At least group think, conformity, and obedience will be safe

[CO. Hoosier]

Here is a link about how AI is destroying the human abilities for critical thinking and problem solving. I agree.

I think this is a danger to those who don’t take measures to preserve these skills. In my case, i don’t know phone umbers like I used to, I simply tap a name on my phone. Not AI related and maybe not diminishing of thinking skills. But does affect memory skills. Over dependence on AI further separates high achievers from the masses. Bad education is already handicapping America. Using AI to accommodate poor education will not improve education or thinking skills or improve the joys of being alive.

Study Finds That People Who Entrust Tasks to AI Are Losing Critical Thinking Skills

Trusting AI over the real thing seems, per a new study, to actually be atrophying folks' mental faculties.

futurism.com

 

[Bowlmania]

Social media had a big head-start on AI.

Check this out, from a source you like!

And the brain rot starts at a young age. Tell your grandkids to get their kids off social media.

What is brain rot? The science behind what obsessive scrolling does to our brains

Some experts believe that constant, endless scrolling of social media and other online content is doing exactly that – rotting our brains.

nypost.com

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

People already believe obvious nonsense. Some of the AI generated stuff isn't so obvious and it's dangerous:

Viral AI video depicts celebrities protesting Ye's antisemitic remarks

Scarlett Johansson, one of the celebrities depicted in the AI-generated video, has spoken out against the "misuse of AI."

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Marvin the Martian]

The overall debate of the impact on memory goes back a long time. The book Moonwalking with Einstein is on the world memory championships and a person's desire to qualify and take part.

The person is the author and they discuss a history of human memory. The Old Testament, as one example, was memorized and passed down. Not many people today could memorize a book in the OT.

Which led to the debate on writing. It seems when writing was invented more than a few worried it would destroy our memory. I am sure, to an extent, it did.

But also it taught us to think differently. I suspect AI will be similar. We will lose today skills but gain tomorrow skills.

Which will work until we lose our technology.

 

[mcmurtry66]

The overall debate of the impact on memory goes back a long time. The book Moonwalking with Einstein is on the world memory championships and a person's desire to qualify and take part.

The person is the author and they discuss a history of human memory. The Old Testament, as one example, was memorized and passed down. Not many people today could memorize a book in the OT.

Which led to the debate on writing. It seems when writing was invented more than a few worried it would destroy our memory. I am sure, to an extent, it did.

But also it taught us to think differently. I suspect AI will be similar. We will lose today skills but gain tomorrow skills.

Which will work until we lose our technology.

My daughter is 14. All of her friends are on social media. All of them are on their phones. She’d be a pariah if she wasn’t. And maybe playing devil’s advocate they will have a commonality bc of how they’ve been conditioned and create a different milieu than what we are accustomed to as you note. Maybe sitting with a book will actually retard the growth that’s in keeping with what everyone is doing

 

[Marvin the Martian]

My daughter is 14. All of her friends are on social media. All of them are on their phones. She’d be a pariah if she wasn’t. And maybe playing devil’s advocate they will have a commonality bc of how they’ve been conditioned and create a different milieu than what we are accustomed to as you note. Maybe sitting with a book will actually retard the growth that’s in keeping with what everyone is doing

On things like this I like to think it is not better, not worse, just different.

Growing up in a multi-generational home my grandfather told me that my dad's generation, "The Greatest Generation", was made lazy by radio. This was after my dad complained about my generation watching TV. We complain about social media. The next gen, it will probably be VR. We have VR, but we don't have great VR.

 

[mcmurtry66]

On things like this I like to think it is not better, not worse, just different.

Growing up in a multi-generational home my grandfather told me that my dad's generation, "The Greatest Generation", was made lazy by radio. This was after my dad complained about my generation watching TV. We complain about social media. The next gen, it will probably be VR. We have VR, but we don't have great VR.

For sure. They will just be different. And there are things they do that don’t comport with our norms. My daughter’s crew are all popular and cute and sweet and funny but do things that drive me crazy. Don’t look people in the eyes when they meet them. Don’t shake hands with firm grips. By third grade I had a better public speaking voice and delivery than all of them combined. They have these detailed amazing projects and present them with marbles in their mouths. It’s just different. You’re right

 

[UncleMark]

Here is a link about how AI is destroying the human abilities for critical thinking and problem solving. I agree.

