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Truths & Wonders

Reflections from a lifelong journey of learning

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Tag: writing

I Used to Be ChatGPT

On October 5, 2025October 5, 2025 By Steve SampsonIn Musings2 Comments

In the early 2000s, my job was to find and share answers to hard questions fast. Here’s what that experience taught me about how humans know, why we need to keep thinking together, and when we’re better than any artificial intelligence.

Our Era Is Not “Post-Truth,” It’s “Loyalty-First”

On September 7, 2025September 8, 2025 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the WiseLeave a comment

In the history of truth, questions of loyalty came before questions of accuracy. In our current cultural moment, questions of loyalty seem to be ascending again, with some potentially dire consequences.

What They Hear Matters More Than What You Say

On July 23, 2025September 24, 2026 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the WiseLeave a comment

Unless you’re writing purely for self-expressive purposes, your reader’s interpretation of what you’re saying matters more than your own.

Read Closely, Listen Actively, Lead Wisely

On March 2, 2025 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the WiseLeave a comment

Do whatever it takes to let yourself fully engage—to read and think and write back. The right people will love you for it.

What My Daughter’s Drawing Taught Me About Words

On February 10, 2025 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the Wise2 Comments

Language is a maker, not a mirror. And continuing to use it creatively is now more important than ever. 

7 Basic Plots and How to Use Them

On March 16, 2024March 17, 2024 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the WiseLeave a comment

Stories are ubiquitous in human life, from the time we begin to make sense of the world to our final sentences. So learning how to tell them--and why--is essential.

Beware the Curse of Knowledge

On January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the Wise1 Comment

Expertise can be its own worst enemy.

Get to Know Your Sources

On March 24, 2018January 3, 2024 By Steve SampsonIn Musings5 Comments

In a world where information is everywhere, it's increasingly important to know who's feeding you what, why, and how.

Are Resumes Ever True?

On February 12, 2018February 12, 2018 By Steve SampsonIn MusingsLeave a comment

Reflections on telling nonfiction from nonsense.

Why Words Matter

On July 16, 2017December 19, 2023 By Steve SampsonIn Words to the WiseLeave a comment

There's a very real sense in which words have conjured the world as we know it. Which is why we should treat them with care.

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