Ask HN: I've been using AI for 3 years,I've lost the ability to think for myself

2 pointssnasan12d ago7 comments

7 comments

I feel the same way at times. There was a time I used to love writing, communicating and often "starting from scratch", but in the recent years where ChatGPT started replacing college assignments, I slowly stopped thinking originally, and started a feedback loop where everything I write, no matter what it is, has to get "checked" by an AI first.

I think changes comes slowly though, my way of starting change was writing this all by myself

snasanOP11d ago

I feel the same way, so I've started keeping a diary again — writing about my feelings, writing about my thoughts.

theGeatZhopa12d ago

As long you can open up a browser and tell HN about your experience there's ain't a problem.

It's a tool and I'm using it too. You forget things when you don't steady repeat them. It's a use it or lose it situation, but a win-win for your self empowerment.

So, how do you use it? May be you just need to change a little bit in your usage, like me switched on verbose mode answering so i can read what's actually being done during thinking steps and code. That keeps me busy babysitting that energy sucker. ...

snasanOP12d ago

I would tell AI my thought process and ideas, and ask it to help me write interview questions or generate an article. If I'm not satisfied—for example, if the wording is inappropriate, the language style is off, or something I wanted is missing—I'll have it revise until I'm happy with it. Now I rarely type on my own anymore. It's mostly copy and paste.

theGeatZhopa9d ago

I like to automate everything so even copy and paste would be a welcomed challenge for me :) so what you could need is a change in your workflow. Start exploring what's out there in terms of different user interfaces - may be another interface will make you more productive enjoying it more Again? Or, you could start to shape your workflow and to make it better where problems or unnecessaties slow you down..

So this will help you to be creative (which is thinking) and you will end up in something you actually can use without that monotoneism. My take would be to write a chrome extension that is able to add annotations in text inline (line ms word {} hidden auto tags) and can copy paste text into prompt input. Or standalone version of this with scripts.. make your live easy and enjoy the tools for selfempowerment! :)

manueltgomes12d ago

Bingo! Not using it is foolish! It's incredible and saves so much time, if used properly.

manueltgomes12d ago

I still remember that impulse, before AI, of googling everything before thinking a bit. AI as a technology is incredibly new and we're still figuring out how to use it, but things will stabilize. 'googling' everything also didn't take away our ability to think, so as long as you're aware, you can do something about it.

snasanOP12d ago

Thank you~~ I was thinking of giving up on using AI, but your words have given me confidence again."

sarahcollinscac12d ago

AI is useful, but I think structured learning tools still matter a lot, especially when explaining basic human concepts in a simple way.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

7 comments

flashing_lights12d ago

I think changes comes slowly though, my way of starting change was writing this all by myself

snasanOP11d ago

I feel the same way, so I've started keeping a diary again — writing about my feelings, writing about my thoughts.

theGeatZhopa12d ago

As long you can open up a browser and tell HN about your experience there's ain't a problem.

It's a tool and I'm using it too. You forget things when you don't steady repeat them. It's a use it or lose it situation, but a win-win for your self empowerment.

snasanOP12d ago

theGeatZhopa9d ago

manueltgomes12d ago

Bingo! Not using it is foolish! It's incredible and saves so much time, if used properly.

manueltgomes12d ago

snasanOP12d ago

Thank you~~ I was thinking of giving up on using AI, but your words have given me confidence again."

sarahcollinscac12d ago

AI is useful, but I think structured learning tools still matter a lot, especially when explaining basic human concepts in a simple way.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse