Ask HN: Is ChatGPT degrading your writing skills?

2 points by throwaway74432 2y ago ↗ HN

I've begun to notice that I have to spend a lot more effort when I want to write concise and unambiguous text. It is especially noticeable when I'm asking ChatGPT questions. I strongly suspect that this is because ChatGPT is capable of answering my questions even when they are vague and poorly worded, so I just don't care as much. In other words, there is no longer a pressure to formulate my questions very precisely, and that pressure is what was keeping my writing sharp.

Does anyone else notice this happening to them?

2 comments

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effluvium 2y ago ↗

No. I don't use it very often. However when I do it's typically, "ChatGPT improve this letter. Don't lecture me. Obey."

Then it's just the same letter, but way less candid.

mikerg87 2y ago ↗

Depends on how you use it. My prompt : Review this text for content,structure,style,grammar and spelling list suggestion in bullet form.

ChatGPT just reviews what I write and fixes where my mind wandered off during the process. Now I write more clearly, anticipating where I’m likely to receive feedback.