Dissolving brain rust
Anthropic recently released Claude Cowork, which promises key capabilities like 1) direct local file access, 2) sub-agent coordination, 3) professional outputs, and 4) long-running tasks. I haven't tried the software yet — but the author of the Wired article seems to be a fan.
All this talk and hype about the tool reminds me of the term I first heard from Dr. Alok Kanojia (known on the internet as Healthy gamer GG): “brain rust.” Essentially, this is a middle point between a perfectly healthy functioning brain and the “brain rot” we have come to know. Brain rot is the cognitive decline and fatigue that occurs when you consume low-value content at breakneck speeds (think doom-scrolling Instagram Reels till you feel exhausted). Worst of all, the development of this low-quality content is getting easier with text-to-video Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms. Meaning that we no longer need humans to create the brain-destroying garbage we call content. That said, “brain rot” is a topic for another day — “brain rust” is the star of today’s post.
Brain rust captures the reality that we are seeing the rapid rise of cognitive deskilling across the labour market. Many current AI agents have been targeted at software development. Still, we are promised that eventually these agentic models will take over every part of the labour market (whether or not that is true is highly debated). For those who may not be aware, AI agents are simply systems that can conduct tasks using large language models (e.g., ChatGPT) as their foundation. To help with the distinction between generative models (e.g., ChatGPT) and agentic models, imagine this scenario. In one case (generative), you ask ChatGPT to generate a bunch of different date options. It complies and populates a list for you — but you have to go out and purchase the tickets or set up the reservation. In the other case (agentic), you ask the same generative model for date options, but it can buy the tickets or set up the reservation for you.
Now this is a very simplistic depiction of the tools — if you are interested in finding out more, search for AI agents, and a bunch of explainer videos and articles will pop up — but it highlights that if we continue down this trajectory, many of the complex tasks humans are paid for would be automated with machines.
The more we outsource these skilled activities to machines, the worse off we are. We would become subservient to machines, unable to think or act for ourselves. This makes you highly replaceable and controllable, putting your position in jeopardy.
So how can we dissolve brain rust without completely shutting out technological advancements? I do not want to give the impression that I am anti-AI. You are more at risk of being replaced if you are entirely opposed to AI. Use the tools — but use them wisely. I have outlined a few ideas for you to consider and adopt if they suit your needs:
Do deliberate deep analog work. Does your job involve writing or breaking down complex ideas? Then do that every week without the assistance of any digital thinking tools. Read a paper book, grapple with complex concepts, and write about them. Maybe you will get it wrong, but you will be better off for it. This is just one example — that can and should be tailored to whatever deep work you need to complete. Like any muscle, the brain needs to be trained. Think of this as hitting the gym for your brain.
Go to a place where there are no distractions. When you are about to engage in this deliberate work, do not make it harder for yourself. If needed, put your phone in another room, turn off notifications, and restrict internet access. Anything to make this deep work as frictionless as possible. You would not ask an alcoholic to abstain from drinking but also put a bottle of vodka beside them. That is way harder than it needs to be.
Practice doing nothing. We are overstimulated and always have a way to distract ourselves. Sit and do nothing. I heard this great idea — have not done it myself as it honestly frightens me, but who knows, maybe I will give it a try — go to an art exhibition, sit, and stare at a painting for 3 hours. Not 30 min or anything shorter. I have heard that this works wonders, but again, I have not tried it myself.
Choose interaction over vegetation. Have you been mindlessly scrolling on social media or just consuming content suggested to you by an AI system? Try engaging with the material instead. Ask yourself whether it was worth consuming or wrestle with the arguments made. You may soon realize the banality of the stuff you are putting into your brain. I sure did.
Above all else, remember that we are sacrificing the things we want for the things we are chasing. You are chasing stimulation but sacrificing the true pleasures in life: spending time with loved ones, working on meaningful stuff, or just admiring nature's beauty, and at the same time risking your brain. I hope some of the ideas will help you navigate the world of AI.
Take care,
Emanuel