I think this is a danger to those who don’t take measures to preserve these skills. In my case, i don’t know phone umbers like I used to, I simply tap a name on my phone. Not AI related and maybe not diminishing of thinking skills. But does affect memory skills. Over dependence on AI further separates high achievers from the masses. Bad education is already handicapping America. Using AI to accommodate poor education will not improve education or thinking skills or improve the joys of being alive.

Study Finds That People Who Entrust Tasks to AI Are Losing Critical Thinking Skills

Trusting AI over the real thing seems, per a new study, to actually be atrophying folks' mental faculties.

futurism.com

The sky is falling!

 

[jet812]

Here is a link about how AI is destroying the human abilities for critical thinking and problem solving. I agree.

I think this is a danger to those who don’t take measures to preserve these skills. In my case, i don’t know phone umbers like I used to, I simply tap a name on my phone. Not AI related and maybe not diminishing of thinking skills. But does affect memory skills. Over dependence on AI further separates high achievers from the masses. Bad education is already handicapping America. Using AI to accommodate poor education will not improve education or thinking skills or improve the joys of being alive.

Study Finds That People Who Entrust Tasks to AI Are Losing Critical Thinking Skills

Trusting AI over the real thing seems, per a new study, to actually be atrophying folks' mental faculties.

futurism.com

In other words, the rest of society will be like modern day Dems?😉

 

[dr.jb]

Here is a link about how AI is destroying the human abilities for critical thinking and problem solving. I agree.

I think this is a danger to those who don’t take measures to preserve these skills. In my case, i don’t know phone umbers like I used to, I simply tap a name on my phone. Not AI related and maybe not diminishing of thinking skills. But does affect memory skills. Over dependence on AI further separates high achievers from the masses. Bad education is already handicapping America. Using AI to accommodate poor education will not improve education or thinking skills or improve the joys of being alive.

Study Finds That People Who Entrust Tasks to AI Are Losing Critical Thinking Skills

Trusting AI over the real thing seems, per a new study, to actually be atrophying folks' mental faculties.

futurism.com

AI?

"and to think she wanted to be my president"



latex salesman would be good for her

 

[CO. Hoosier]

ut also it taught us to think differently. I suspect AI will be similar. We will lose today skills but gain tomorrow skills.

How do think this plays out? What kind of tomorrow skills separate from problem solving and critical thinking?

I read (and posted) sone time ago how doing mundane tasks supports healthy aging and holds off some forms of dementia and depression. The more AI thinks and solves problems, the more we don’t do that. This isn’t like radio.

 

[HurryingHoosiers]

In other words, the rest of society will be like modern day Dems?😉

or like MAGA sheep. take your pick

 

[mcmurtry66]

How do think this plays out? What kind of tomorrow skills separate from problem solving and critical thinking?

I read (and posted) sone time ago how doing mundane tasks supports healthy aging and holds off some forms of dementia and depression. The more AI thinks and solves problems, the more we don’t do that. This isn’t like radio.

The problems will be different. The way we think and will have to think will evolve. We don’t even know what that’ll look like yet

 

[CO. Hoosier]

The problems will be different. The way we think and will have to think will evolve. We don’t even know what that’ll look like yet

I read Kasparov’s book about this. He wrote a lot about his Big Blue match. His conclusion was that AI can’t (shouldn’t) ever be more than a tool. People will always (should) be a step ahead. My fear is that many people don’t see humans as being or staying a step ahead.

 

[mcmurtry66]

I read Kasparov’s book about this. He wrote a lot about his Big Blue match. His conclusion was that AI can’t (shouldn’t) ever be more than a tool. People will always (should) be a step ahead. My fear is that many people don’t see humans as being or staying a step ahead.

I think you’re presupposing regression on the part of humans. We will advance but in different ways.

 

[IUclover]

Honestly, I see pros and cons with AI. Off the top of my head, here are some things I considered...

AI has the potential to both hinder and enhance human critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, depending on how it is used.

