Finnley Dolfin

If you grew up in the 90s like me, chances are you remember the many hours of cartoons on different networks. You know, the ones that you rushed home from school to watch on every television network. For me, it was the Disney Afternoon on KCAL-9, Fox Kids on KTTV-11, and of course, Kids WB on KTLA-5. Kids WB had Animaniacs which was one of, and still is one of my favorite cartoons. Animaniacs was different from the rest. Even as a kid, I could tell that it wasn’t just another cartoon. It had a sophisticated humor that was beyond its time, and it wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries with its physical comedy, reminiscent of Looney Tunes. Of course, the Warner Brothers and their sister, Dot, were the stars of the show. But my absolute favorite bits were Pinky & The Brain. The theme song was so catchy that it would get stuck in my head for days on end, and the back and forth between Pinky and The Brain never failed to make me laugh.

Now, fast forward to 2023 I was thrilled when I discovered that Animaniacs had been rebooted on Hulu. We also find ourselves in the age of artificial intelligence. I am watching an episode from the third season reboot when it hits me: Could AI even come up with responses to The Brain’s famous question, “Pinky, are you pondering what I’m pondering?” I couldn’t help but reflect on how far technology had come and what I have already used ChatGPT for such as help debugging programs, discovering free open APIs I never knew existed, and other utilitarian things. But how would it handle writing non-sequitur and sometimes meta humor like that found in Animaniacs?

After a quick search, I found a website that had documented all of Pinky’s responses to The Brain’s question, which I dubbed Pinkyisms. I cleaned up the list and kept only the one-liners, removing the episode names from the quotes. Then, I challenged ChatGPT to come up with 40 more answers to The Brain’s question. Could it do it?

Well, here are the results. Let me know what you think in the comments and which, if any, you can imagine Pinky saying to The Brain when asked that question.

I think so, Brain! But have you seen the latest memes?

I think so, Brain! But how do we make sure this trend doesn't get us cancelled?

I think so, Brain! But what's our hashtag going to be?

I think so, Brain, but can't we just ask the genie for more wishes?

I think so, Brain, but do we really need to find a needle in a haystack? Can't we just buy a new one?

I think so, Brain, but do we really need to learn the Macarena?

I think so, Brain, but do we really need to wear this much plaid?

I think so, Brain, but how can we make sure that our feet don't turn into pumpkins at midnight?

I think so, Brain, but how do we convince the fish to wear sunglasses?

I think so, Brain, but how do we convince the kangaroo to wear a tuxedo?

I think so, Brain, but how do we get the giraffes to come down from the trees?

I think so, Brain, but how do we teach a koala to play the bagpipes?

I think so, Brain, but how do you make a BLT without lettuce and tomato?

I think so, Brain, but how many people can fit in a phone booth these days?

I think so, Brain, but how will we fit a giant pizza through the door?
 
I think so, Brain, but how will we get a bobsled up to the top of the Eiffel Tower?

I think so, Brain, but how will we know If the aliens like our potato salad?

I think so, Brain, but I don't think the elephant will fit in the bathtub. 

I think so, Brain, but I don't think the horse will agree to wear the tutu. 

I think so, Brain, but I’m not sure I’m ready for a career as a professional hula-hooper.

I think so, Brain, but If we switch places, who will be Pinky and who will be the Brain?

I think so, Brain, but If we're supposed to be vegetarians, why are we wearing leather jackets?

I think so, Brain, but is It ethical to put a monocle on a goldfish?

I think so, Brain, but Is It possible to play a game of chess using only fruit?

I think so, Brain, but Isn’t a hot dog just a sandwich in denial?

I think so, Brain, but Isn’t It hard to play hopscotch in zero gravity?

I think so, Brain, but Isn't It Illegal to park a spaceship on the street? 

I think so, Brain, but Isn't It Illegal to ride a unicycle on the highway?

I think so, Brain, but what If we accidentally Invented time travel and didn't even realize It?

I think so, Brain, but what If we get stuck in the middle of a sharknado? 

I think so, Brain, but where are we going to find a penguin wearing a sombrero? 

I think so, Brain, but why do they call It a chicken Kiev?

I think so, Brain, but why do they call It a pineapple when It’s neither pine nor apple?

I think so, Brain, but why do they called rush hour If nobody's going anywhere fast?

I think so, Brain, but will the platypus ever really be accepted by the duck-billed community?

I think so, Brain, but will the world ever be ready for a polka-rap fusion?

I think so, Brain, but won't the kazoo be too loud for the library?

I think so, Brain, but won't the swordfish be hard to catch without a sword?

I think so, Brain, but wouldn’t It be easier to just train the hamsters to juggle?

I think so, Brain, but wouldn't a pogo stick with a spring made from spaghetti be a recipe for disaster?