Latest news with #essays
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
ChatGPT could affect your critical thinking skills, study finds
MIT researchersconducted a study analyzing the impact using ChatGPT in writing tasks can have on brain activity. The study is part ofMIT's Media Lab project called"Your Brain on ChatGPT," which is designed to assess the cognitive effect of relying on large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT when authoring essays. Dig deeper Approximately 54 people between the ages of 18 and 39 participated in the study. The individuals were divided into three groups to compose several essays. RELATED: ChatGPT may be smart enough to graduate law school One group was allowed to use ChatGPT; the second, Google search; and the third, no AI tools at all. An electroencephalography (EEG) headset was used by the participants while writing to measure the participants' brain activity across 32 regions of the brain. Each patient drafted essays in three sessions and in a fourth session, some participants were reassigned. The individuals who used ChatGPT transitioned to writing unaided (called "LLM-to-Brain") while some who started the brain-only exercise used the LLM ("Brain-to-LLM") RELATED: ChatGPT outperformed doctors in diagnostic accuracy, study reveals The participants' essays were scored by both human teachers and an AI judge, and at the conclusion of the assignment, each person was interviewed following the sessions with researchers asking them about how much they felt they owned their writing. Researchers determined that of the three groups in the study, the ChatGPT users experienced the lowest brain engagement. The team concluded that their study has limitations that they document in their report and website and that more research is needed to better understand the use of ChatGPT in various parts of daily life. The Source Information for this story was provided by an MIT study, which is part of the MIT Media project "Your Brain on ChatGPT." This story was reported from Washington, D.C.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Regina Poet & Artist launches new Sketches
Regina Poet & Artist launches new Sketches In honour of pride month, Regina Poet and Artist Zachari Logan launches a new collection of sketches and essays . Get to know more about his projects here.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study: ChatGPT may be eroding critical thinking skills
(NewsNation) — A new study led by researchers at MIT reveals that using OpenAI's ChatGPT could be negatively impacting the brain's critical thinking skills. Researchers divided 54 students into three different groups and asked them to write essays using ChatGPT, Google's search engine and nothing at all. Using electroencephalograms (EEGs), they recorded each participant's brain activity and found that ChatGPT users had the lowest brain engagement and 'consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels.' Teens with 'addictive' phone use more likely to be suicidal: Study The study also revealed that over the course of the several months the study was conducted, the people who used ChatGPT put much less effort into the essays by just typing the prompt into the AI software and having it do all the work. ChatGPT users also retained less information from the essays that were written. The effect was termed 'cognitive debt' by researchers, highlighting how constant reliance on AI systems may impair the cognitive processes underlying independent thinking. The brain-only group showed the highest neural connectivity in areas of the brain responsible for language comprehension, creativity and memory. The group that used Google had moderate brain engagement throughout the course of the study. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Appreciation: Dr Denis Sampson
Dr Denis Sampson, the noted biographer, critic and essayist who died earlier this month, was born in Whitegate, Co Clare, but made his home for the last 30 years in Montreal, Canada. Born in 1948, he received his secondary education at Mount Saint Joseph's College, Roscrea, and went on to take a BA in English at University College Dublin. A period working in the Department of Finance followed, during which time Denis also studied for an MA in English from UCD. In 1969, he took up further study in English at McGill University, Montreal, where he earned his PhD. It was then that he began his 30-year teaching career at Vanier College, Montreal, then began and where Denis and his family made their home. READ MORE Although he wrote in many forms, Denis's most notable accomplishments are in the field of literary criticism and scholarship. His deft and thoughtful combination of these two related areas of inquiry was already fully formed in his first book, Outstaring Nature's Eye: The Fiction of John McGahern (1993), a work which is not only a model of criticism but which also effectively pioneered serious research into the mind and art of its subject. Another first followed, a biography of Brian Moore – The Chameleon Novelist (1998). Subsequently, Denis began to sound other strings of his literary bow, most notably in personal essays, many of which appeared in such eminent venues as The Dublin Review and the leading Canadian journal, Brick . These essays may be seen as both a consolidation of the homecoming implicit in Denis's McGahern work and an embrace of the wider world of international experience signposted by Moore. This latter sphere also led to Denis's numerous residences at Canada's internationally renowned Banff Centre, while he also maintained a regular presence as a valued speaker at Irish studies conferences. And in time, Denis's Irish origins and interests found a means of speaking to his Canadian life and work in the memoir A Migrant Heart (Montreal, 2014), a noteworthy contribution to the literature of the Irish diaspora (though, strangely, it still lacks an Irish edition). McGahern's continuing output claimed a good deal of Denis's critical energy, with substantial accounts of late-style McGahern appearing in leading Irish studies outlets. Additionally, the study Young John McGahern: Becoming a Novelist (2012) proved a fitting capstone to Denis's many years of thought and research about a writer whose canonical status Denis helped establish. The theme of becomings and beginnings also prompted Denis's most international book, The Found Voice: Writers' Beginnings (2016). Denis's many friends within and beyond academia found him a genial, open-minded, generous man who had as one of his finest traits a great gift for friendship. An excellent host, first-rate conversationalist, venturesome traveller, and devoted family man, Denis will also be fondly remembered for his genuine interest in his students, his scrupulous attention to their education, and to the helping hand he unfailingly extended to younger scholars. Denis Sampson died on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, after a long illness at his home in Montreal. He was 77. His wife, Gabrielle, and their children Conor, Robert and Anna survive him, as do three grandchildren.
