I was playing around with GPT-4 and I wanted to see how good it is at creative writing dealing with complex ideas, so I gave it a fun task. Write rap battles between the characters of Ayn Rand's novels. The results turned out surprisingly good! That encouraged me to keep going until I had enough songs for a musical. I thought I would capture the results in a blog post, which makes it easier for me to share with my friends without having to copy-paste the results into chats.

Rap Battles

First I thought it would be fun if the heroes of Ayn Rand's two major books, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, had a rap battle. So I asked for a rap battle between Francisco D'Anconia, Howard Roark, and John Galt.

Howard Roark, Francisco D'Anconia, and John Galt

(Verse 1: Howard Roark)
Yo, I'm Howard Roark, the man who builds with might
I stand for independence, for the architect's right
I craft buildings with passion, in their purest form
The Fountainhead of vision, against the norm

(Verse 2: Francisco D'Anconia)
I'm Francisco D'Anconia, the richest man alive
The copper king, with style, watch my empire thrive
My money is my power, my intellect my guide
I turn my values into dollars, and I don't hide

(Chorus)
Three titans of industry, we're the masters of fate
Roark, D'Anconia, and Galt, the greats
In a world that's against us, we'll innovate
With every word we spit, we're here to create

(Verse 3: John Galt)
John Galt's the name, I'm the man who stopped the motor
The world in my hands, I'm the real promoter
I founded Atlantis, my haven for the able
A world without parasites, where our worth's undeniable

(Verse 4: Howard Roark)
Hey Galt, that's cool, but I stand on my own
My buildings rise high, and my talent is shown
I won't let them dictate what I create
For I'm the one who designs, not the one who takes

(Verse 5: Francisco D'Anconia)
My wealth ain't for me, it's for the ones who earn
A tool to fuel my dreams, a lesson they should learn
Roark, you got style, Galt, you got power
But with my billions, I'll build the highest tower

(Chorus)
Three titans of industry, we're the masters of fate
Roark, D'Anconia, and Galt, the greats
In a world that's against us, we'll innovate
With every word we spit, we're here to create

(Verse 6: John Galt)
My philosophy's my strength, my reason my guide
With logic and rationality, I'll never subside
Roark, you're the artist, Francisco, you're the tycoon
But I'm the one who created the world's greatest tune

(Bridge)
Roark, D'Anconia, Galt – united in our fight
To build a world that cherishes our individual light
In this rap battle, we're all winners, that's true
For we are the ones who'll lead the world anew

(Chorus)
Three titans of industry, we're the masters of fate
Roark, D'Anconia, and Galt, the greats
In a world that's against us, we'll innovate
With every word we spit, we're here to create

I was surprised at how good that was, so I wanted it to keep going. I heard from the men, now I wanted to hear from the women. I requested a response from the women without specifying which women, and GPT-4 did not disappoint.

Dagny Taggart, Dominique Francon, and Cheryl Taggart

(Verse 1: Dagny Taggart)
Dagny Taggart here, the lady of the rails
I built the John Galt Line, with speed that never fails
A woman of ambition, I stand on equal ground
With Roark, D'Anconia, and Galt, I'm also renowned

(Verse 2: Dominique Francon)
Dominique Francon, Roark's muse and partner in crime
I see beauty in his work, like a symphony in rhyme
Independent and strong, my spirit won't break
Together we'll create, for our own sake

(Chorus)
Taggart and Francon, we're the ladies of the game
In a world dominated by men, we'll never be the same
We'll break the chains and rise, for our liberty
In this battle of intellect, we claim victory

(Verse 3: Cheryl Taggart)
Cheryl Taggart speaking, once lost but now found
In a world of despair, I still stood my ground
I may have faltered, but my story's been told
A testament to strength, as my life unfolds

(Verse 4: Dagny Taggart)
Roark, you build the future, Francisco, you fund it
But I'm the one who keeps it moving, can't let it plummet
My train's unstoppable, I'll never be derailed
For the sake of the world, I'll ensure we prevail

(Verse 5: Dominique Francon)
Galt, your ideas inspire, your vision is clear
But let's not forget the women who've brought you here
Our minds are sharp, our spirits unbroken
In this world of strife, we are the golden token

(Chorus)
Taggart and Francon, we're the ladies of the game
In a world dominated by men, we'll never be the same
We'll break the chains and rise, for our liberty
In this battle of intellect, we claim victory

(Bridge)
Taggart, Francon, Cheryl – we stand tall and proud
In this battle of wits, our voices are loud
Together with Roark, D'Anconia, and Galt, we'll fight
For a world that values reason, and our individual right

(Chorus)
Taggart and Francon, we're the ladies of the game
In a world dominated by men, we'll never be the same
We'll break the chains and rise, for our liberty
In this battle of intellect, we claim victory

This is when I thought, if this were a musical the villains would say something too, so I told GPT exactly that. I requested a response by the villains without specifying who the villains were.

