Local Stories
What three ingredients make a local story successful?
We asked ChatGPT to provide answers from a list of America’s best storytellers: Oprah Winfrey, Hunter S. Thompson, and Virginia Woolf. Illustration via LocalPigeon.com's Midjourney art, styled by David Mann.
“You know, when it comes to local stories, there are three key ingredients that make it truly successful. First and foremost, relevance. A story has to matter to the community it’s about, it has to hit close to home and make people sit up and pay attention. Without relevance, it’s just a headline, a passing fancy.
Second, authenticity. A story has to be real, it has to be reported with honesty and integrity. It has to be the truth, not just some version of it. Without authenticity, it’s just hearsay, gossip.
And last but not least, engagement. A story has to be about the people, it has to give them a voice and let them share their own experiences. It has to make them feel seen and heard. Without engagement, it’s just a monologue, not a conversation.”
“When it comes to local stories, there are three ingredients that make it worth a damn. First and foremost, you gotta have relevance. It’s got to be a story that hits home, that makes people give a damn about what’s going on in their own backyard. Without relevance, it’s just another boring news piece, and who gives a shit about that?
Second, it’s gotta be authentic. No sugarcoating, no bullshitting, just the straight-up truth. It’s gotta be reported with gonzo-style journalism, where you get in there and see it for yourself. Without authenticity, it’s just propaganda, and that’s for the birds.
And last but not least, engagement. The story has to be about the people, the freaks and the weirdos, the people who make the community what it is. It’s gotta be a story that they can relate to, that they can sink their teeth into. Without engagement, it’s just another boring story, and that’s the last thing we need.”
“A successful local story, one might say, is a delicate balance of three essential ingredients. First, there is relevance. A story must be of import to the community it concerns, it must strike a chord in the hearts of the people, and it must matter to their daily lives. Without relevance, a story is but a mere trifle, a fleeting and inconsequential thing.
Second, there is authenticity. A story must be true, it must be reported with the utmost integrity and objectivity. Without authenticity, a story is but a mere fabrication, a falsehood that serves only to mislead and deceive.
Lastly, there is engagement. A story must involve the community, it must give voice to the people, and it must provide a platform for their perspectives and experiences. Without engagement, a story is but a one-sided narrative, a tale told by an outsider looking in.”
LocalPigeon.com's Midjourney art, styled by Yaoy Kusama.
