Why We Write?

It is recommended to read the Jordan Peterson's writing guide attached. It covers both why we should write and how we should write.

The points from this part onwards are my own. They may overlap with what is stated in Jordan Peterson's writing guide, as his work has definitely influenced me. However, I hope that what I share here has some uniqueness to it. So, please bear with me.

Writing facilitates our thoughts. Most people believe they think, then write. In reality, it is often the other way around. As Jordan Peterson often notes in his writing philosophy, the primary reason to write is to learn how to think, to sharpen the mind into a tool capable of navigating the world. Writing compels us to think actively. It connects mindlessly floating thoughts to form a bigger picture. By doing so, it identifies gaps that we might not notice otherwise. With that, we eliminate the false impression that we truly understand a topic. We will know what we don’t know, and then we can research it. Once we fill the gaps, we make connections and make sense of things. Chances are, the knowledge we newly gain is going to stick around for much longer and will be better utilized and applied.

Writing also serves as our most reliable archive. We keep diaries to track the day-to-day, a safeguard against the inevitable fading of memory. Years from now, a single entry might remind us of a version of ourselves we didn’t know we had forgotten. Beyond history, we write to capture the lightning of random inspiration. Some of our best ideas vanish as quickly as they arrive, appearing as if they never existed at all. Thomas Edison famously utilized the "genius gap"—waking himself from the edge of slumber to immediately record the creative floods of the dreaming mind. Writing preserves these fragments.Jordan Peterson adds that writing helps one memorize, but I am more inclined to see it as Dr. Arthur Brooks described in an interview[1]:

It's like having a New York Public Library at your disposal. I can't remember that thing because it's on the fourth floor back in the stacks and I have got to send my guy to get there.

Please note that the context of that interview is different from the point I am making here, but I find the quote incredibly fitting. One day, when certain knowledge or information is needed, we will know we have it and where to look for it.

Beyond the self, writing is the ultimate form of curated communication We are able to carefully articulate our thoughts, organize our words, and review them before sharing our ideas. This means we can ensure every piece of writing—every paragraph, every sentence, and every word—expresses precisely what we intend. Writing takes practice. Practicing writing also allows us to learn various domains of knowledge beyond the skill itself. The effort taken to write makes communication more in-depth and concise; it also makes us better communicators and clearer thinkers.

For the introvert, the written word is a sanctuary. Introverts can share and communicate without feeling overexposed. It is a soothing way to share because it does not actively demand the attention of others. Those who want to read, read. This gives introverts peace of mind. Writing allows us to simultaneously immerse ourselves in our own thoughts and connect with the outside world. As an introvert, I like this very much! [I hope to share more on this after I finish reading Quiet by Susan Cain.]

References

1. Interview with Dr. Arthur Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swccXduWHqs

2. This book compiles Aaron Swartz's writings; it was not published by him. I am very glad someone made the effort to compile and publish it. Otherwise, I would not have had the chance to learn about him.