Ellsworth Toohey, James Taggart, and Wesley Mouch

(Verse 1: Ellsworth Toohey)
I'm Ellsworth Toohey, the voice of the masses
I manipulate minds, like a snake in the grasses
I preach altruism, to keep 'em all down
While I rise to the top, wearing my crown

(Verse 2: James Taggart)
James Taggart's the name, the cowardly brother
I ride on Dagny's coattails, while I smother
My own selfish motives, behind a facade
I'll sabotage progress, with a sinister nod

(Chorus)
Toohey and Taggart, we're the villains of this tale
As the heroes fight for freedom, we plot their derail
We'll twist their convictions, and make them feel small
In this rap musical, we'll have a ball

(Verse 3: Wesley Mouch)
Wesley Mouch here, I'm the government's tool
I make policies that choke, leaving heroes like fools
I'll tax their success, and bring them to their knees
In a world that's controlled, by men like me

(Verse 4: Ellsworth Toohey)
Roark, your buildings are fine, but you're just one man
I'll use the collective, to break your grand plan
My words are my weapon, my power's immense
I'll break down your spirit, with my dark influence

(Verse 5: James Taggart)
Galt, you think you can save them, but I know the truth
You're just a man with an idea, but I've got the noose
I'll strangle their dreams, and watch them all fall
In the end, it's the villains who'll stand tall

(Chorus)
Toohey and Taggart, we're the villains of this tale
As the heroes fight for freedom, we plot their derail
We'll twist their convictions, and make them feel small
In this rap musical, we'll have a ball

(Bridge)
Toohey, Taggart, Mouch – we're the darkness that lurks
In the shadows of progress, where destruction smirks
We'll oppose our heroes, with cunning and guile
In this rap musical, we'll make them revile

(Chorus)
Toohey and Taggart, we're the villains of this tale
As the heroes fight for freedom, we plot their derail
We'll twist their convictions, and make them feel small
In this rap musical, we'll have a ball

Complete the Musical

At this point, I thought, hey! I could actually turn this into a musical if I add a few more songs! So I asked for an intro, a climax, and a conclusion to complete a minimum viable musical.

Here is the first song, the one where the heroes are introduced.

Introduction: The World We'll Shape

(Title: "The World We'll Shape")

(Verse 1: Ensemble)
In a world of strife and struggle, where dreams are chained and bound
We stand as living testaments, to the greatness we have found
A clash of minds, of passion, of visionaries taking flight
We're the heroes of our story, in a battle for what's right

(Chorus: Ensemble)
We're Roark, D'Anconia, Galt, Taggart, Francon, and the rest
In this world that's against us, we'll put our will to the test
With each choice that we make, and the values we embrace
We're the architects of destiny, the world we'll shape

(Verse 2: Howard Roark)
I'm Howard Roark, the architect, my buildings touch the sky
My passion is my compass, my creations never die
I fight for independence, my vision pure and strong
In this world of conformity, I know where I belong

(Verse 3: Francisco D'Anconia)
Francisco D'Anconia, the copper king, my fortune knows no bounds
I wield my wealth for freedom, breaking chains that keep us down
My intellect's my weapon, my ambition fuels my fire
In this world of mediocrity, I'll never tire

(Chorus: Ensemble)
We're Roark, D'Anconia, Galt, Taggart, Francon, and the rest
In this world that's against us, we'll put our will to the test
With each choice that we make, and the values we embrace
We're the architects of destiny, the world we'll shape

(Verse 4: John Galt)
John Galt is my name, the man who stopped the motor of the world
My philosophy, my beacon, my ideas have unfurled
I've built a haven for the able, where our talents can be free
In this world of parasites, we'll find our destiny

(Verse 5: Dagny Taggart)
I'm Dagny Taggart, railroad queen, my trains will never fail
I stand for progress, innovation, on the tracks that I have laid
I fight for what is right, my spirit never bends
In this world of compromise, I'll fight until the end

(Verse 6: Dominique Francon)
Dominique Francon, Roark's muse, I see the beauty in his art
Together we will challenge, the world that keeps us apart
We'll fight for our convictions, our love will never fade
In this world of pain and struggle, our dreams will never wane

(Chorus: Ensemble)
We're Roark, D'Anconia, Galt, Taggart, Francon, and the rest
In this world that's against us, we'll put our will to the test
With each choice that we make, and the values we embrace
We're the architects of destiny, the world we'll shape

(Bridge: Ensemble)
Together we'll fight, our voices united and strong
For a world that values reason, where our minds can belong
In this story of ambition, of dreams that never rest
We're the heroes of our destiny, we'll face the test

(Chorus: Ensemble)
We're Roark, D'Anconia, Galt, Taggart, Francon, and the rest
In this world that's against us, we'll put our will to the test
With each choice that we make, and the values we embrace
We're the architects of destiny, the world we'll shape

Here is the climax of the musical.

