Great Writing, Great Thinking, AI, and Wine

Figuring out what I tell my son Henry about the future of great writing

I don’t recall when I realized that very good writers tend first and foremost to be very good thinkers. When I say “very good thinkers”, I mean someone able to make interesting and consequential connections between two or more ideas or situations that may seem to be disparate subjects. Good thinking provides enlightening insights. Very good writers almost always have and display this talent.

My boy, Henry, is 10 years old, in fifth grade, and I’ve often explained this connection between thinking and writing to him beginning probably four years ago. I’ve explained that if you want to both learn how to think well and write well, it’s important to read really good writers.

I see Henry becoming a good writer and this was confirmed by his Social Studies and English teacher in Parent-Teacher conferences that Kathy and I attended today. I’m proud of him. However, my study and use of Artificial Intelligence tell me that people's good thinking may no longer be a prerequisite for good writing. This concerns me.

I want to demonstrate what I mean here. Consider the following short pieces of writing about wine. Consider that all three of them were the result of short prompts by me.

THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM AND THE NEED FOR REFORM

Prompt: You are an expert writer and an advocate for wine consumers. Write a short, two-paragraph essay explaining how consumer access to wine is limited by the three-tier system. Your objective is to educate the reader and turn them into curious advocates for greater wine consumer rights.

The three-tier system, established after Prohibition, creates unnecessary barriers between wine producers, wholesalers, and retailers, limiting consumer access to diverse and affordable wines. This system mandates that producers sell to wholesalers, who then sell to retailers, who in turn sell to consumers. It stifles competition by preventing small, boutique wineries from directly reaching their customers, forcing them to navigate a complex and often prohibitive distribution network. This limits the variety of wines available on store shelves and inflates prices due to the added middleman markups.

Consumers suffer because this outdated system restricts their choices and drives up costs, making it harder to explore new and unique wines. Furthermore, in an era where direct-to-consumer sales through the Internet could democratize wine purchasing, the three-tier system remains a significant obstacle. By understanding and advocating for reforms to this archaic model, wine lovers can push for a more open, fair, and consumer-friendly marketplace. By supporting change, we can ensure greater access to a wider variety of wines at more competitive prices, enriching the experience for all wine enthusiasts.

THE BEAUTIFUL PINOT NOIRS OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Prompt: You are a wine expert and wine consumer advocate. Write a short, two-paragraph essay about the utility and beauty of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Describe your experience with these wines. Describe their character while making note of the beauty and accessibility of the Willamette Valley. Make note of two Pinot Noir producers that make and sell Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that should be sampled.