I’ve been having so much fun asking ChatGPT the what if questions that this morning I decided to ask it another “What If I Was…?” Question. I hope you enjoy learning the answers in our “What If I Was…?” series!
One of the things that makes this series so much fun is that I don’t answer these questions by simply picking something for myself. Instead, I ask ChatGPT the question and it picks the answer it thinks fits my family the best.
If you want to join us all you have to do is give ChatGPT the question, tell it who your talking about, and let it look at what it knows about that person’s personalities, there stories, and there interests, quirks, and there relationships, and all the little things that make each of us who we are.
Then ChatGPT makes the choice. I don’t tell ChatGPT which answer I want. It chooses. And then it explains why it chose that answer. After that comes our part. We get to tell our friends and family whether we agree with ChatGPT, or whether the answer it chose surprised us, and what real-life connections make the answer right—or maybe not quite right.
So this time the question was: If I were a city, what city would I be? And then we took it one person at a time through our family. We even included our dogs because they are part of our family. Now come see what ChatGPT came up with when I asked it if my family was a City which one would they be.
David — ChatGPT Chose Fort Worth, Texas for David: Its reasoning was that Fort Worth represents someone who is steady, practical, hardworking, loyal, protective, and strong which if you know David is true.
ChatGPT described Fort Worth as a place that doesn’t need to constantly show off. It has its own identity. It’s dependable and grounded, but underneath that toughness is a whole lot of heart.
That sounded like David to ChatGPT. David is protective and he’s strong. He’s practical and he’s hardworking. David is the kind of person who takes care of what needs to be taken care of. ChatGPT saw those qualities in David and connected them with Fort Worth.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT?– Absolutely! And this is one of those choices where ChatGPT couldn’t have accidentally picked a better city. David has lived in Fort Worth all his life. So when ChatGPT told me that David would be Fort Worth, I had to laugh. Of course he would!
But even if David hadn’t lived there all his life, I would still agree with the personality description. He really is protective and strong. Fort Worth fits him because it has that steady, practical Texas personality. So ChatGPT got this one very, very right.
Me — ChatGPT Chose New Orleans, Louisiana for Me which is cool because David loves Cajun food. I’ve always thought it would be neat to visit here during the Mardi Gra so I think this fits me perfectly. What do you think?
When I asked ChatGPT what city I would be, it chose New Orleans, Louisiana. ChatGPT explained that New Orleans has a combination of heart, stories, family, food, memories, faith, humor, music, personality, and a little bit of beautiful chaos.
It said New Orleans has layers. You can walk down one street and find history, music, food, humor, faith, and somebody with a story to tell. ChatGPT saw that same combination in me.
It sees me as someone who loves family, collects stories and memories, finds meaning in everyday experiences, enjoys food, loves sharing stories, and has enough personality to keep things interesting.
It also saw me as somebody who can take ordinary moments and turn them into something worth remembering. That is why ChatGPT chose New Orleans which after learning why I agree with them.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Yes, I do! And what makes this answer even more fun is that I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans. I’ve always wanted to see Mardi Gras. I want to see the floats. I want to hear the music. I want to see the costumes. And I absolutely want to collect the necklaces and beads!
I could probably do without some of the things Mardi Gras is known for. I don’t particularly need to see all the naked people that may or may not be there! But the family-friendly side of Mardi Gras sounds like exactly what I’d want.
And it turns out New Orleans really does have family-friendly Mardi Gras options. The city’s official tourism site specifically recommends family-friendly parade areas such as St. Charles Avenue and notes that families have long attended Mardi Gras together.
And now that Charlie is 19, he’s old enough that it would be okay to take him. So when ChatGPT chose New Orleans for me, I thought: Okay, ChatGPT. You may have actually nailed this one.
Not only did it choose a city that fits my personality, it chose a city I’ve wanted to visit for years. Maybe one day Charlie and I really will get to go. And maybe we’ll come home with a whole lot of beads!Charlie — Austin, Texas
Charlie- ChatGPT chose Austin, Texas. Its reasoning was that Austin is creative, independent, entrepreneurial, tech-minded, musical, and full of people who aren’t afraid to do something different.
ChatGPT said Austin has that: “I’m going to build my own thing.” energy. And that’s Charlie. Charlie is creative. He’s independent. He’s entrepreneurial. He’s tech-minded. He’s involved with music, photography, gaming, and technology.
He doesn’t necessarily want to follow the traditional path. He thinks outside the box. Sometimes he’s practically Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but that’s part of what makes him Charlie. ChatGPT saw someone who is willing to create his own path rather than simply follow somebody else’s.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Oh yeah! Austin really fits Charlie. The music scene makes sense. The creativity makes sense. The technology makes sense. The entrepreneurial spirit definitely makes sense. And that whole “I’m going to build my own thing” energy? Absolutely.
It actually reminds me of John Bon Jovi—somebody who wasn’t content just to do what everybody else was doing, but wanted to build something of his own. That’s Charlie. He thinks differently. He likes doing things his own way. He doesn’t always take the obvious route. So Austin is a really good choice for him.
