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We asked ChatGPT to roast Chattanooga

And the AI chatbot didn’t hold back on Scenic City.

 A vibrant aerial view of Chattanooga, Tennessee, showcasing the Tennessee River with multiple bridges, including the iconic Walnut Street Bridge with its blue trusses. The image captures lush green parks, walking paths, and a mix of modern and historic buildings in the downtown area. In the background, Lookout Mountain rises, partially covered by clouds. The river reflects the sky, and boats are visible along the shoreline. The scene is framed by a mix of urban development and natural landscapes.

Like Charlie Chaplin once said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

Photo by Kevin Ruck via Chattanooga Tourism Co.

We set our sidesplitting sights on a good old fashioned, lighthearted comedy roast of Chattanooga and took our humorous intent to ChatGPT, the online AI chatbot that uses natural language processors to generate text-based responses.

Here’s what it had to say — if you can handle it.

Fun fact: Comedy roasts date back to 1949, when the former Friars Club in New York City roasted vaudeville actor and singer Maurice Chevalier.

Can you roast Chattanooga, TN?
Ah, Chattanooga — the “Scenic City,” where the scenery is pretty, but the city part is a bit... underwhelming. You’ve got the Tennessee River winding through downtown like it’s trying to escape, and honestly, who could blame it?

How’s the traffic?
How does a city with a population smaller than most high school football rivalries have gridlock every single day? The intersection of I-24 and I-75 is like playing Mario Kart, except the only power-up you get is rage.

OK, but our food scene isn’t all that bad.
How many more farm-to-table restaurants do you need? And sure, you have breweries on every corner, but let’s not act like every IPA doesn’t taste like it was strained through a hiker’s boot.

Alright, alright. What’s the most overrated thing about Chattanooga?
Without a doubt, it’s the whole “Lookout Mountain experience.” It’s like the city collectively decided that charging tourists to see rocks, a cave, and a slightly-above-average view was the pinnacle of entertainment.

A scenic aerial view of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during autumn. The image features the Incline Railway, a steep railway track cutting through a dense forest of colorful fall foliage in shades of orange, yellow, and green. A bright red and yellow railcar is seen making its way up the incline toward the mountaintop. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds, and the sun shines brightly, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The surrounding forested area is dotted with houses, blending into the natural beauty of the scene.

At the end of the day, we love living here and wouldn’t change a thing that makes Chattanooga special — even if ChatGPT thinks Lookout Mountain is just a bunch of boulders.

Photo by Kelly Lacy via Chattanooga Tourism Co.

How about telling us how you really feel about some of the celebs from Chattanooga, say Usher?
Chattanooga claims Usher, but let’s be real: he left so fast, the city barely got a chance to say goodbye. He moved to Atlanta as a kid, and that’s where he became the R&B icon we all know. But sure, Chattanooga, clings to him like he’s coming back for a hometown concert anytime soon. Spoiler: he isn’t.

Poke some fun at the weather here in Chattanooga.
Chattanooga’s weather is like a chaotic roommate who never tells you what they’re planning. One minute it’s sunny and perfect for a picnic, and the next minute you’re running for cover from a pop-up thunderstorm like you’re in an action movie.

What three words summarize your roast of Chattanooga?
Muggy, overrated, potholes

Give Chattanooga a backhanded compliment.
Chattanooga is a charming little city — perfect for when you want all the traffic of a big city without any of the big-city amenities.

Give Chattanooga a real compliment.
Alright, Chattanooga, here’s the real deal: for all the roasting, you truly are a gem of a city. Few places manage to strike the balance you’ve got between stunning natural beauty and small-city charm.

Editor’s note: The ChatGPT responses have been edited for brevity.

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