Climax: The Triumph of the Mind

(Title: "The Triumph of the Mind")

(Verse 1: John Galt)
The world is at a crossroads, the darkness closing in
But in the face of tyranny, we will not let it win
Our minds, our greatest weapon, a force that can't be chained
We'll stand against the shadows, and watch the light regain

(Verse 2: Dagny Taggart)
I've battled for my railroad, my passion burning bright
The weight of the world upon me, but I'll never lose this fight
With Galt and all our allies, we'll forge a brand new day
Where freedom and achievement are the values that will stay

(Verse 3: Howard Roark)
My buildings stand as symbols, of the triumph of the mind
In a world that tried to break me, I've risen, unconfined
Together, we are stronger, our dreams will never cease
We'll build a future brighter, where our minds are free

(Chorus: Ensemble)
The triumph of the mind, our victory is near
As we stand united, we will conquer fear
Our passions, our convictions, will light the path ahead
In the world that we're creating, our spirits will be fed

(Verse 4: Francisco D'Anconia)
I've used my wealth for freedom, for the visionaries' cause
Together, we'll rewrite the rules, and break the chains of flaws
With Galt and all our brothers, our sisters by our side
We'll change the world forever, with our hearts open wide

(Verse 5: Dominique Francon)
Our love and dedication, fuel the fire that we share
In a world that tried to cage us, we've broken free, laid bare
We'll fight for our convictions, our dreams will be our guide
In this world of our creation, our love will never hide

(Bridge: Ensemble)
The time has come for heroes, to rise and take a stand
To claim our birthright, freedom, and shape this wondrous land
With courage and determination, we'll march towards the sun
The triumph of the mind, our victory has begun

(Chorus: Ensemble)
The triumph of the mind, our victory is near
As we stand united, we will conquer fear
Our passions, our convictions, will light the path ahead
In the world that we're creating, our spirits will be fed

(Outro: Ensemble)
The dawn is breaking, our world reborn anew
Our dreams will light the way, as we forge a world so true
The triumph of the mind, our story's grand crescendo
In the world that we have shaped, our legacy will grow

And here is the conclusion.

Conclusion: A New World Begins

(Title: "A New World Begins")

(Verse 1: John Galt)
We've fought the fight, we've won the day, our minds and hearts set free
A world reborn, from strife and chains, a shining destiny
We've proven that our vision, is a force that can't be tamed
Now in this world we're building, our values are proclaimed

(Verse 2: Dagny Taggart)
My railroad shines, a beacon, of progress and success
A testament to what we've built, our dreams we won't suppress
Together we'll keep moving, forging pathways in the sky
In this new world that we've shaped, our dreams will never die

(Verse 3: Howard Roark)
My buildings rise, unyielding, symbols of our will
In this world of our creation, our passions we'll fulfill
Our triumph over darkness, the journey now complete
We'll stand upon the summit, our victory so sweet

(Chorus: Ensemble)
A new world begins, our dreams and visions thrive
Together we'll stand tall, our spirits so alive
Our passion and conviction, the essence of our fight
In this world that we've created, our future shines so bright

(Verse 4: Francisco D'Anconia)
With wealth and wisdom wielded, our freedom now secure
We'll foster innovation, and let our minds endure
No longer bound by shackles, we'll soar beyond the skies
In this new world that we've shaped, our greatness will arise

(Verse 5: Dominique Francon)
Our love unbroken, stronger, with every passing day
In this world we've built together, our hearts will always stay
The struggles we've encountered, have forged our love anew
In this world of our design, our happiness will bloom

(Bridge: Ensemble)
We've triumphed over hardship, our voices raised in song
A new world dawns before us, where our minds and hearts belong
With hope and determination, we'll build our legacy
In this world of our creation, we'll live and love, so free

(Chorus: Ensemble)
A new world begins, our dreams and visions thrive
Together we'll stand tall, our spirits so alive
Our passion and conviction, the essence of our fight
In this world that we've created, our future shines so bright

(Outro: Ensemble)
The curtain falls, our story told, our journey at its end
But in the hearts and minds of all, the spark of life we'll send
For in the world we've built, our dreams will never fade
A new world begins, our legacy displayed

Start From Scratch

I was blown away by how easy it was to get GPT to write something that looks pretty good to me as a non-musician. But the whole thing started haphazardly with rap battles, and also it was mixing characters from two books. So I wanted to see what would happen if I were to start with the intention of creating a musical upfront for one book only.

