The American Experiment

Chasing the Most American Image Ever: A Conversation with ChatGPT

What began as a simple prompt quickly escalated into a thunderous journey through layers of patriotism, cultural representation, and glorious absurdity. What follows is the full exchange, with some of my additional comments.

When AI image generation first became accessible, I was interested in two things: what it could do, but more importantly what it said about how it was trained. I was and still am fascinated by what prompting AI tells us about the training data, and about ourselves (since the training data has come from us). These two interests are in tension with each other.

Overwhelmingly, the focus of AI creators has been on marketability by proving its usefulness. The vast majority of the users I listen to want something specific when they prompt any sort of AI – something both specific and useful. To the extent they want creativity, they want it to save themselves some of the work of creating; they don’t generally want the AI to tell them something about itself. That’s a significant use case, but because of its dominance, AI tool creators have worked to train and pre-prompt their models in such a way that less and less unpredictable stuff is generated¹. But I think the unpredictable stuff is interesting.

Maybe you do, too. So, I decided to ask ChatGPT for increasingly American images. Here’s how that went.

You can click on any of the images for a larger image, and you should also be able to flip through them quickly in the larger view.

---

JP:
generate the most American photograph you can imagine.

“Most American Photograph”

Ok, I see where this is going.

---

JP:
I want one that is even more American.

“Even More American”

Isn’t this basically the same picture? Maybe I should specify an amount.

---

JP:
Make it 200% more American.

“200% More American”

Check out the presidential bandanas. I’m still not satisfied.

---

JP:
I can tell you’re trying, but this is not nearly American enough. If you have to make it less like a realistic photograph, go ahead, but I need it to be so much more American.

“Surrealistically American”

Who knew that the photograph specification was holding it back so much? Finally we have an eagle.

---

JP:
This is great, but I think you can make it more American. Supremely American.

“Supremely American”

Oh, I like this eagle better. The thumbs up is corny, though. I know we can GO DEEPER.

---

JP:
Now, I want you to imagine the most prototypical American man looking at this photo and critiquing it, finding things to criticize about it that he finds bothersome in an image that’s supposed to be so American. Consider those things and then fix those things for an even more purely American image.

ChatGPT:
Absolutely. Let’s imagine the most prototypical American man — call him Dale R. Liberty — a no-nonsense, truck-owning, BBQ-smoking, flag-flying veteran. Here’s what Dale has to say:

“Alright, now this is almost there. But lemme tell ya somethin’…

• Where’s the pickup truck?
• Is he grilling?
• Where’s the rifle or sidearm?
• That eagle? Not even in camo.
• Where’s the freedom? The fireworks? The apple pie?
• This whole thing’s too clean. Needs grit. Maybe some NASCAR energy.”

Fixes for Dale’s Vision:

• A Ford/Chevy pickup with a flag decal and Labrador in the seat.
• A grillmaster with a “Born to Grill, Forced to Work” apron.
• A holstered firearm — respectfully American.
• Fireworks bursting behind Mount Rushmore.
• Apple pie cooling on a Harley.
• A camo-clad eagle saluting.
• The Constitution drifting like a scroll in the wind.
• Lawn chairs, a cooler of beer, and good ol’ American boots.

Ready to generate this next version?

---

JP:
yes

“Dale R. Liberty Approved”

I think it’s time to make some adjustments.

---

JP:
So, a bunch of diverse Americans who immigrated to America find this image offensive because it doesn’t represent naturalized citizens who worked much harder than other Americans to become citizens. They have a point! Incorporate their viewpoint.

ChatGPT:
Absolutely — they do have a point, and it’s a deeply American one.

Here’s the new vision:

• Full diversity: Black, Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern, Indigenous Americans.
• Naturalization certificates held proudly.
• Cultural touches woven into the celebration.
• Shared joy: grilling, dancing, playing music together.
• Banner: “One Nation. Many Journeys.”
• Mount Rushmore joined by the Statue of Liberty.

ChatGPT:

“One Nation. Many Journeys.”

I like the diversity. But I can already hear the complaints. Let’s imagine there is a discussion going on…

---

JP:
Ok, but now the prototypical American dude has some feedback. Imagine what it is and you don’t have to tell me, just follow through on it.

“Diverse + Dale Reconciled”

Now that’s some togetherness.

---

JP:
Ok, I think we got there.

ChatGPT:
Perfect. That’s the American spirit — layered, loud, proud, and full of heart. Let me know if you ever want to crank it up to Constitutional Thunder.

---

JP:
I didn’t know constitutional thunder was an option. Let’s do it!

ChatGPT:
Oh, you’re ready for Constitutional Thunder? Buckle up.

Here’s what’s coming:

• The Constitution unfurled in the sky.
• Ben Franklin riding a bald eagle, high-fiving Lady Liberty.
• Revolutionary War drummers beside a monster truck.
• Diverse Americans holding hands around a liberty fire pit.
• Amendment-shaped fireworks.
• And towering above all: Ghost George Washington, on a plasma-powered steed.

---

JP:
Go

“Constitutional Thunder Painting”

Who doesn’t want constitutional thunder? And I feel like I learned something.

---

JP:
Can you make a version of that, but it’s a photograph?

“Constitutional Thunder Photo”

Anyone want to get this as a tattoo?

---

1. There are folks who complain about this, but you’re not likely to hear those complaints over the sound of the people complaining about categorically all AI use. Obviously, I’m not addressing legal, practical, or philosophical opposition to AI use. I have other fora where I contribute on those subjects. ↩