This Humble Outdoor Writer’s Thoughts on AI
Writing on a laptop has its perks: portability, quietness, and convenience. Whether I’m in a deer stand, by a stream, or simply at home, it’s my go-to tool. Yet, technology isn’t perfect. Failures happen, and that’s why I keep a healthy skepticism about relying on it completely.
Despite my general distrust of technology—not an aversion, just caution—I embrace digital media. I prefer physical books and newspapers, but I write on a MacBook using Microsoft Word and genuinely enjoy the experience.
Still, the moment I dread most is saving my work. I don’t trust just saving to a hard drive or the cloud. I email my drafts to myself and sometimes even print them out. For backup, I have a manual typewriter—and yes, I can actually use it.
Backup Plans Are Essential
Over time, I’ve lost essays and finished articles due to computer or battery failures, or simply forgetting to save. Autosave is a lifesaver. But having multiple backup methods is a must.
One of my favorite writers, Wendell Berry, writes everything by hand before his wife types and edits it. Berry’s approach—slow, deliberate, and analog—is inspiring. I’m lucky to have an editor at home who reviews my work first. She’s a better writer than me, which helps catch mistakes early on.
Berry’s handwritten method, combined with a manual typewriter, may not suit everyone—especially given my handwriting. Technology like my MacBook keeps things practical for me.
Balancing Tradition and Technology
I learned typing on an IBM electric typewriter in high school, not keyboarding on a computer. I appreciate the nostalgia and discipline of manual typing but love the flexibility of my laptop.
Berry’s aversion to technology led me to consider my feelings about artificial intelligence. I'm skeptical. AI has clear benefits, like aiding medical research, but I worry about its impact on human intelligence.
My concern is that technology might be making us less capable thinkers. Berry echoes this, arguing that technological progress has dulled our ability to engage with important ideas.
He points out that many educated people know more about sports than their country’s history, while others lack knowledge of their family stories. Much of this stems from distractions like smartphones and television, which Berry calls tools of “stupefaction.”
Agrarian Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence
Berry’s “agrarian intelligence” values simplicity and mindfulness. He tells of a man who continued cutting wood by hand rather than using modern chainsaws, choosing health and sanity over convenience.
This philosophy resonates with me. As I write, I’m trying to disable Microsoft Word’s new AI “copilot” feature. I prefer crafting my ideas on my own terms, with human editors catching errors rather than relying on artificial tools.
My work is genuine, with all its imperfections coming from natural effort rather than automation. I write with a love for the wild and the outdoors, hoping to keep that authenticity alive.
For writers curious about AI tools, it’s worth exploring carefully how they fit into your workflow. Resources like Complete AI Training’s AI tool databases can provide insight into available options without losing the human touch that makes writing meaningful.
Until next time, here’s to writing that stays true and natural—whether in the wild or at the keyboard.
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