How I Write Steven Pinker: Harvard Professor Explains The Rules of Writing | How I Write
753 snips
Jun 4, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Steven Pinker, a Harvard Professor and renowned author, delves into the intricacies of effective writing. He addresses 'The Curse of Knowledge,' emphasizing the need to simplify language for broader audience connection. Pinker also reflects on the value of childhood perspectives in enhancing creativity and humor. Furthermore, he explores the impact of AI on writing, contrasting human creativity with AI's structured outputs, and urges writers to embrace clarity and brevity in their craft.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Writing Lacks Immediate Feedback
- Writing is harder than speaking because writing lacks immediate feedback and shared context.
- Writers must provide full context as readers encounter text cold without clues from body language or prior conversation.
Balance Generalizations With Examples
- Avoid generalizations without examples because they often confuse readers.
- Use examples to concretize abstract ideas so readers understand precisely what you mean.
Language Evolves Away From Origins
- Many English compound words and phrases drift from their original literal meanings over time.
- Language evolves with fossilized word origins and irregular semantic relationships within compounds.
