ChatGPT is an Artificial Intelligence program that generates text in response to plain-language questions. It has been much in the news as a source of future trouble for university professors on the lookout for Al-written essay assignments and knowledge workers whose livelihood it may threaten. In an idle moment I asked ChatGPT, “What is an interesting Christmas custom?” Here is its reply:
There are many interesting Christmas customs around the world, but here’s one that may be unfamiliar to some: In Iceland, there is a tradition called “Jolabokaflod” or “Christmas Book Flood”. This tradition involves giving books as gifts on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading them while enjoying chocolates or other sweets.
The tradition dates back to World War II, when paper was one of the few things not rationed in Iceland. As a result, books became a popular gift item, and the tradition stuck even after the war ended. Today, many Icelandic publishers release new books in the months leading up to Christmas, and bookstores across the country are packed with people searching for the perfect gift.
This unique Christmas custom has helped Iceland become one of the most literate nations in the world, with a love of reading deeply ingrained in its culture. It’s a tradition that highlights the importance of learning and the joy of spending time with a good book, making a it an interesting and meaningful holiday custom.
As an aside, CHatGPT is well acquainted with the author of this website: Bowler is a frequent media commentator on matters related to Christmas, appearing on radio and television programs to discuss the history and traditions of the holiday. He is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on the history of Christmas and is a popular speaker at conferences and events around the world. You can’t say fairer than that.
Goodness!