A couple things to note here before I get into the post topic:
Thing 1: Because of Thing 2, it felt important to use an AI generated image (courtesy of Gemini Pro), even though it does not look as great as images that show up in a quick web search.
Thing 2: This post was created with the GenAI app Claude-3-Opus as my co-author. I was inspired to try this out after reading on The Neuron about how good Claude is for this purpose.
Per advice in The Neuron, I started this by providing Claude with links to four of my previous posts here on Substack. Here’s my prompt for that:
Can you please read these samples of my writing, so that afterwards we can work on drafting something together: https://pjordan.substack.com/p/hope-this-is-not-goodbye-to-pi; https://pjordan.substack.com/p/asking-ai-how-to-defend-against-living; https://pjordan.substack.com/p/ai-as-a-cyber-threat-intel-research; https://pjordan.substack.com/p/a-new-privacy-phone-and-lovely-little
Claude did that in less than a minute, and its response started with:
I have carefully read through the four writing samples you provided from your Substack newsletter "Tech & Nonsense". The articles cover a range of technology topics, with a focus on AI and cybersecurity. Here are some key observations about your writing style and content …
I won’t share all of its observations here, but I’ll share its summary because Whoa, Claude is easily impressed or is very keen on buttering me up with some high quality flattery:
Overall, your writing is engaging, informative and opinionated while maintaining a casual, conversational tone well-suited for a tech newsletter. You provide helpful context and explanations on more technical topics balanced with your own experiences and views. The focus is on cutting-edge tech like AI and critical issues like privacy and cybersecurity.
Thanks Claude, I may have to steal that for the About page.
Next up was giving Claude the details on the topic for this post, like so:
Great, now lets try to draft a new post together. Lets draft something that talks about how I am much better at taking notes on my smartphone than on a computer. This is because I am much faster at swipe typing than I am with a computer keyboard, and when possible I also can use voice-to-text to be even faster.
I liked Claude’s title, and went with it. The rest of this post is all Claude’s words, rendered as normal text. My 02 on its words and how I might have done it differently are in block quotes:
Claude’s Draft:
Introduction:
As someone who is always jotting down ideas, to-dos, and random thoughts, I've tried a variety of note-taking methods over the years. But I've come to realize that for me, nothing beats the convenience and speed of using my smartphone for capturing notes on the go. In this post, I'll share why my phone has become my go-to tool for note-taking and how it has boosted my productivity.
I don’t always use sections in a post as Claude has done, but I think it feels ok here. Although on the go notes are definitely easier on a phone, I need to add that my phone is still my go-to device far more often that not when I’m stationary. I use it when I’m taking notes from highlights I’ve added in Kindle books or PDF documents, in work meetings (voice-to-text usually when I’m muted), viewing a webinar, for quickly capturing thoughts and to-do items, and at many other times.
The Power of Swipe Typing:
One of the main reasons I prefer taking notes on my smartphone is the incredible speed I can achieve with swipe typing. Instead of pecking away at individual keys, I simply glide my finger across the keyboard, effortlessly forming words and sentences. With a little practice, swipe typing has allowed me to take notes almost as quickly as my thoughts flow, ensuring that no idea gets lost in the shuffle.
Claude got this very close to what I would have written. I’m a little better than pecking at single keys, but still too slow and, embarrassingly, too damn loud with my PC keyboard typing - I’ve been teased at work for this :( Also, it took more than a little practice to get good and then better than good at swipe typing. I tried it out and hated it, felt like a dork with it, something like four times with Gboard and SwiftKeys. Fifth time was a charm I guess.
Voice-to-Text for Even Faster Note-Taking:
When I'm in a situation where typing isn't practical, such as when I'm walking or driving, I turn to my smartphone's voice-to-text feature. This handy tool allows me to speak my notes aloud, and my phone does the rest, transcribing my words into text with impressive accuracy. Voice-to-text has been a game-changer for capturing ideas during my commute or while running errands.
YIKES. Claude is way off the rails here. I don’t text at all, ever, while driving. And I have never and would never try dictating notes while driving - I firmly believe that any level of distraction while driving is dangerous.
The Convenience Factor:
Another significant advantage of using my smartphone for note-taking is the convenience factor. My phone is always with me, whether I'm at my desk, in a meeting, or out and about. This means I can capture ideas and thoughts whenever and wherever they strike, without having to worry about carrying around a separate notebook or device. Plus, with my notes synced to the cloud, I can access them from any device, making it easy to review and expand upon my ideas later.
This slice is pretty good, and mostly true. I do have a habit though of leaving my phone behind when I’m out walking on my own or with my dog. My day job and general fascination with computers of all sizes result in (far) more than enough screen time. I’m happy to risk potentially not remembering some important thought that strikes me while walking by the time I get back indoors. It’s worth it because it allows me to be more present and relaxed.
Organizing and Enhancing Notes:
Taking notes on my smartphone also allows me to easily organize and enhance my notes with a variety of tools. I can create folders or tags to keep my notes sorted by topic or project, making it simple to find what I need when I need it. Additionally, most note-taking apps offer features like the ability to add images, links, and even audio recordings to my notes, enriching the information I capture and providing valuable context.
All of this is valid, but it’s not different to what I can do with desktop or web note taking apps. Having said that, real-time sync from mobile notes to the desktop or web is always appreciated.
Conclusion:
For me, the combination of swipe typing, voice-to-text, convenience, and organizational tools make my smartphone the ultimate note-taking device. By leveraging these features, I've been able to capture ideas more quickly and efficiently than ever before, ensuring that no thought slips through the cracks. If you're looking to boost your note-taking productivity, I highly recommend giving your smartphone a try – you might be surprised at just how powerful a tool it can be.
Agreed. Well done Claude.
So, just FYI, I don’t plan to let Claude - or any other AI tool - write any full posts for me. I will continue working with them though, taking advantage of their impressive capabilities in assisting with research and brainstorming ideas. As I’ve said before here, and will probably keep saying, I’m an AI Optimist and a believer in the idea of using GenAI tools to augment our knowledge and skills:
Kinda spooky, no??
I have used AI to make recommendations as well. “Sometimes” it helps, but I appreciate it more for the grammar related issues. I find our sense of creativity and personality can be skewed and dried out but the lack of emotion. Great read!