In the fall of 1986, a graduate student recalls a pivotal moment with his thesis director, poet James Dickey, focused on the search for the perfect word in a poem. After a frustrating session, the student finds the word 'pale' and excitedly calls Dickey late at night to share his discovery, which brings joy and clarity. The student reflects on how this moment contrasts with today's writing experience, heavily influenced by AI tools that generate suggestions, which threaten the personal, meaningful connections words can create.
In a world increasingly driven by AI, the joy of finding the 'right word' feels threatened, overshadowed by robotic suggestions that clutter our writing.
The excitement of literary discovery with a mentor like James Dickey reminds us of the profound, personal connections that language can foster in our lives.
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