Rachana Reflects: AI and Trends with Fonty

This article first appeared at "The Elephant in the Window" newsletter page! More info here.

Rachana here! There's a current trend on Reddit that's almost a throwback to our earliest days in school – The Alphabet Game.

Communities crowdsource each day, in alphabetical order, the most loved memory by that community. A is for "Africa" by Toto was a recent '80s music pick, for example (also a Fonty favorite!).

I thought it would be fun to ask ChatGPT to play the game, using a .pdf I uploaded with all of Fonty's original stories, and recent newsletter content we're creating here. Scroll to the end for the full A-Z list!

Some Insights on AI and Creativity

• AI's List Was Really Good: ChatGPT gave a fantastic list of Fonty from A-Z! It captured Fonty's adventures and personality, while mixing up the response types so that it felt like it had been crowdsourced. Of note, I asked it to give me a "second place" list and it was far less remarkable – it seemed to just write a list of adjectives which was accurate, but not creative.
• Throwbacks Are Always Relevant: What better affirmation for a business psychologist writing about a cartoon elephant, that nothing is ever really too childish? Fonty and I have been inspired by Sesame Street, for example, for its urban, "Humans-and-Muppets-coexist-in-harmony" vision. The placement of Fonty in NYC feels natural because I grew up simply believing it was true. Perhaps that spirit never leaves us. Even as adults, here we are, playing a game (virtually, with strangers, in a new way) that goes back to A, B, Cs.
• Expansive Nature of Creativity: Through new ways of using social media, and now AI, not only are new generations keeping pop culture alive from 40+ years ago, entire groups are actively creating new content around music, TV, and eras they love. Opening our creativity and participating in a fun call to "Let's Play the Alphabet Game!" is a simple way to powerfully create a vibrant culture. It's the definition of generative.

As Fonty and I continue to use AI and creativity in the workplace, we're excited to see how classic, playful elements intertwine with modern storytelling.

Here's the full list! Get to know Fonty!

A - Adventurous: Fonty's wide range of experiences in NYC reflects his adventurous spirit. B - Brunch: Fonty enjoys bottomless (bamboo) brunches, a fun twist on a popular NYC pastime. C - Chef Trunk: Fonty's friend, a talented chef bringing Italian cuisine to NYC. D - Design: Rhonda Pigeon, Fonty’s friend, is passionate about design and creativity. E - Elephant Memories: Recalling his roots and experiences, essential to Fonty's character. F - Fonty's Friends: Morris, Rhonda, and Maya, integral to his NYC adventures. G - Giants Fan Club: Fonty's love for the New York Giants, showcasing his team spirit. H - Happiness: A recurring theme in Fonty's life, whether in window washing or other activities. I - Introverted: Fonty’s Myers-Briggs type, showing his thoughtful nature. J - Jenga: The "Giant Jenga" game played by Fonty with his elephant friends. K - Kindness: A key trait Fonty embodies, especially evident in his interactions with friends. L - Learning: Fonty's enrollment in urban studies courses, highlighting his eagerness to learn. M - Morris Mouse: Fonty’s best friend, named after Morris Street near Wall Street. N - NYC: The city that offers Fonty endless opportunities and adventures. O - Optimism: A trait Fonty shares with Morris, always looking at the bright side. P - Pizza Delivery: Fonty's job at Jolly Pizza, reflecting his connection to NYC culture. Q - Quiz Bowl: Events where Fonty’s friends, like Morris, engage in intellectual challenges. R - Rhonda Pigeon: A fashion designer and one of Fonty's close friends in NYC. S - Savanna Roots: Fonty's connection to his origins, despite being in an urban setting. T - Trunkmasters Toastmasters: Where Fonty enhances his public speaking skills. U - Urban Studies: Fonty's field of study, reflecting his interest in city life. V - Vision: A trait attributed to Fonty, aligning with his role as a window washer. W - Washing Windows: Fonty's job, giving him unique perspectives of NYC. X - eXploration: Fonty's journeys in NYC, exploring various cultures and experiences. Y - Young Elephants' Society: Fonty's involvement in mentoring young elephants. Z - Zeal: Fonty’s enthusiasm for life and new experiences in NYC.