WebMD
09-06-2025
- Health
- WebMD
My Advocacy Bookshelf: Eczema Reads that Changed My Life
If I had to list every book that has shaped my journey as an eczema advocate, we would be here all day. Narrowing it down to just three wasn't easy, but I wanted to highlight the ones that profoundly impacted me. These books didn't just teach me something new, they shifted how I approach my own life with eczema and how I support others living with chronic conditions. Disability Visibility by Alice Wong I remember first reading about a book that was listed in books that help people understand their chronic illness better. I'll admit it, I thought the title was pretty catchy, too, and I always love reading essays from people regardless of the topic. Reading Disability Visibility was a transformative experience for me. This powerful collection of essays by disabled writers offered insights that challenged my previous perspectives. It taught me that disability encompasses a vast range of experiences and highlighted how our society often imposes unnecessary challenges on disabled people. These writings truly stood out to me. It was so incredible, I had to keep my notes open on my phone to jot down all the impactful quotes. One quote from the book that particularly resonated with me is by Liz Moore, who writes: 'People ask me, 'Have you tried yoga? Kombucha? This special water?' And I don't have the energy to explain that yes, I've tried them. I've tried crystals and healing drum circles and prayer, and everything. What I want to try is acceptance. I want to see what happens if I can simply accept myself for who I am. … ' Moore's words capture the exhausting cycle of trying countless unsolicited advice, which is all too familiar. I found relatability with people whose stories, while different from mine, echoed familiar themes of resilience, advocacy, and self-acceptance. It challenged me to think about eczema not just as a medical condition but as a lived experience that shapes identity and community. This book helped me reclaim the narrative around my skin, giving me the courage to speak more openly about the challenges and triumphs that come with managing eczema. The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World by Tiffany Yu Last October, I attended Chronicon in NYC, and as I walked in, a bright orange book was placed on every chair. I hadn't heard of it before, but I was instantly curious and eager to dive into its pages. The book was written by Tiffany Yu, who shared her powerful story of resilience and advocacy. At just 9 years old, she was involved in a car accident that left her with a brachial plexus injury, resulting in permanent paralysis of her right arm. Tragically, the accident also claimed her father's life. Despite this life-altering experience, she went on to build a successful career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, then became a disability advocate. Her manifesto is a bold call to action, challenging not just systemic barriers but also the way society perceives disability. This book dives into topics like workplace accommodations and the subtle everyday microaggressions people with disabilities often face. I found myself connecting deeply with the sections about how ableism intersects with chronic illness. It made me reflect on my own experiences with eczema, particularly the ways health care conversations can impact self-worth. She teaches us that change doesn't always come in big, sweeping gestures; it's often rooted in the everyday actions of those who dare to speak up and support one another. How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide by Toni Bernhard This is an older book that I read some time ago, and I can't quite recall how I came across it, but I do remember how profoundly it moved me at the time. Toni Bernhard, a lifelong educator who was teaching at UC-Davis, discovered that her immune system was in overdrive due to chronic fatigue syndrome, now referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Toni talked about her spiritual connection to Buddhism and how, once she got sick, she had to set that aside to focus on her health. Her book shared practical ways to cope with the unpredictability of chronic illness while nurturing a sense of calm and acceptance. As someone living with eczema, I know firsthand how some days my skin feels like it's on fire, while other days, I barely notice the flare-ups. Reading her words was a gentle reminder to make peace with my body, even on tough days. Managing my skin's unpredictability calls for self-compassion. Toni's insights taught me to be kinder to myself and to understand that living well doesn't always mean being symptom-free, it's about finding small moments of peace even in the midst of discomfort. These three books have shaped how I advocate, how I heal, and hold space for others. While I continue to add to my bookshelf, these three will always hold a special place. I hope to one day contribute my own voice to the conversation by writing a book that shares my realities of living with eczema (and food and environmental allergies). Until then, I'll keep reading, learning, and advocating, one page at a time.
