Just to chime in with a different perspective, I don’t use ChatGPT and have no plans to. Although I totally understand why some may find it useful, and don’t have judgements towards those that use it for personal purposes.

For me, one of the many reasons I enjoy DMing is specifically to push myself to improvise and creative. I wasn’t encouraged to be imaginative or creative as a child, and so as an adult I often find myself trying to make up for that. As well as letting go of the fear of not being in control, and having fun with making ideas on the spot. It also feels much more fulfilling when something I make up ends up going down well.

Also I tend to like coming up with new concepts that go against the grain, or at least attempt to. And while ChatGPT is good at scraping and spitting out what has been done before, I ambitiously want something that is more surprising or unique than what it offers.

DM here, mine is a bit vague and cheesy but whatever. Favourite part is seeing how excited my friends get when something cool happens! Whether it’s pulling out a spicy combat encounter, or they connect the clues of some big plot point, or they pull off something heroic and/or disastrous in game and we all know it’s unforgettable.

Being a DM feels a bit like hosting a party (except less overwhelming). It feels like giving gifts to my friends in the form of a fantasy world. It’s highly fulfilling, and we end up weaving many joyful memories together.

(Also hello from a fellow Curse of Strahd DM!)

This is a great answer.

I feel like I can do away with the doomscrolling and time-wasting, but it’s the specific advice and hobby subs that will be difficult to tear away from completely.