[nickagliano]

It's more complicated than, "using AI more and more will cause us to forget how to write."

It's just a tool.

I like comparing it to something like quizlet (online flash cards), which can be a great study tool, but which people will also misuse and abuse. Instead of studying and taking the online quizzes, people will often just find the right quizlet which has all of the answers to the online quiz. People who are honest will actually learn the material, and the cheaters suffer.

I think people who misuse ChatGPT will become lazier, worse writers. But using the tool in an honest way will improve even an already talented writers work.

Just my 2 cents.

[thundergolfer]

You say it’s more complicated than PG’d claim, but your “just a tool” narrative is a classic oversimplification of technology’s relationship with man.

A tool is an extension of man, and it is not additive as you suggest, even for “talented writers”. A tool interacts with man’s mind and body, and society’s fabric, “adjusting the sense ratios” of man, to use McLuhan’s phrase.

“Just a tool” is lazy thinking that is most effectively used to stifle debate about technology. This has happened with the typewriter, the gun, the computer. For a more sophisticated engagement with technology, see Neil Postman, Ivan Illic, Marshall McLuhan, even Frank Herbert.

[nickagliano]

No, I agree with you! I'm not trying to simplify things by saying it's a tool. As you use the tool, it changes you as well. I think the chatbots are particular technology that will have a lot of that effect.

One of my favorite ramblings on this is Wendell Berry's essay on "Why I Am not Going To Buy A Computer".

I'm just saying that there's an obviously bad way to let this tool have an impact on you, and there's a way to use it that won't ruin you.

It's important to be vigilant, and not to abuse GPT-4 and, i.e., replace all of your own writing with AI.