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Like most places of work, the office here at 2OV is a weird space filled with lively debate. Much sharpening of our collective wit is done around the tequila cooler daily, as we rehash old arguments, give birth to new ideas, or as was the case this morning – field ideas on how to avoid Seth’s latest teambuilding idea.

Floating down the editorial river this year is a plan to drop all of us somewhere in the Knysna forest, armed with only a paperclip and an empty Fieldbar. The survivors of Seth’s version of Naked And Afraid will receive a day off work. I hope it’s me this year.

Let’s forget for a moment about Seth and his banjo, lest we get distracted from this morning’s tequila cooler conundrum.

A heated and highbrow debate had broken out as we sipped our morning Jose Cuervo around the air hockey table – Why is it that Batman and Spiderman have found themselves floating to the top of the superhero toilet bowl? They’re not even the strongest of the DC duvet covers. Batman doesn’t even have powers, just loads of cash. If Elon Musk wasn’t so weird and didn’t have so many kids, he could have been the Dark Knight.

Soon we had all reached our contractually required level of inebriation, and things got a wee bit testy, so we decided to do what writers do when confronted with a Socratese-level predicament. As ChatGPT.

We managed to successfully install ChatGPT on one of the old Mecers earlier this year and have kept it under a solar blanket since then – so retrieving it was quick and easy. Once plugged in and booted up, we congregated around it as the Mayans once stood around Cortés, and asked the big question:

Why are Batman and Spiderman more popular than other superheroes?

After likely scanning our DNA for later cloning, it said:

Relatable Origins: Both Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Spider-Man (Peter Parker) have relatable and human origins. Batman is a billionaire who uses his wealth to fight crime, while Spider-Man is a young, average guy who gains his powers through a spider bite. These origins make them more relatable to audiences.

Strong Character Development: Batman and Spider-Man have well-developed characters with complex personalities, struggles, and flaws. This depth adds to their appeal and allows for rich storytelling.

Iconic Rogues’ Gallery: Both heroes have a memorable rogues gallery of villains, such as the Joker, the Green Goblin, and the Penguin, which contributes to their enduring popularity.

Versatility: Batman and Spider-Man can adapt to various storylines and genres, from dark and gritty crime dramas to lighthearted adventures. This versatility allows them to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

High-Quality Storytelling: Over the years, both Batman and Spider-Man have been featured in numerous comic book series, TV shows, and movies with compelling storytelling and character development.

Cultural Impact: Batman and Spider-Man have had a significant impact on popular culture. They have become iconic symbols, recognized worldwide, which has helped maintain their popularity over decades.

Moral Values: Both characters uphold strong moral values and a sense of justice, which resonates with many fans.

Longevity: Batman and Spider-Man have been around for many decades, allowing for generational appeal and the introduction of new fans over time.

Marketing and Merchandising: Effective marketing and a wide range of merchandise have also played a role in their sustained popularity.

“These factors, among others, have contributed to Batman and Spider-Man’s enduring status as two of the most beloved and iconic superheroes in the world.”

Suth sayeth the AI. The robot did make a lot of sense, and for now, it seems to have put to bed an argument that could have torn our ragtag team of misfits apart. So, hooray for AI, I guess?

Maybe in future we will ask it more questions, but as of lunchtime, Skynet is back in the cupboard with the solar blanket draped over it. But we can still hear it buzzing away softly in our heads. It may also just be the tequila.

Suddenly being naked and afraid while Seth serenades us with his banjo seems so much better. So much more human.