I decided to try using ChatGPT to write a short script to see how it might do. I began with the idea of the Old King/Young King ritual that Sir James Fraser wrote about in The Golden Bough (1890), an examination of comparative religion that pre-dates Joseph Campbell. Frazer writes that the new king killsContinue reading “ChatGPT Writes Like My Playwrighting Students Did”
Author Archives: stephenschrum
Hell’s Bells!
What makes you nervous? My post title comes from something my Great-Aunt Catherine used to say. She was likely in her 60s, and we would occasionally visit her. She was the “rich aunt,” in the big house outside of town. Her husband made his money in trucking, and so they had the large manse, theContinue reading “Hell’s Bells!”
The Long Unwinding Road
How do you unwind after a demanding day? When I was teaching and directing, this question seemed more relevant. Since I retired, I am not doing 12-16 hour days* anymore—well, not in the same way. While I’m still finding my routine, a regular day consists of doing some creative work and then various house projectsContinue reading “The Long Unwinding Road”
Fears
This is the companion blog post to Audio Chimera Episode #68: “What Are YOU Afraid Of?” I thought I would mention my fear of heights here. When I was growing up I had a fear of heights. Going to a second floor balcony on a rickety wooden fire escape was okay, but once, at aContinue reading “Fears”
Let’s Get Social
How do you use social media? My first response to today’s prompt is: I guess, not that well? I have some followers on a couple of social media accounts, but to be honest they are following me either because I know them personally (Instagram: audiochimera) or because they are following my cats (TikTok: @audiochimera). OrContinue reading “Let’s Get Social”
Jot
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind. I read the prompt. And tried to let my mind go blank, which is very difficult today because, on top of my cold, I’ve gotten conjunctivitis (which led to an ER visit late last night when my partner got it first). So, clearing my mind,Continue reading “Jot”
Pass the Gin!
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you. When I was an undergrad at Temple University, I would generally take the bus both ways to visit home. Oddly enough, someone else I met at my first college also transferred to the same program and at the same time as me.Continue reading “Pass the Gin!”
Decisions, Decisions
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow. I’d say I’ve never been very adventurous…until this century. I usually played it safe with investments, job moves, and life decisions. Putting off having a child until achieving some measure of financial solvency and health insurance probably delayed the process tooContinue reading “Decisions, Decisions”
Arriving Somewhere…Not Here…
What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why? In the run-up to the last election, I posted a short video on TikTok, asking, “What are you for?” So many people were posting what they were against, and I thought I’d take a more positive approach. The one longer comment I gotContinue reading “Arriving Somewhere…Not Here…”
It’s a New Car!
Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you. When I was in high school, I couldn’t wait to get my driver’s license. And when I did, my aunt decided that she could buy me a car so I could get back and forth to school. She couldn’t afford much so she wentContinue reading “It’s a New Car!”
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