So I told GPT to disregard everything it had written so far and start from scratch. We were going to design a musical for Atlas Shrugged. First, I asked for an outline of what the musical would be. The songs, and what the songs are about.

Outline for Atlas Shrugged Musical

1. The World in Motion 
(Introduction to the setting and characters)

2. The Silent Disappearances 
(Mysterious vanishing of key individuals)

3. Dagny's Determination 
(Dagny's vision for the railroad and her passion for progress)

4. Francisco's Double Life 
(Francisco's seemingly carefree lifestyle and his hidden purpose)

5. The Weight of the World 
(Dagny's struggle to keep the railroad running as the world crumbles)

6. The Secrets of Galt's Gulch 
(The discovery of Galt's Gulch and the brilliant minds who live there)

7. The Power of the Motor 
(The revolutionary motor and its significance)

8. The Love That Binds 
(Dagny's relationship with Hank Rearden and her love for John Galt)

9. The Villains' Plots 
(The schemes of James Taggart, Wesley Mouch, and other antagonists)

10. The Unseen Influence 
(Hints at the larger force orchestrating events, without revealing the strike)

11. The Speech That Changed the World 
(John Galt's iconic speech)

12. The Triumph of the Mind 
(The climax of the story, celebrating the power of the human spirit)

13. A New World Begins 
(The conclusion, looking forward to a brighter future)

Pretty good outline!

At this point I had two choices, generate each song one at a time which would have taken a lot of time, or just ask GPT-4 to write all the songs in one run and hope for the best. I didn't really want to commit all the time and resources to go song by song, so I just asked for all the songs at once. It only gave me two verses per song, but it did write the whole musical for me in one try!

Atlas Shrugged Musical

1. "The World in Motion"
(Verse 1: Ensemble)
In a world of steel and steam, the gears of progress turn
Entrepreneurs and dreamers build, a brighter world they yearn
The Taggart line, a shining hope, connecting far and wide
The pulse of life, the backbone strong, a symbol of our pride
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The world in motion, driven by the mind
The power of invention, the spark of humankind
Dreams and aspirations, fuel the engines of our time
In this world in motion, our destinies aligned

2. "The Silent Disappearances"
(Verse 1: Dagny)
In whispers and in shadows, they vanish one by one
The minds that once ignited, like the rising of the sun
Their absence leaves a void, a world that starts to fray
What force could tear them from us, and lead them all astray?
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The silent disappearances, a mystery untold
The brightest lights extinguished, their stories left untold
What secret binds them all, what force could make them fall?
The silent disappearances, a question to us all

3. "Dagny's Determination"
(Verse 1: Dagny)
I've dreamt of rails and bridges, a world that's bound by steel
The Taggart line, my legacy, a vision I'll make real
With every track I lay, I'll fight to keep it strong
For progress and prosperity, I'll struggle all day long
(Chorus: Dagny)
My determination, a fire that won't be tamed
I'll stand against the darkness, and see my dream proclaimed
For every mile I conquer, my spirit will not bend
With determination, I'll see this journey to the end

4. "Francisco's Double Life"
(Verse 1: Francisco)
They see a man of leisure, a playboy with no care
But underneath the surface, there's more than meets their stare
I've walked a path in secret, a mission to uphold
In shadows and deception, my true intent unfolds
(Chorus: Francisco)
This double life I'm living, a choice I've had to make
A sacrifice for freedom, a future I won't break
With every step I've taken, my purpose has been clear
In this double life, I'll change the world, and conquer fear

5. "The Weight of the World"
(Verse 1: Dagny)
The weight of the world upon me, as I struggle to hold on
The forces that conspire against me, but still, I must be strong
My railroad's my salvation, my purpose and my fight
I'll bear this burden willingly, through darkness and through light
(Chorus: Dagny)
The weight of the world, it's heavy, but I'll stand
I'll fight for my convictions, for the future that I've planned
With every challenge faced, my spirit will not sway
The weight of the world, I'll carry, till I see a brighter day

