Postcard History

Today we feature a WABAC machine, a green beetle, and an unusual card that we know nothing about. AND we do so as a Grand Experiment. We turn to one of the newest and most controversial sciences in the history of mankind: Artificial Intelligence.

This experiment is for this Fifth Sunday only. Your editor has ventured deep into the world of technology, to a place where he is very uncomfortable. A world where the unexpected becomes ordinary and the familiar turns outrageous.

Since artificial intelligence has become an Internet tool, the jury is still out, but it seems to have become both a blessing and a curse. It is an efficient and productive tool for doing repetitive tasks, it can analyze financial and medical data accurately and quickly, and it is entertaining.

Nevertheless, A-I has dozens of drawbacks. Just a few are job displacement, bias, privacy, dependency, and in your editor’s mind the very worst case is that A-I enjoys a total lack of accountability.

So, we have attempted to find a popular A-I website and we used it to tell us about out three Fifth Sunday postcards. The descriptions, comments below that appear in italics have been written (perhaps “written” is the wrong word), let’s say “created” by machines. Let us know your opinions.  

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But first, I want to tell you what to expect.

Time Flies. We realize, every day, that time passes without much notice, but as we approach the one-quarter mark of the 21^st century, doesn’t November 19, 1959, seem like a long time ago? As of today, it was 64 years, 10 months, 10 days ago.

That was the Thursday on the ABC Television network that the Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends animated show aired with its premiere episode.

Do you remember Rocky’s WABAC machine? The “way-back machine” was a plot device that allowed Mr. Peabody and Sherman to visit famous historical events and people. The machine was similar in size to early computers like the UNIVAC and a warehouse was needed to store it.

The “way-back” postcard is quite a clever play on words as “way” becomes “weigh” and those who have used the machine seem quite satisfied with the results. Equally, those who are about to use the machine anticipate the same satisfaction.

A Green Beetle. The first Volkswagen Beetle – officially known as a Volkswagen Type 1 – was marketed in New York shortly after a shipment of two arrived in New York Harbor on January 17, 1949. The Beetle’s distinctive shape and long production period made it one of the most iconic cars in automotive history. 

It is quite likely that the one on the postcard was not one of the first two sold in America, but the instant this card was found I knew it had to become part of Postcard History’s Fifth Sunday.

A Dinosaur and Airplane. This card has not been used. It has no caption. It has no publisher’s data. It was discovered in a box of continental cards that was headed for a dumpster. It has been seen by at least five members of PcH’s staff and they have shrugged it off, so its story remains unwritten. Perhaps one of our readers can explain.

***

Let the experiment begin. Remember,
the text in italics that follows is all A-I generated.

(PS: we gave A-I two tries at each card.)

***

THE WEIGH BACK MACHINE

• In a friendly setting someplace in the world, perhaps a therapist’s office, several women of diverse backgrounds gather, each carrying a blend of hope and trepidation. They’re waiting for a machine, rumored to transform their bodies, promising youthfulness and vitality. Their conversations range from laughter to shared insecurities, revealing a camaraderie born from common struggles. Each woman dreams of shedding weight to reclaim confidence and vitality, envisioning a future where they feel as vibrant on the outside as they do on the inside.
  
  
• Losing weight can be much like training a cat to fetch a ball; the exercise is full of unexpected twists and hilarious alibis of procrastination! You start your day with the best intentions: a green smoothie that looks like something out of a sci-fi film. A few hours later, you’re negotiating with a box of donuts like you’re trying to broker a peace treaty. “Just one won’t hurt,” you tell yourself, fully aware that the box is plotting a weighty sabotage. Then at the gym, you hop on the treadmill, ready to crush a workout, only to find yourself in an unwanted competition with a grandma half your age.
  
  By the end of the day, you might not have lost a pound, but you’ve certainly gained a few laughs—and let’s be honest, laughter burns calories too, right? So, here’s to trying and enjoying the delightful chaos of weight loss!

THE GREEN VW BEETLE

• Days ago, I wandered deep into the forest, the sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the path. Suddenly, I stumbled upon an old VW Beetle. It was buried in nature’s embrace. Vines snaked around the doors, and weeds claimed the hood, while grass sprouted defiantly from the cracked windshield. The little I could see of the once vibrant paint had faded to a ghostly hue; it told tales of past journeys. It stood as a haunting reminder of time’s passage, swallowed by the earth.
  
  
• Once a proud beetle, now a “lawn ornament” on the roadside, this grass-covered VW has embraced the green life. Dubbed “Herbie the Herbivore,” it’s a bug with a botanical twist—complete with a full beard of dandelions and a mossy makeover. Passersby chuckle, “Look! Nature’s new pet!” while the beetle whispers, “I just wanted to retire to a nice garden!” Birds now treat it as their five-star hotel; ants call it home! But beware, its rusting engine dreams of a comeback tour. “Vroom-fest,” anyone? Fueled by photosynthesis, its next adventure? “The Great Beetle Barber Battle!” Stay tuned!

A DINOSAUR and an AIRPLANE
at the GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE?

• A dinosaur and a Boeing 747 walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, “What’ll it be, boys?” The dinosaur orders a T-Rex on the rocks, while the jet demands a high-flying cocktail, something shaken, not stirred. The dino chuckles, “You’re flying high, aren’t you?” The plane retorts, “Better than running on tiny legs! How do you party?” The dino grins, “I stomp and roar!” The 747 replies, “I just hit the runway and take off!” The bartender rolls his eyes and pours both drinks, muttering, “And they say I have a tumultuous life!” Cheers erupt, dinosaurs crash, and jet engines rev!
  
  
• In a whimsical scene, imagine a bustling day above the George Washington Bridge, where a Boeing 747 soars gracefully through the sky. Below, the majestic spans of the bridge gleam in the sunlight, with cars zooming by amidst the vibrant autumn foliage.
  
  Now, as the airplane glides overhead, picture a friendly dinosaur—let’s say a cheerful Tyrannosaurus rex—standing at the side of the road, holding a makeshift sign that reads “Dino Needs a Ride!” Its bright green scales shimmer in the sunlight, and its large eyes radiate a mix of hope and excitement.
  
  People in the passing cars do double-takes, their jaws dropping at the sight of a real dinosaur hitchhiking in the modern world. Perhaps some tourists snap photos, while a few laugh at the absurdity of it all. The T. rex, despite not having the best experience with technology, seems undeterred, hoping someone will pick him up for an adventure across the bridge.
  
  As the 747 continues its flight, the sound of its engines is a noisy backdrop to this surreal scene, reminding everyone that no dinosaur ever heard a jet engine. This is an incredible blend of past and present, a dinosaur pleading for a ride as a modern marvel flies overhead.

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Enough! Scratch your head, get a cold beverage, and don’t forget what I told you, A-I lacks accountability.