Discover the fascinating origins of writing, starting with cuneiform and its evolution in civilization. Delve into the impact of generative AI on traditional writing and education, raising concerns about learning and trust. Explore journaling as a vital tool for emotional processing and the dual motivations driving writers, from personal expression to political purpose. Investigate Derrida's intriguing theories that challenge the dominance of speech over writing, revealing the profound complexities of communication and authorship.
59:21
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT poses significant challenges for educational institutions, impacting students' development of essential writing skills.
Writing serves as a crucial tool for fostering critical thinking and deep thought processes that are not possible through spoken communication.
Despite the struggles often associated with writing, establishing a regular practice can lead to profound self-discovery and satisfaction.
Deep dives
The Impact of ChatGPT on Essay Writing
The emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has raised concerns about the future of essay writing in educational settings. Many educators worry that students are increasingly reliant on these technologies, which can hinder their development of essential writing skills. This reliance leads to a disconnect in expectations between teachers, who emphasize the importance of writing, and students, who may prefer to leverage AI for their assignments. The potential loss of essay writing as a key educational tool is a pressing issue that challenges traditional educational practices.
Trust Issues in Education
A significant breakdown of trust has developed amongst teachers, students, and educational technologies. Educators struggle to trust their students' submissions, fearing reliance on AI-generated content, while students may overly trust tools like ChatGPT, which can produce erroneous or fabricated information. This situation complicates the role of instructors, creating a policing mentality that educators typically strive to avoid. Additionally, universities often lack clear policies regarding the use of AI in academic work, resulting in confusion and inconsistency.
The Value of Writing for Thought Development
Writing is crucial for fostering deeper thought processes, as it encourages individuals to organize and articulate their ideas more thoroughly. Contrary to students' beliefs that sophisticated writing isn't necessary for certain professions, writing nurtures critical thinking skills that are widely applicable. The act of writing necessitates reflection and patience, offering an opportunity for complex ideas to unfold in ways that spoken conversation may not allow. Thus, the value of writing transcends mere communication and serves as a vital tool for intellectual growth.
The Challenges and Pleasures of Writing
The writing process is often agonizing, characterized by repeated revisions and a quest for inspiration. Both hosts shared personal struggles with writing, noting that it can feel like a Sisyphean task with no clear endpoint. However, the labor involved in crafting thoughts into coherent text can lead to profound self-discovery and satisfaction once the task is completed. Developing a regular writing practice can mitigate these challenges by fostering a sense of accomplishment and a more systematic approach to producing written work.
The Historical Significance of Writing
Historically, writing has played an essential role in the development of human civilization, serving as a foundation for complex communication and record-keeping. The invention of writing systems, such as cuneiform, not only facilitated the documentation of important social events but also allowed for the expression of abstract thought and complex ideas. This transition from oral to written communication has fundamentally transformed how societies organize knowledge and share information. Understanding the historical significance of writing highlights its enduring impact on human culture and intellectual progress.
You might want to jot down some notes on this one! In episode 122, Ellie and David explore where writing began, the value of writing, and our reasons for writing. Is the widespread use of generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, a threat to creative and academic writing? How did writing originate in cuneiform, and how does Derrida's deconstruction of logocentrism encourage us to reconsider the privileging of speech over writing? Listen to it all write here, write now! Plus, in the bonus, they get into some of our most pernicious myths and misconceptions about writing. They talk about the tortured writer trope, the solitary nature of writing, and the connection of writing to class.
Works Discussed: David Abram, The Spell of the Sensuous Geoffrey Bennington and Jacques Derrida, Jacques Derrida Jacques Derrida, “Freud and the Scene of Writing” Jacques Derrida, Of Grammatology Jacques Derrida, “Signature Event Context” Jacques Derrida, Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the HumanSciences Joan Didion, “Why I write” Walter Ong, Orality and Literacy George Orwell, “Why I write” Plato, The Phaedrus Alva Noë, The Entanglement, How Art and Philosophy Make Us Who We Are Peter Salmon, An Event, Perhaps: A Biography of Jacques Derrida Andrew Robinson, The Story of Writing
