Do your own writing

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Role of Writing in Thinking

  • Many see writing (and coding) as a core thinking tool: ideas that feel clear in your head often fall apart when written, revealing gaps and contradictions.
  • Letting LLMs produce the main text is likened to “paying someone to work out for you”: you lose the cognitive gains from the effort.
  • Several argue that writing for yourself can be messy and private; the “polished essay” is a different activity from thinking-through-writing.

When AI Helps vs. Hurts

  • Common “good uses”: grammar/style cleanup, summarization, outlining, transcript cleanup, generating quizzes/worksheets, and identifying weak spots in existing text or lyrics.
  • LLMs are valued as conversational partners / rubber ducks by some, helping organize thoughts, expose edge cases, and provide feedback.
  • Others argue this is not true “rubber ducking” and risks offloading too much comprehension and judgment.

Authenticity, Trust, and Workplace Dynamics

  • Once readers suspect LLM authorship, they feel they’re reviewing the model’s work, not the author’s thinking.
  • In teams, workers who have AI write design docs, PRs, or slides and then rely on colleagues for review are seen as offloading both creation and self-review.
  • Some suggest for purely ceremonial or unread documents, AI authorship is acceptable and efficient.

Idea Generation and “Average” Output

  • Disagreement on whether LLMs are good at generating ideas:
    • Critics say output is bland, mainstream, and unoriginal.
    • Supporters see value in enumerating options, surfacing missed pros/cons, or nudging them out of blocks—even if many suggestions are discarded.
  • There’s concern that relying on AI for ideation may constrain thought to what the model finds salient.

Skills, Education, and Equity

  • Strong worry that students using LLMs for core writing will stunt their ability to think and write independently.
  • Others note LLMs are powerful assistive tools for non-native speakers, ADHD, and people who struggle with formal prose, enabling clearer communication.
  • Several emphasize that the key is conscious use: don’t let AI replace the personally valuable parts of thinking and learning.