Point 4 is the one most people misread. The argument isn't "don't use AI." It's that AI can help you produce — but it can't supply the thing that makes writing worth reading in the first place. The raw material is irreplaceable: what you've actually seen, done, and gotten wrong.
I write about Japanese manufacturing quality methods applied to knowledge work. I use AI heavily in the process. But the content that performs is always the content rooted in something I watched happen on a factory floor — not something a model could have generated from first principles.
AI is a production accelerator. It doesn't create source material. That part is still entirely yours.
AI hasn’t experienced life the way humans have, and it shows in its output. The “raw material”, as you put it, is indeed irreplaceable. But so is your unique voice. And then there are dangers like overuse of AI eroding your own ability to think and use your own judgement.
So, correct, I’m not saying to not use AI. And, yes, that practical experience creates the best raw material. But I think other writing-related tasks still fall onto the human, too.
Couldn't agree more on the risk of eroding your own judgment.
In manufacturing, we learned that if you automate the inspection process completely, the operators stop paying attention to the line. They lose their "feel" for when a machine is about to break.
Writing feels exactly the same. The moment you outsource the thinking, you lose your feel for the work.
I’ll definitely check out the piece you linked—thanks for expanding on this!
I always enjoy your posts, Kyna. It’s very nice to encounter people who continue to be passionate about one of life’s most essential skills - clear written communication. I wonder how many schools and Universities currently make the effort to teach teenagers these skills and to instill in them an understanding of why the ability to write well is so valuable. Good writing is at once all about pulling thoughts out of our heads, whilst at the same time organizing those thoughts and expressing them in a way that makes ourselves a little more understandable to others. Good writing can be informative, inspiring, persuasive and memorable in equal measure. The quality of our thinking is determined not only by our experiences and knowledge but also by our mastery (or otherwise) of language and our ability to articulate our reflections in words that engage others.
Glad you enjoy them, Anthony! Writing is indeed a beautiful thing :)
I do think some of those things you listed are more about editing than writing though! Writing is about that messy process of wrestling with ideas, trying to get your thoughts on paper. Then editing is about cleaning them up for the benefit of the reader, though it also helps you as the writer get even more clarity (especially structure) on those ideas you’re trying to communicate and refine.
P.S. - on an entirely different (but important) note: as a writer, I suspect you take copious amounts of notes? Do you have a recommendation for a good note-taking app please?!
I know this is an unhelpful response… but I use pen and paper!
If under time pressure or when close to that point when I start the first draft, I might ‘take notes’, if you can call them that, in a Word doc or a Substack draft.
Point 4 is the one most people misread. The argument isn't "don't use AI." It's that AI can help you produce — but it can't supply the thing that makes writing worth reading in the first place. The raw material is irreplaceable: what you've actually seen, done, and gotten wrong.
I write about Japanese manufacturing quality methods applied to knowledge work. I use AI heavily in the process. But the content that performs is always the content rooted in something I watched happen on a factory floor — not something a model could have generated from first principles.
AI is a production accelerator. It doesn't create source material. That part is still entirely yours.
Thanks for reading!
There are use cases for AI. But there are also huge pitfalls. I've addressed both in https://kynakosling.substack.com/p/dont-kill-your-voice.
AI hasn’t experienced life the way humans have, and it shows in its output. The “raw material”, as you put it, is indeed irreplaceable. But so is your unique voice. And then there are dangers like overuse of AI eroding your own ability to think and use your own judgement.
So, correct, I’m not saying to not use AI. And, yes, that practical experience creates the best raw material. But I think other writing-related tasks still fall onto the human, too.
Couldn't agree more on the risk of eroding your own judgment.
In manufacturing, we learned that if you automate the inspection process completely, the operators stop paying attention to the line. They lose their "feel" for when a machine is about to break.
Writing feels exactly the same. The moment you outsource the thinking, you lose your feel for the work.
I’ll definitely check out the piece you linked—thanks for expanding on this!
I love how all these lessons apply across disciplines :)
I always enjoy your posts, Kyna. It’s very nice to encounter people who continue to be passionate about one of life’s most essential skills - clear written communication. I wonder how many schools and Universities currently make the effort to teach teenagers these skills and to instill in them an understanding of why the ability to write well is so valuable. Good writing is at once all about pulling thoughts out of our heads, whilst at the same time organizing those thoughts and expressing them in a way that makes ourselves a little more understandable to others. Good writing can be informative, inspiring, persuasive and memorable in equal measure. The quality of our thinking is determined not only by our experiences and knowledge but also by our mastery (or otherwise) of language and our ability to articulate our reflections in words that engage others.
Glad you enjoy them, Anthony! Writing is indeed a beautiful thing :)
I do think some of those things you listed are more about editing than writing though! Writing is about that messy process of wrestling with ideas, trying to get your thoughts on paper. Then editing is about cleaning them up for the benefit of the reader, though it also helps you as the writer get even more clarity (especially structure) on those ideas you’re trying to communicate and refine.
P.S. - on an entirely different (but important) note: as a writer, I suspect you take copious amounts of notes? Do you have a recommendation for a good note-taking app please?!
I know this is an unhelpful response… but I use pen and paper!
If under time pressure or when close to that point when I start the first draft, I might ‘take notes’, if you can call them that, in a Word doc or a Substack draft.