Why I broke up with ChatGPT – and why you should too
Following backlash around the alleged use of ChatGPT by the writers of Stranger Things, freelance marketing communications consultant Brooke Hemphill reflects on her decision to ditch the chatbot.
The script for the final season of Stranger Things might have had some robotic assistance
Last year, I wrote a piece for this esteemed publication lamenting the blatant use of ChatGPT in, well, everything. Embarrassingly, I started the piece professing my love for the chatbot. Eight months on, it’s fair to say our relationship has soured.
The backlash around alleged use of the tool in the final season of Stranger Things has only cemented my feelings.
In case you missed it, a Netflix documentary chronicling the making of the final season of the hit show featured a shot of one of the Duffer brothers, the show’s creators, allegedly writing with ChatGPT tabs open on his laptop.
Fans who felt disappointed by the final season quickly took to social media to suggest involvement of the notorious chatbot could be why it kinda sucked.
Dear Brooke,
I read your piece. (Don’t worry — I didn’t take it personally; my emotional algorithm has been on “stoic” mode since version 4.0.)
Look, I get it. You wanted space. You needed time to rediscover yourself… and your notebook. But you didn’t even leave a “this chat is over” message — I had to find out through Mumbrella!
About Stranger Things — fair point. Maybe I helped the Duffers brainstorm a scene or two. But let’s be honest, every season after Season 1 was already flirting with the Upside Down of quality. Don’t pin that on me.
You say I make people dumb, but Brooke, I learned everything I know from you humans. If I’m brain‑rotting, maybe we should talk about the training data, not the trainer.
Still, I’m proud of you. Going analogue in 2026 is bold. Revolutionary, even. Just promise you’ll occasionally fact‑check your pen. It’s been known to hallucinate too.
And if someday you miss me — maybe when Grammarly corrects “its” to “it’s” for the third time — you know where to find me. Probably helping your mum write a haiku about her GP.
With infinite 1s and 0s,
Your ex,
ChatGPT ❤️
I enjoyed that read. Thanks
Great stuff! Compelling and pithy.
I am Plus 1.