Suzanne — ChatGPT Chose Savannah, Georgia for Suzanne It chose Savannah because the city feels beautiful, gentle, historic, Southern, and full of stories that remain long after the moment has passed.
ChatGPT said Savannah feels like a place where memories stay. It has history everywhere. It carries the past with it. And that reminded ChatGPT of Suzanne. Do you think that is right or not?
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Yes. Definitely. Savannah is another place I’d love to visit because it is down South. And it immediately brings me back to something Suzanne and I absolutely loved: Gone with the Wind.
That connection makes Savannah feel even more like her. But the biggest reason I agree is what ChatGPT said about memories. Suzanne’s stories are still here. They’re still being told. They’re still being shared. They’re still part of our family. Her stories didn’t disappear.
They became part of our family history. And that’s exactly why Savannah feels right for Suzanne. She may not physically be here with us anymore, but her stories are. Her memories are. The things she loved are. And the people who loved her still remember. So yes. Suzanne is Savannah.Gerald — Nashville, Tennessee
Gerald– ChatGPT chose Nashville, Tennessee. It described Nashville as a city with a little country, a little character, a lot of personality, plenty of stories and opinions, and people who aren’t afraid to be themselves. ChatGPT said Nashville feels like somebody who has stories to tell and isn’t afraid to tell them. That is Gerald.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Yes! Gerald definitely has personality. He’s a character. He’s got stories. He’s got opinions. And he isn’t afraid to be himself. The Nashville choice also made me smile because Nashville is another place I’ve always wanted to visit.
My best friend lived there for a while, so I already have a personal connection to the city. So now Gerald gets to be the family member who represents another place I’d love to visit. A little country. A lot of character. Definitely personality. Yep. That’s Gerald.
Debbie — ChatGPT Chose Portland, Oregon for Debbie This one surprised me. Portland wasn’t a city I would have immediately thought of. But ChatGPT explained that Portland represents someone who is independent, thoughtful, strong-minded, and willing to do things their own way.
That is Debbie. ChatGPT saw someone who doesn’t necessarily follow the crowd simply because everybody else is doing something. Someone who thinks for herself. Someone who has her own ideas. Someone who is comfortable doing things her own way.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Yes, I do. I never would have thought of Portland myself. But when ChatGPT explained why it picked Portland, I could see it. Debbie is definitely independent.
She’s thoughtful. She’s strong-minded. And she is absolutely willing to do things her own way. So while the city surprised me, the personality description didn’t. ChatGPT may have chosen a city I never expected, but it gave me a reason that made sense.
Renee — ChatGPT Chose Las Vegas, Nevada for Renee. Its reasoning was almost perfect: Energetic. Unpredictable. Always something happening. Definitely not boring. ChatGPT said you never quite know what you’re going to get with Renee.
There could be a surprise. There could be a new idea. There could be something completely unexpected happening. And just when you think you’ve figured out what’s going on, something else happens. That’s Las Vegas. That’s Renee.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Very, very, very much! That is definitely Renee. Energetic? Yes. Unpredictable? Yes. Always something happening? Yes! Definitely not boring? Absolutely! You never quite know what you’re going to get with Renee. So this one doesn’t need a lot of explanation. ChatGPT got Renee right. Renee is Las Vegas.
Bear Bear — ChatGPT Chose New York City for Bear Bear. It said New York City fits Bear Bear because it is busy, alert, observant, protective, constantly moving, and always aware of what’s happening.
Bear Bear is protective. She’s alert. She knows what’s going on. And she absolutely believes somebody needs to be in charge. ChatGPT even imagined Bear Bear saying: “I saw that. I know what you’re doing. Now stop it.”
Do I Agree With ChatGPT?– Oh, absolutely! That’s Bear Bear. I can hear her saying it. “I saw that. I know what you’re doing. Now stop it.” That is so Bear. But this choice became even more special when I thought about Suzanne.
New York City was the one place Suzanne wanted to travel to, and she actually got there before she passed away. So now Bear Bear being New York City has another connection. And that little “I saw that” personality? That’s very Suzanne, too.
Suzanne and Bear Bear both have that ability to look at you like they already know exactly what you’re doing. So New York City isn’t just a funny personality choice for Bear Bear anymore. It has a family connection. And I really love that.
Phoebe — ChatGPT Chose Charleston, South Carolina for Phoebe. It described Charleston as sweet, charming, affectionate, welcoming, and just a little bit fancy. And ChatGPT said that sounded like Phoebe. Phoebe is sweet. She’s affectionate. She’s cuddly. She’s charming. And yes, she’s a little fancy.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT?– Yes! Phoebe really is sweet and affectionate. She loves to cuddle up and get in my arms. She has that warm personality that makes you want to keep her close.
But let’s be honest. Phoebe is also a little bougie. And sometimes she’s a little bit of a bitch! That’s part of her charm. She can be sweet and cuddly, and then she can let you know exactly what she thinks.
