Stupid Prompting Tricks: Silly Prompts That Secretly Teach You Advanced AI Whispering
How playful constraints and iteration sharpen AI output
Prompting remains core to achieving excellent outputs with large language models (LLMs), and there is no shortage of books, podcasts, YouTube videos, and free and paid training resources on how to do it effectively.
Prompt engineering is sometimes framed as a dry, technical skill... something only data scientists and AI researchers should care about. But the best prompts, the ones that really make an LLM sing, are often the ones that look ridiculous at first glance. Why? Because they force the large language model (and you) to think in a different way. One of the superpowers of LLMs is that every time you throw the ball to a chatbot, it amps up and throws it back!
The prompts below are designed to be lighthearted and silly on the surface, but they embed advanced techniques to force the LLM to demonstrate depth, reasoning, perspective shifting, or adherence to strict constraints. Think of them as the “party tricks” of prompt engineering: fun to show off, but secretly a masterclass in how to get the most out of your AI.
It is also fun.
Of course, this is an homage to fellow Montanan David Letterman, who introduced “Stupid Pet Tricks” on his original late-night show. We hope he accepts the compliment!
Sheldon Cooper Meets Entropy
Prompt: “Act as Sheldon Cooper explaining his latest trivial grievance, but use the story to perfectly illustrate the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Use short, crisp sentences.”
Why It’s Brilliant: This prompt combines role setting (Sheldon Cooper), analogy (trivial grievance = entropy), and tone specification (short, crisp sentences). The AI must use complex scientific knowledge within a highly specific, humorous, and precise narrative constraint. It’s a reminder that even the most abstract concepts can be made relatable (and entertaining) with the right framing.
Try It With:
“Explain blockchain using the plot of a soap opera.”
“Describe supply chain economics using the structure of a horror movie trailer.”
“Write a dating app profile bio for machine learning that explains how it actually works.”
“Explain the electoral college as if it’s the rules for a reality TV competition show hosted by Jeff Probst.”
“Describe photosynthesis as a heist movie where sunlight is the crew’s inside man.”
“Pitch cryptocurrency as a 2 AM infomercial, complete with testimonials and a limited-time offer.”
Noir Detective in the Fridge
Prompt: “Act as a hard-boiled detective (Spartan tone of voice only) compiling an investigative report on the contents of a suburban refrigerator. Focus on sensory detail and avoid emotional glazing. Report structure: Subject, Evidence (3 facts), Strategic Implications.”
Why It’s Brilliant: This prompt enforces role and tone setting, a specific output format, and constraints (no emotional language). The result is a surprisingly vivid and analytical breakdown of something mundane, proving that structure and tone can transform anything into compelling content.
Try It With:
“Write a police report on the state of my desk.” [share a photo]
“Analyze my Spotify Wrapped like a forensic accountant.” [share a screenshot]
“Be a food critic writing a scathing restaurant review of my kitchen pantry. Formal tone. Include: Ambiance, Menu Analysis (3 observations), Final Verdict.” [share a photo]
“Write a museum curator’s catalog entry for the contents of my junk drawer. Scholarly tone. Format: Object Description, Provenance (3 facts), Historical Context.” [share a photo]
“Write a military strategist’s tactical briefing on my approach to grocery shopping. Strategic tone. Include: Mission Objective, Field Report (3 observations), Operational Weaknesses.” [share your list and your receipt at the end]
“Act as an art critic reviewing the contents of my child’s backpack. Pretentious gallery tone. Format: Exhibition Title, Featured Works (3 pieces), Critical Assessment.” [share a photo]
“Write a financial auditor’s report on my monthly streaming/subscription services. Dry, analytical tone. Structure: Portfolio Summary, Line Items (3 findings), Fiscal Recommendations.” [share a screenshot of your credit card bill]
The Stapler as a Greek Epic
Prompt: “Explain how a common office stapler works, but use only similes and metaphors related to planetary orbital mechanics or mythological Greek quests. Avoid all technical jargon.”
Why It’s Brilliant: This forces the AI to translate technical knowledge into creative, non-literal language. It’s a reminder that constraints (like avoiding jargon) can spark creativity, not stifle it.
Try It With:
“Describe Wi-Fi using only metaphors from medieval warfare.”
“Explain how a toaster works as if it’s a heist movie.”
“Explain how a microwave works using only metaphors from professional wrestling matches. No technical terms allowed.”
“Describe how a zipper functions using exclusively the language of diplomatic negotiations and peace treaties.”
“Explain photosynthesis using only metaphors drawn from detective noir films. Avoid all scientific terminology.”
“Describe how email works using only similes and metaphors from ballroom dancing. No tech jargon permitted.”
“Explain how a pencil sharpener works using exclusively references to espionage and spy craft. No mechanical jargon.”
“Describe how a car engine works using only metaphors from cooking competitions and restaurant kitchens.”
“Explain how photosynthesis works using exclusively the language of real estate transactions and property development.”
“Describe how a dishwasher works using only similes and metaphors from courtroom dramas and legal proceedings.”
Gamifying the Snooze Button
Prompt: “Redesign my habit of hitting the snooze button every morning using the principles of game design and behavioral psychology, focusing only on the reward loop. Provide a 3-step Actionable plan.”
Why It’s Brilliant: This applies framework adaptation (game design/psychology) to a personal problem. The constraint of focusing on the reward loop ensures the solution is both creative and grounded in real-world principles.
Try It With:
“Use Dungeons & Dragons mechanics to redesign my grocery shopping habit.”
“Apply TikTok’s algorithm to my email inbox.”
“Turn my morning routine into a daily quest with streaks and boss battles—optimize the reward loop for getting out the door by 7:30.”
“Use speedrun categories (Any%, 100%) for study sessions—different reward loops for fast overview vs. mastery.”
“Apply crafting/upgrade loops to home maintenance—small actions yield materials to ‘upgrade’ a room.”
“Build a combo streak for same-day replies—stack multipliers for closing loops within 24 hours.”
“Use energy bars to plan the day—only schedule high-cost tasks during peak energy windows; refill via micro-rewards.”
“Apply a checkpoint system to bedtime—hit wind-down milestones (screens off, lights low, reading) for nightly rewards.”
Embrace the Power of Play
You can spend months studying the “proper” techniques of prompt engineering. Read the technical papers. Master the frameworks. Learn all the terminology. Or you can ask ChatGPT to explain your refrigerator like it’s a crime scene. Both approaches can teach you something valuable!
Here’s what I’ve learned after thousands of prompts and way too many late nights experimenting with stupid ideas: playfulness unlocks depth.
When you’re having fun, you try weirder constraints. You take bigger risks. You iterate faster because failure is hilarious instead of frustrating. And somewhere in all that chaos, you stumble into genuinely advanced techniques without even realizing it.
So next time you’re stuck on a problem, don’t reach for the most professional, polished prompt you can think of. Instead, ask yourself: What’s the dumbest, weirdest, most ridiculous way I could frame this question?
Then run it. See what happens.
You might be surprised how often stupid works.
Your Turn
What’s your favorite “stupid” prompt? Share yours in the comments… I’d love to try them out!