Now imagine when even the author hasn’t read what was written… yikes. How does AI writing and reading impact this reality?
I used to write long memos—significant ones—maybe once a year. I’d send them to thousands. That scale alone signals, “someone else will read it.” I hoped direct reports and close colleagues would read them. I could count on 2 or 3 people to definitely read them.
Bill would read. Steve would read—but only if we discussed it in person, because that’s how he worked.
I knew this, so I always made a slide version. I’d use it in dozens of team meetings. But even then, for months after sending a memo, I’d be referring members of the team back to what was in it. Could I have done better, of course. I did the best I could at the time. I figured once a year people could read 20-30 pages for their job.
People want context. They want the big ideas. But getting an organization—of any size—to actually read is almost impossible.
The only reliable thing people read? Org memos. And even then, if one (as I often did) didn’t include an org chart picture—rather than just words—people would skim or skip and wait for (hopefully) a tree graph in the email.
And these were from the “big boss,” sending out “big strategy.” So if you think folks in big orgs are reading 40-page PRDs, budget plans, new product proposals, or deal docs deeply and regularly… you’re probably kidding yourself. I know how the Amazon process has evolved from friends there. It too is breaking down which is a bummer as I am a huge fan of that.
Now enter AI. What happens when it’s doing the writing—and not even the author has deep knowledge of what was written?
That’s like a compiled or multiple author memo no one ever actually read end-to-end.
And if people are asking AI to summarize—but the summary is lossy or invents data—what then?
I say all this as part of the “TV” and later “MTV” generation. Back then, we were told that fast-paced, cut-cut-cut media made us incapable of absorbing anything. Meh…ok boomer, I know you can’t follow the plot of “24” but that’s your problem not mine.
So maybe this is just old man yelling at cloud. But for me? My entire career has been defined by the reality that people in business don’t really read.
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Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average (now > $25,000 per student) K-12 tax & spending practices. This, despite long term, disastrous reading results.
Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability
The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?