How to Survive a “Purge,” According to ChatGPT

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump raised eyebrows at a recent campaign rally by calling for “a really violent day” to crack down on shoplifting.

While his comments sparked criticism and comparisons to the dystopian film franchise The purgethey also sparked an interesting thought experiment: how could anyone actually survive such an event?

The purge is a series of dystopian thrillers set in near-future America (the first stars Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey). The central concept is that for one night a year, all crime becomes legal for 12 hours, including murder. The government sanctions this event, called “the Purge”, as a means believed to reduce crime rates and unemployment for the rest of the year.

Since inquisitive minds want to know, we turned to AI assistant ChatGPT for some survival tips. Here’s what OpenAI’s intelligent chatbot had to say about surviving a hypothetical Purge scenario.

ChatGPT Purge Survival Guide

ChatGPT approached the task with its characteristic thoroughness, offering a comprehensive guide that would make even the most paranoid preppers nod in agreement. The AI’s advice focused on three main phases: preparation before the purge, during the purge, and post-purge actions.

Preparation before the purge: location, location, fortification

ChatGPT’s first tip? Choose your battlefield wisely. The AI ​​suggests choosing a secure location with “reinforced structures, limited access points, and ideally no windows on the ground floor.” So the penthouses and bunkers are in, the garden apartments are out.

Once you’ve chosen your fortress, it’s time to go all-in with Kevin McCallister. The IA recommends installing “robust metal shutters, security doors and window bars.” He also advises creating a secure room with “multiple locks” and a “hidden entrance.” Because sleeping in an anti-panic room guarantees peace of mind.

Also bring snacks and other supplies. “Have at least a week’s worth of nonperishable food and water for all occupants” and “Stock up with a first aid kit, prescription medications, and emergency trauma equipment.”

What if you defended yourself? ChatGPT is cautious: “Depending on the legal and ethical context, equip yourself with self-defense weapons, such as pepper spray, Tasers or firearms. Know how to use them well.”

During the purge: Shh, be very, very quiet

When the sirens sound and the Purge begins, ChatGPT’s advice boils down to: stay silent, be invisible, and be prepared. The AI ​​suggests reducing visibility and noise, constantly monitoring your surroundings, and maintaining radio silence unless absolutely necessary. It’s like a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek, in which the seeker is armed and possibly psychotic.

“Do not use any communication devices unless absolutely necessary. Broadcasts could reveal your location… When coordinating with others, use encrypted communication or predefined signals,” advises ChatGPT.

He also gives advice on whether to engage or evade: “Only engage intruders if you are confident you can neutralize the threat and you have no safer option. If your position is invaded , plan an immediate, stealthy exit. Use smoke grenades, distractions, or decoys to cover your retreat.

Smoke grenades? You forgot to tell us to stock up on it in the pre-Purge advice section, ChatGPT!

Post-purge: Don’t trust anyone (for a while)

Safety First: ChatGPT says to “wait for an official announcement confirming the end of the purge before leaving your safe zone.” And check for traps or other lingering hazards outside your basement/bunker/Cybertruck/wherever you’ve decided to camp.

Even after the clear signal, ChatGPT recommends caution. “Some may exploit the transition period to continue violence before order is fully restored,” the text warns. The IA recommends waiting for official confirmation before venturing outside and carrying out a “psychological check of all occupants to address trauma”. Because nothing says a fun night out like a group therapy session after a run-in with lawless violence.

ChatGPT is a little too ambitious with the post-Purge advice: “Revise and improve: analyze what worked and what didn’t. Adjust your plan for future Purge scenarios.” A debrief is probably the last thing survivors would want to discuss at this point.

Trump’s Comments Vs. The purge: Similar, but different

Some social media users were quick to compare Trump’s suggestion to The purge. Harris-supporting user @ArmandDoma, co-founder of YIMBYs for Harris, a Kamala Harris fundraising group focused on affordable housing, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Trump is literally proposing The Purge lmao.”

Another user @krassenstein, a prominent pro-Harris influencer and Trump critic, wrote: “Did Trump just suggest ‘The Purge’?” Trump suggests his idea for ending crime is to allow “one really.” violent day…I mean really difficult…”

Although Trump’s call for “a really violent day” to fight crime has led to comparisons, there are some key differences. In the film franchise, all crimes are legal for 12 hours, while Trump suggested a brief period of intense law enforcement.

The film depicts violence between citizens, while Trump’s comments imply state-sponsored action. However, the underlying concept of using extreme, time-limited violence as a deterrent is similar in both cases.

It should be noted that Trump’s comments focused on shoplifting, not all crimes, and were widely criticized. His campaign then clarified that he emphasized the importance of enforcing existing laws. Meanwhile, fact-checkers pointed out that his claims about California’s shoplifting laws were inaccurate.