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The Irreplaceable Human Touch in Writing
Why AI Can’t Fully Take Over Our Writing Tasks: Insights from Kleist to Modern Cognition
Before we jump into our main topic, allow me a brief preface. This introduction is essential to understand the train of thought that led me to the following reflections. Paradoxically, this preface already touches on the core of our subject — though this will only become clear as we progress. Let us begin with Kleist.
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Heinrich von Kleist, the brilliant German dramatist and storyteller, wrote a remarkable essay titled “On the Gradual Production of Thoughts Whilst Speaking”. This short but significant work was probably written between 1805 and 1806 during Kleist’s stay in Königsberg, but was only published posthumously in 1878.
Thoughts Shaped Through Expression
In it, Kleist argues that the act of speaking itself promotes and structures the thinking process. He recommends talking about problems to solve them — even if the conversation partner is unfamiliar with the topic. The process of speaking forces us to clarify vague ideas and organize thoughts. It’s about thinking through speaking, not just thinking while speaking.
