Summary of the Key Points
The author shares his transformation from being curious about AI to no longer engaging in in-depth conversations with it. He points out that the knowledge provided by AI appears comprehensive and sophisticated, but in reality, it is akin to “fast-food content” without any substance—something that everyone can access, preventing the formation of unique insights. He emphasizes that true knowledge must be acquired through personal learning, experience, and reflection. One should protect the cognitive “small world” that has been built through these unique experiences and avoid having one’s foundation eroded by AI’s pseudo-knowledge.
1. From “Wow” to “Huh?” — The Disappointment of Conversing with AI
When the author first started chatting with AI, he was amazed by the sophisticated theories and extensive arguments it presented, feeling as if he had suddenly gained a new understanding. However, he soon realized that this “knowledge” was false: it was not something he had truly understood; rather, it was information he passively accepted. This process was the opposite of genuine learning, which progresses from ignorance to gradual understanding. Over time, he even began to resist engaging with AI, preferring to embrace his own “ignorance,” as at least that ignorance was genuine.
2. Everyone Has an “AI Scholar” — What’s the Point of Discussing Principles?
AI is marketed by tech companies as an all-around expert that can provide several sophisticated answers to any vague question. The problem is that whatever it offers can also be given by others. It’s like everyone is using the same standard answers provided by an “AI scholar” in debates—what’s the point of that? The author uses Lin Daiyu as an example: if the content from AI is available to everyone, it loses its value; those who don’t pay for it get the leftovers, and those who do pay can access more expensive versions. Such “one-size-fits-all” knowledge cannot help you develop unique perspectives.
3. Knowledge Isn’t “Instant Muscle” — Don’t Dream of Getting Something for Nothing
Some people think that AI can provide knowledge directly, just like thinking that you can build muscle without exercising. This is a misconception. Knowledge has its barriers; it cannot be simply acquired and made one’s own. For example, to learn how to swim, you can’t just read about it from AI; you need to actually get into the water and practice. To understand literature, you must read the original works and think carefully. Scammers exploit people’s desire for quick knowledge, but true knowledge requires daily effort and accumulation, just like muscle development requires daily practice.
4. Gu Sui Teaches Us How to Seek Knowledge: Don’t Blindly Follow, Nor Deny Everything
The author cites Gu Sui’s advice on the correct approach to learning: first, read and think for yourself (for instance, when studying Su Dongpo’s poetry, start with a quick read, then a detailed one, and then reflect after closing the book). If you don’t understand something, don’t force it; instead, look for other perspectives to confirm your understanding. Don’t follow others blindly (just because AI says something) or deny their opinions from the start. The knowledge provided by AI is like water without roots, while the insights you gain through hard reading, discovering rare books, or having sudden moments of inspiration in conversations with friends are solid and reliable—these are your own sources of knowledge.
5. Protect Your “Small World” — Don’t Let AI Overwhelm It
Everyone’s cognitive world is composed of unique experiences: the hard work of studying in youth, the joy of finding rare books at second-hand markets, the sudden bursts of inspiration during conversations with friends, the insights gained while watching the moon over a river… These are irreplaceable parts of your identity. AI’s pseudo-knowledge, like a flood, can wash away these genuine experiences and make you lose your uniqueness. Protect these experiences, as they are the true sources of your knowledge. As Wallace Stevens said, “I am the world I roam; what I see and hear comes from within me.” This is the real you.