February 1, 2026
Ink vs. Think
English professors double down on requiring printed copies of readings
Paper vs pixels: profs go old-school to fight AI while students roast the "required option"
TLDR: Yale English profs are axing screens and requiring printed readings to reduce AI reliance and boost focus. Commenters question whether paper really blocks AI, roast the “required option” wording, gripe about costs, and debate whether tablets enable better reading, making this a flashpoint in the tech-vs-classroom culture war.
English departments are staging a paper comeback to curb AI and screen distractions, with Yale instructors pushing printed packets and physical books—some costing $20 to a gulp-inducing $150. Professors say paper means sharper focus, fewer chatbot crutches, and better discussion vibes. Students get printing aid, but the sticker shock still stings.
The comment section instantly split into camps. One crew asked the obvious: How does paper stop AI? If an essay is written at home, bots still lurk. Skeptics called the print push “AI theater,” wondering how long this resistance lasts. The snark brigade went after phrasing—“required option” became a meme, with readers joking it’s like being forced to choose a salad or else.
Meanwhile, tech-tinkerers argued modern tablets allow searchable, annotated reading, and even touted speed-reading methods that “beat print by a mile.” Others tossed bigger grenades: one commenter blamed teacher unions for schools going digital; another confessed pricey coursebooks led to good old-fashioned piracy back in uni. The vibe? Paper purists vs. screen pragmatists, with costs, convenience, and classroom culture colliding. Professors want a screen-free sanctuary; commenters want proof it works—and cheaper packets. The drama is the syllabus now.
Key Points
- •Some Yale English professors are increasing requirements for printed readings and reducing in-class technology to counter AI and distraction concerns.
- •Professor Kim Shirkhani now requires printed options in “Reading and Writing the Modern Essay,” citing better focus and reduced reliance on chatbot summaries.
- •Professor Pamela Newton eliminated iPads in class (with accessibility exceptions) to limit tech use and encourage pen-and-paper work.
- •Yale offers programs to help students with printing costs; course packets via TYCO Print have increased year over year.
- •TYCO Print packet costs range from about $20 for shorter packets to over $150 for longer ones with basic binding.