Endure the Thought Process

As large language model technology advances, we can use tools like ChatGPT to help summarize long content we’re about to read or learn.

However, we must be mindful of this, as it can diminish our unique human ability—thinking endurance: the resilience to work through the complex thought process.

Lately, I’ve been summarizing a lot of YouTube content to get the main idea. I was able to go through dozens of videos in an hour. But when I go back and watch the full video, it feels like I’ve missed a lot of important details.

I think that while shortcuts in reading help satisfy short-term goals, like fulfilling curiosity, they don’t encourage long-term thinking. This prevents us from gaining deep understanding and knowledge.

What I’ve learned is to take the time to go through important information from start to finish, without shortcuts. Only when the information is purely for entertainment should we rely on summaries.