How to reverse AI brain rot — A note to myself

Stop chasing frictionless convenience

Accept some slowness and complexity in your life. Don't use shortcuts everywhere even if they're easily available to you. Embrace manual effort to train your mind and body. It's the only way to grow and retain personal agency in a world where that's no longer required.

Examples include:
— Read a physical book instead of scrolling summaries
— Watch a movie instead of scrolling 10second TikToks (I know, ironic)
— Write physical notes even if your main note taking is digital (and that's ok)
— Carry heavy groceries instead of using shopping cart (if you can)
— Take the stairs instead of the escalator, its the little things that make a difference

Resist over-automation.

Keep skills alive that a machine could easily replace, even if it's inefficient. Cooking, writing, repairing, designing etc. Automate everything else if you don't see value in it. But don't just over-automate for the sake of it.

Examples include:
— Try to fix things when they break, sewing, wrenching, have fun with it
— Write long form articles just for the sake of it, it helps you think better
— Edit photos yourself instead of using presets, train your eye and mind
— Write code or design by hand even if AI could do it for you. If you find a task that you actually enjoy, do it manually even if it takes longer.

Value process over results.

Find your meaning in the making, not just in the arriving. I know, sounds so cliche. But the journey is the destination, never forget this. It's the only thing you'll remember when you look back. There's no story to tell without hardship, no satisfaction without the journey. Results today are faster than ever to achieve, the the fastest are often the most meaningless. Try to find a balance in which you don't just chase the results only.

Choose depth over speed, always.

Read long-form articles or books and you'll notice your mind slowly repairing itself. Build long projects, stick with something and don't give up too easily. Train your patience. Don't be scared of boredom. Believe it or not, boredom is the doorway to depth in some way. Most people wouldn't know because we're running away from it, filling every minute with entertainment and distraction. People can barely commit to a 2min video these days. Try to commit to something that lasts longer than a day, longer than a month, longer than a year, see how far you can make it.

Preserve human rituals.

Long conversations that seem to go nowhere. Handwritten notes, physical exercise or craftsmanship. Those things bind the mind to the body, so to speak. Effort manifesting as form is a wonderful way to "feel yourself".

Limit dependence on algorithms.

Make your own decisions, do your own research, think for yourself. Don't let algorithms choose your books, films or music. Reclaim unstructured browsing, wander off the "For You" path.

Yours truly,
Tobias