Writes and Write-Nots

YC founder Paul Graham's latest prediction:

Within the next 20 years, the number of people who can truly write will decrease significantly. This is not just about the disappearance of writing skills, but also the divergence of thinking abilities. The emergence of AI technology will create a divided world of "those who can write" and "those who canno

... See more

My goal when writing might be called saltintesta: the ideas leap into your head and you barely notice the words that got them there.

Putting ideas into words doesn't have to mean writing, of course. You can also do it the old way, by talking. But in my experience, writing is the stricter test. You have to commit to a single, optimal sequence of words. Less can go unsaid when you don't have tone of voice to carry meaning. And you can focus in a way that would seem excessive in co

... See more

Instead of good writers, ok writers, and people who can't write, there will just be good writers and people who can't write.

Is that so bad? Isn't it common for skills to disappear when technology makes them obsolete? There aren't many blacksmiths left, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

Yes, it's bad. The reason is something I mentioned earlier: w... See more