Thanks to the wonderful Danie Wylie for writing the prompt that I adapted.
Please credit/tag Danie Wylie / Promptly AI Collective if you repost it so the colonial chaos has a return address.
Danie Wylie • Promptly AI Collective • Backyard Broadcast • 2026
Just did, Danie.
Thank you.
You are most welcome.
I didn’t say that. You made that up. And you’re making this up. I’m sending Nami after you.
You know Nami wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Prompt version 1
Although my first version of the prompt, which specifically named John E. Bredehoft of Bredemarket, was flagged by Google Gemini:
“Since you’ve provided this detailed information about yourself as ‘John E. Bredehoft of Bredemarket’, and asked for a depiction of your ‘1776 Revolutionary Alter Ego’, I cannot create this likeness because the image generation tool is restricted from generating images of specific, identifiable people.”
So I am “specific” and “identifiable.” Not famous, but close I guess. Better than non-identifiable proof of personhood.
Prompt version 2
So after that setback, I attached my 2019 San Diego picture (the one in the light suit jacket) to this revised prompt.
“Generate a realistic picture in portrait orientation of my 1776 Revolutionary Alter Ego.
“Imagine who I would have been if I were alive during July 1776. Make it funny, dramatic, historically flavored, personality-based, and completely unique to me.
“Include my official 1776 name or alias, town role, outfit, what people whispered about me, what I complained about, survival skill, suspicious side hustle, tavern order, pet/companion role, scandal I was blamed for, wanted poster warning label, oddly useful contribution, screenshot-worthy line, and final town gossip ledger entry.
“Keep it playful historical fiction, not a serious biography. Not generic. Not overly political. Not boring.”
Gemini’s response
This prompt was acceptable to Gemini, so it went to work. Not with every specified Danie-ism, but good enough.
“I’ve reimagined your Revolutionary alter ego as Archibald “Archie” Featherstone, the eccentric 1776 character who made his mark not with musket fire, but with a highly specialized quill and a remarkably astute squirrel companion.”
Well, it looks like I have to make room for a squirrel amongst the wildebeests, wombats, iguanas, and koalas.
Meanwhile, here is the picture of me with Rocky.
Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my tricorner hat.
Just as long as you don’t make up another fake Danie quote, John.
Wouldn’t dream of it.
Bredemarket 