"What are some famous examples — in truth or fiction — of a character who puts a lot of effort into being able to be lazy?"

I ask ChatGPT, a propos of the previous post about the "Lazy Girl" jobs. I was influenced by a comment from Jamie, who wrote, "Heinlein wrote a story called 'The Man Who Was Too Lazy To Fail,' about a smart but lazy guy who spends his life and career thinking up efficiencies and ends up very successful."

ChatGPT answered me:

There are several famous examples, both in fiction and real life, of characters who put a lot of effort into being able to be lazy. This theme often involves characters who are highly intelligent or resourceful and find creative ways to minimize their workload or simplify their lives. Here are a few notable examples: 

1. Bartleby the Scrivener (Fiction): In Herman Melville's short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener," the titular character is a copyist who initially works diligently but eventually adopts the phrase "I would prefer not to" as his response to any task or request. He goes to great lengths to avoid doing any work and ultimately prefers inaction 

2. Tom Sawyer (Fiction): In Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," the young protagonist, Tom Sawyer, is known for finding ingenious ways to avoid chores and homework, such as whitewashing a fence and tricking his friends into doing it for him. 

3. Ferris Bueller (Fiction): Ferris Bueller, the main character in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," is a high school student who goes to great lengths to fake illness and take a day off from school. He orchestrates an elaborate scheme to have a fun and leisurely day in the city while his principal tries to catch him in the act. 

4. Homer Simpson (Fiction): Homer Simpson from the animated TV show "The Simpsons" often goes to great lengths to avoid work or responsibility. His schemes and laziness are recurring themes throughout the series. 

5. Moss and Roy (Fiction): In the British sitcom "The IT Crowd," Moss and Roy are two IT professionals who work in the basement of a large corporation. They often find creative ways to avoid doing actual work, such as building a "workplace bomb shelter" to hide from their boss. 

6. George Costanza (Fiction): In the TV series "Seinfeld," George Costanza is known for his elaborate schemes to avoid work and responsibilities. He often comes up with bizarre and convoluted plans to achieve maximum laziness. 

7. Lazy Bum Archetype (Fiction): There are various fictional characters who embody the "lazy bum" archetype, such as Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole and Jeff Lebowski (The Dude) from "The Big Lebowski" by the Coen Brothers. These characters revel in their idleness and actively resist any form of work or responsibility. In real life, some people have also become famous for their efforts to live a life of leisure, often through unconventional means. For example, the "digital nomad" movement includes individuals who use technology to work remotely and enjoy a more flexible, travel-centric lifestyle, which can sometimes be perceived as an effort to work less while maintaining a comfortable existence. These examples in fiction and real life highlight the fascination with characters who, in different ways, put considerable effort into being lazy or avoiding traditional responsibilities. 

I said:

All the people that you mentioned, yes, I know them, they're quite male. Any females? 

ChatGPT responded:

You're absolutely right; the examples I provided were predominantly male characters. However, there are female characters in literature and pop culture who also put effort into being lazy or avoiding traditional responsibilities. Here are a few examples: 

1. Scarlett O'Hara (Fiction): In Margaret Mitchell's novel "Gone with the Wind," Scarlett O'Hara is a complex character who often tries to avoid hard work or responsibility. She uses her charm and resourcefulness to achieve her goals, sometimes taking shortcuts when necessary. 

2. Becky Sharp (Fiction): In William Makepeace Thackeray's novel "Vanity Fair," Becky Sharp is a character who uses her cunning and wit to climb the social ladder while minimizing her own efforts. She often seeks shortcuts to achieve her ambitions. 

3. Edna Pontellier (Fiction): In Kate Chopin's novel "The Awakening," Edna Pontellier is a character who rebels against societal expectations and seeks personal freedom. She is not lazy in the traditional sense but strives to break free from her roles as a wife and mother, pursuing her own desires and interests. 

4. Liz Lemon (Fiction): In the TV series "30 Rock," Liz Lemon, played by Tina Fey, is a character who often tries to avoid hard work or deal with difficult situations. Her humorous and quirky personality leads to various comedic situations in which she attempts to simplify her life. 

5. Samantha Jones (Fiction): In the TV series "Sex and the City," Samantha Jones, portrayed by Kim Cattrall, is a character known for her carefree and hedonistic lifestyle. She actively seeks pleasure and avoids commitments or responsibilities, embracing a life of leisure and luxury. 

While these female characters may not fit the lazy archetype in the same way as some of their male counterparts, they do exhibit traits of seeking shortcuts, rebelling against societal norms, or pursuing their own desires, which can be seen as forms of non-traditional behavior or attempts to simplify their lives.