6. "The Secrets of Galt's Gulch"
(Verse 1: Galt)
A hidden valley of the mind, a refuge for the wise
In Galt's Gulch, a sanctuary, where brilliance never dies
The minds that have gone missing, have found a home at last
In this haven of the gifted, where the world's troubles are past
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The secrets of Galt's Gulch, a mystery unveiled
The brightest and the boldest, in this refuge, they've prevailed
A sanctuary for dreamers, where innovation thrives
The secrets of Galt's Gulch, where the spirit survives

7. "The Power of the Motor"
(Verse 1: Dagny)
This motor holds the future, a power yet untold
A symbol of the genius, that once the world did hold
We'll find the mind behind it, and bring them to the light
For in this motor's secret, our future takes its flight
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The power of the motor, a testament to the mind
A revolution waiting, a world of progress to find
With every spark and turn, a promise to unfold
The power of the motor, a story yet untold

8. "The Love That Binds"
(Verse 1: Dagny)
In Rearden's arms, I found a strength, a partnership in steel
Together we have built and fought, a love that's strong and real
But in Galt's gaze, I see a fire, a passion unexplored
A love that binds my heart and soul, a connection I can't ignore
(Chorus: Dagny)
The love that binds, it holds me tight, it pulls me to the core
With every touch and every glance, I long for something more
In Rearden's strength and Galt's resolve, I've found my heart's desire
The love that binds, forever strong, an everlasting fire

9. "The Villains' Plots"
(Verse 1: James Taggart & Wesley Mouch)
We scheme behind the curtains, the world within our grasp
We'll seize control, manipulate, and hold the future fast
The weak will bow before us, and all will heed our call
In shadows and deception, we'll watch the heroes fall
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The villains' plots, they twist and turn, the darkness on the rise
In greed and fear, they take control, their motives in disguise
With every step, they undermine, the world we strive to save
The villains' plots, a deadly game, the world we must unchain

10. "The Unseen Influence"
(Verse 1: Ensemble)
An unseen force is guiding us, a presence we can't see
It whispers in the shadows, a power yet to be
We feel it all around us, a hand that shapes our fate
The unseen influence that binds us, as we struggle to create
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The unseen influence, a secret yet to find
The force that drives the world we know, the power of the mind
With every breath, we search for truth, a purpose to unveil
The unseen influence, a mystery we must unveil

11. "The Speech That Changed the World"
(Verse 1: Galt)
I stand before you now, my friends, to speak the truth untold
A world that's lost its way, a tale that must be bold
I'll share the wisdom of the ages, the power of the mind
The speech that changed the world, and left the darkness far behind
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The speech that changed the world, the words that lit the flame
A call to arms for all who hear, to never be the same
In Galt's resounding message, we find our hope renewed
The speech that changed the world, a path to be pursued

12. "The Triumph of the Mind"
(Verse 1: Ensemble)
The time has come for us to rise, to stand as one united
Our minds and hearts, in unison, a world that's reignited
We'll break the chains that bind us, and cast the darkness out
The triumph of the mind, our victory, there's no doubt
(Chorus: Ensemble)
The triumph of the mind, a celebration of the soul
A testament to human will, the force that makes us whole
We'll forge a new tomorrow, a future strong and bright
The triumph of the mind, our beacon in the night

13. "A New World Begins"
(Verse 1: Ensemble)
The dawn breaks on a new world, a future yet unknown
With every step we take, the seeds of change are sown
We'll build upon the ashes, a brighter world in sight
A new world begins today, and we'll make it right
(Chorus: Ensemble)
A new world begins, a promise to fulfill
With every breath, we'll forge ahead, our dreams and hopes distilled
In unity and purpose, we'll create a world that's free
A new world begins, where we're all meant to be

If I was really serious about writing a musical I could keep going, but this is already a long post and writing a real musical was not my intention. To continue I could ask GPT-4 to write full songs for each of the parts where it gave me only two paragraphs, play with the outline, take some of the material I like from the other songs, etc. But that is best left as an exercise to the reader.

Discussion

This was a very interesting experiment, it convinced me that GPT-4 can handle complex ideas, generate novel content, and maintain the essence of the concepts and the format for a whole musical, not just one song.

What's very cool is that GPT-4 managed to work with Ayn Rand's ideas, which are probably not well represented in the data it was trained on or among the engineers who developed the model. Nevertheless, it seems like GPT-4 can be objective and is not necessarily biased by its training data or the opinions of the people behind it if you know how to ask for what you want.

So it makes sense to spend time learning how to ask for what you want and get good at it because GPT-4 and its descendants are here to stay.