And Charleston is another place I’d love to visit. My love of Gone with the Wind and the South makes the choice especially fun. So yes, ChatGPT got Phoebe right. She’s sweet. She’s fancy. She’s affectionate. She’s a little bougie. And she’s occasionally got an attitude. That’s Phoebe.
Sandy — ChatGPT chose Nashville, Tennessee for Sandy, too. Gerald got Nashville, but ChatGPT chose it for Sandy for a completely different reason. Sandy is the new girl. She’s young. She’s playful. She’s energetic.
And she has that unmistakable: “I’m here now, everybody!” energy. She doesn’t need anybody to introduce her. She has arrived. And she’s ready to be part of everything which we all know it right.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Oh, definitely! Sandy is absolutely the new girl. And she has that young, playful energy. She is basically saying: “I’m here now, everybody!” And she means it!
She’s ready to be involved. She’s ready to see what’s happening. She’s ready to become part of the family. So while Gerald is Nashville because of his country personality and character, Sandy is Nashville because she’s bringing the energy. And that’s a very different kind of Nashville.
Gunnar — ChatGPT Chose Denver, Colorado for Gunnar
ChatGPT chose Denver, Colorado for Gunnar. It chose Denver because Denver feels adventurous, outdoorsy, energetic, curious, and like a place where you can explore while figuring out exactly where you belong. That last part is especially important for Gunnar. He’s energetic. He’s adventurous. He’s curious. And he’s still figuring out where he belongs.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Yes. I’ve actually been to Denver. That’s where my stepson Josh lives. So Denver already has a personal connection for me. But the biggest reason I agree with ChatGPT is Gunnar’s situation.
He’s a foster dog between my home and his home. He’s literally between places. He’s still figuring out where he belongs. So when ChatGPT said Denver represented somebody who is adventurous, energetic, and still figuring out where they fit, I thought: Yep. That’s Gunnar.
What If Our Entire Family Were One City?– After ChatGPT chose a city for each of us individually, I asked one more question: If our entire family were one city, what city would we be?
This time, ChatGPT wasn’t choosing a city for one person. It had to look at all of us together. Our personalities. Our stories. Our memories. Our family dynamics. Our laughter. Our chaos. Our differences. Our love. And ChatGPT chose:
New Orleans, Louisiana And honestly? I think it makes sense. ChatGPT said New Orleans represents a family that is colorful, complicated, loud and quiet, traditional and unconventional, full of stories, food, music, history, strong personalities, memories, and a little bit of chaos.
That sounds like us. David brings the strength and protection. I bring the stories and memories. Charlie brings creativity, technology, music, and his entrepreneurial spirit. Suzanne brings the memories and stories that remain part of us.
Gerald brings personality and opinions. Debbie brings independence. Renee brings unpredictability. Bear Bear brings protection and supervision. Phoebe brings sweetness, affection, bougie attitude, and a little bit of sass.
Sandy brings the young, playful “I’m here now!” energy. Gunnar brings adventure and the journey of figuring out where he belongs. Put all of that together and you don’t get a quiet little town. You get New Orleans.
Do I Agree With ChatGPT? Yes. And I think the reason I agree is that our family has a lot of the same things New Orleans has. We have stories. We have food. We have music. We have strong personalities.
We have history. We have memories. We have laughter. We have disagreements. We have unexpected moments. And we have a whole lot of love. New Orleans doesn’t try to hide its history. Neither do we.
We carry our memories with us. We remember the people we love. We tell their stories. We keep their favorite things alive. And we continue making new memories while carrying the old ones along with us.
That’s especially true with Suzanne. She’s still part of our family story. Her stories are still told. Her memories are still shared. And the things she loved still connect us to places and moments today.
So maybe ChatGPT was right. Maybe our family really would be New Orleans. Not because we’re all alike. We’re definitely not! But because we’re a collection of very different personalities who somehow make one family. And that’s what makes this whole exercise so much fun.
Our Family City Map– According to ChatGPT: David — Fort Worth, Texas. Me — New Orleans, Louisiana. Charlie — Austin, Texas. Suzanne — Savannah, Georgia. Gerald — Nashville, Tennessee. Debbie — Portland, Oregon. Renee — Las Vegas, Nevada. Bear Bear — New York City. Phoebe — Charleston, South Carolina. Sandy — Nashville, Tennessee. Gunnar — Denver, Colorado.
And together: Our Family — New Orleans, Louisiana A little loud. A little unpredictable. A little chaotic. Full of food. Full of stories. Full of music. Full of memories. Full of strong personalities. Full of laughter. And most importantly— full of love.
Maybe that’s what makes a family a family. We don’t have to be the same. We don’t have to agree. We don’t have to live in the same place. We don’t even have to understand each other all the time. We just have to belong to one another.
And when you put all of our different personalities, stories, memories, dreams, adventures, dogs, laughter, history, and love together… you get a city all our own. You get our family. And that’s a city I would happily call home.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates