The Positive Impact of Writing: Embracing the Good Kind of Work
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Chapter 1: The Value of Work
In today’s world, not all tasks hold the same value. For instance, I often utilize an app on my phone to command a robot to clean my floors. I feel no loss in delegating this chore to my Roomba; I find it unnecessary to spend half an hour vacuuming manually. Similarly, loading the dishwasher and pressing a button is far preferable to scrubbing dishes by hand for 20 minutes after dinner. I’m not inclined to abandon modern conveniences like my washing machine or electric lawnmower to increase my workload.
However, the rise of AI capable of writing and creating art troubles me.
This brings to mind a memorable scene from The Matrix, where Neo learns kung fu in mere seconds through a computer program. While impressive, this concept has always unsettled me. As an educator, my relevance could quickly diminish if people could download knowledge within moments instead of spending a year learning. Yet, I believe my discomfort stems from more than mere self-interest. The journey of skill acquisition encompasses much more than just the end result.
Although I don’t practice martial arts, I can draw parallels to my experiences as a tennis player in my youth. Countless hours spent in lessons and on the court allowed me to gradually improve, often without noticeable progress. After a session, I would leave feeling exhausted, yet my skills would seem barely advanced. Had I been given the chance to instantly learn tennis like Neo, I would have jumped at it.
Through dedication, I developed various techniques—like applying specific spins and positioning myself strategically on the court. Yet, the real lessons came from those countless hours spent practicing. Tennis, being predominantly an individual sport, taught me valuable insights about my character, such as maintaining focus during prolonged matches and recognizing my own psychological strengths and weaknesses. Instantaneous mastery would have equipped me with strokes, but not the self-discovery that accompanied my training.
Chapter 2: The Journey of Learning
When I reflect on my proudest achievements, the skills themselves often seem secondary. Over the years, I’ve honed my cooking abilities through persistence and practice. The time spent in the kitchen might appear wasted to some—after all, takeout or frozen meals could save me effort.
Yet, much like tennis, cooking has become a form of creative expression for me. The satisfaction of crafting a dish and sharing it with loved ones is unmatched. After investing an hour into preparing a meal, I cherish the joy it brings to my family. This feeling wouldn’t be present if I merely opted for delivery, regardless of its quality.
My teaching involves considerable writing. With the advent of various programs that can generate text reasonably well, generative AI is only likely to improve over time. In a few years, these platforms might produce written work that closely resembles quality student essays.
Some advocates proclaim that writing is obsolete and suggest we stop teaching it altogether, labeling it a futile endeavor. I disagree. While machines can handle numerous tasks for us, it’s crucial to differentiate between labor we gladly outsource—like dishwashing or vacuuming—and endeavors that lead to personal growth. Without engaging in meaningful work, we risk becoming like the passive characters in WALL-E.
Section 2.1: The Importance of Writing
Writing is undeniably a valuable pursuit; it cultivates our critical thinking skills and brings clarity to our thoughts. As Liz Norell articulates,
> "Perhaps deeply personal writing-as-thinking can happen without physically writing, but I believe we seldom grant ourselves the quiet moments needed for such reflection unless we’re engaged in crafting something meaningful."
Norell posits that this process not only enhances our intellect but also our character. Committing to regular reflective writing fosters curiosity and humility, encouraging us to reevaluate our beliefs.
In my experience, writing is a challenging intellectual endeavor. I often wrestle with vague ideas, shaping them into coherent arguments. Frequently, my conclusions evolve throughout the writing process, resembling the unpredictability of cooking, where the final dish may differ significantly from the initial vision. I believe that engaging in writing maintains my mental agility and curiosity.
Sure, my students can utilize tools like ChatGPT to generate essays, but they would forfeit the growth that comes from the act of writing itself. My goal in assigning writing tasks is not merely to produce paragraphs but to train my students to discipline their thoughts, think critically, and juggle multiple ideas simultaneously.
These outcomes are the fruits of hard work. Delegating that effort to machines may yield satisfactory essays, but it won’t foster the development of more rounded individuals.
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