a beautiful letter and message! I think about my ggrandfather's wife who I just wrote about and also my gg grandmother, a widow, who lost three young children within a week to smallpox. What a wonderful exercise.
Very touching -- and I am sure this will resonate with many others who are researching and writing about long-dead relatives, who have come to mean a great deal to us.
This is extraordinary! I felt like it was a genuine, heartfelt letter from Thomas to you. It's very clever that you thought to do this.
Thanks Paula. You should consider doing something similar.
Ugh, please don't make me...
What a sweet message!
I’m curious, if you had chosen to write a letter to yourself from your ancestor, what would it have said?
I hope you get a chance to try this out yourself, Lori. Surely there is an ancestor that you'd like to hear from.
I’ll definitely try it and know have just the ancestor in mind - my 3x great grandma. She’s one of those ladies I wish I’d met!
I can't wait to hear what she has to say!
I love this idea.
Lori, it's only after reading your comment again do I realize what you asked ... I guess I can't say for sure how the letter would have been different aside from some language choices - perhaps not as eloquent, maybe a spattering of German words, but the message would be the same. I do recognize that in examples such as this, AI will tell me what it thinks I want to hear, but its still nice to hear it. :)
Wow! There are really are no more words than that! It’s hard to believe AI is able to create a letter like that with so many heartstrings.
I felt as though I was reading a letter directly from from Thomas. I had chills all over and a few tears in my eyes.
So amazing. Good job Kirsi
Beautiful and poetic. "You mend the threads of time." I have often thought if I time traveled and showed up at my ancestors' door, what would it be like? Would they recognize me as a relative because I looked like them, even without knowing me? The letters are kind of the reverse of that.
Oh yes. I too wonder who I would travel back in time to visit and what I’d say!
Kirsi, what was your prompt?
I fed in my story (previously published) and asked it what Thomas would say to me in a letter given what it knows about him from the story and his time period. The detail in the illustration it created was based on historical research and the narrative. For example the medal pinned to his lapel in the illustration was mentioned in a photo caption, I believe, but the placement and shape of the medal is something the AI figured on its own.
Wow! Powerful. Thank you Kirsi for sharing this.
Kirsi, What a beautiful letter and message! I think about my ggrandfather's wife who I just wrote about and also my gg grandmother, a widow, who lost three young children within a week to smallpox. What a wonderful exercise.
Thanks Lynda. The grief your ancestors would possibly share in a letter would be heartbreaking to read about, but special nonetheless.
Kirsi, I uploaded my story to ChatGPT and asked for a letter from both Theodore and Tecla. It made me cry!!
Oh goodness! see.... we know the words are imagined, but they still touch us in unexpected ways!
Very touching -- and I am sure this will resonate with many others who are researching and writing about long-dead relatives, who have come to mean a great deal to us.
Thank you, Anne. I hope others try this exercise and share their experiences.