How AI Might Be Hindering Critical Thinking:​

1. Over-Reliance on Automation – People may become dependent on AI for answers, reducing their willingness to think deeply or problem-solve independently.
2. Reduced Need for Memorization – Since AI can provide instant answers, individuals may not engage in the deeper cognitive processing that strengthens learning and retention.
3. Erosion of Creativity – If AI is used as a shortcut for creative processes (writing, coding, designing, etc.), people might rely on it instead of developing original ideas.
4. Misinformation and Bias – AI-generated content can sometimes be incorrect or biased, and users who don’t critically analyze information could spread or believe falsehoods.
5. Decline in Traditional Skills – As AI tools automate tasks like math, writing, and research, people may lose proficiency in these areas.

How AI Might Enhance Critical Thinking:​

1. Faster Access to Information – AI can provide diverse perspectives and insights, allowing users to engage with complex topics and improve decision-making.
2. Encourages Deeper Inquiry – If used correctly, AI can spark curiosity, leading users to ask better questions and refine their critical thinking.
3. Enhances Problem-Solving – AI can analyze vast amounts of data and provide insights that humans might not see, which can aid in more sophisticated problem-solving.
4. Assists in Learning – AI-powered education tools can adapt to learners' needs, reinforcing critical thinking rather than replacing it.
5. Promotes Debate and Discussion – AI-generated content can be used as a starting point for discussions, encouraging people to critique, analyze, and refine ideas.

Final Thought:​

AI itself isn’t inherently destroying critical thinking—it’s how we use it that matters. If people engage with AI passively, it could lead to cognitive decline. But if they use it as a tool to enhance their reasoning, research, and problem-solving, it can be a powerful asset. The key is maintaining a balance—using AI to support thinking, not replace it.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

We will advance but in different ways.

I tend to agree, but those who use AI to advance their mental skills will be a smaller and smaller group.

 

[IUclover]

On a serious note, I believe that AI can be a benefit to those who use it as a resource and even more of a detriment to those who mindlessly enter a question, then copy/paste the response to their homework/discussion board without even looking at the response. In previous threads, I've discussed how my wife deals with the latter as a part-time online college instructor. Some students don't even attempt to address the essay/question prompts and they don't understand why they fail or nearly fail the class. They put no thought and effort into learning the subject - absolutely no critical thinking.

Similarly, my friend told me this is a problem with college scholarship application essays. Students tell odd and unusual stories with a random quote from some author from the 1850s. Some essays use a vocabulary as if the student has a 1920s Transatlantic accent. These essays all have the same sentence and paragraph structure as well. Then there are students who obviously use AI as a resource to clean up their essay, which isn't a problem if they address the prompt and personalize the story.

Anyway, yeah, good and bad with the bad leading to more bad.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

We will advance but in different ways.

I like to think the growing ubiquitousness of pickleball is a sign that things will be fine.

 

[mcmurtry66]

I like to think the growing ubiquitousness of pickleball is a sign that things will be fine.

Ha. We’re actually replacing pickleball courts with trac ball fields. It’s the sport of 2026

 

[Marvin the Martian]

How do think this plays out? What kind of tomorrow skills separate from problem solving and critical thinking?

I read (and posted) sone time ago how doing mundane tasks supports healthy aging and holds off some forms of dementia and depression. The more AI thinks and solves problems, the more we don’t do that. This isn’t like radio.

I don't think AI will end people thinking about things. In some areas it may well help people think about things. AI may discover better ways for us to learn languages and that is always considered a great neuroplasticity endeavor.

I suspect we'll develop more games that people will need to think and apply problem-solving and critical thinking. The part of my job I love is the problem solving, I love restricting variables to find the one causing the problem. Think Luminosity but more as we can turn AI lose on finding better games than they have.

I don't know when AI is going to get this creativity thing down pat (sometimes now it can be very good). Until AI does get creativity down, having AI calculate the speed of an unladen swallow while we create art is still there.

Once we get to VR, then we can really learn. I love military history, VR can REALLY put me into commanding a corps for Napoleon and making decisions. Not just the counters on paper maps I use today.

This is all an opportunity for someone. Someone will figure out how to get AI to really test our skills. Maybe by having AI revolt and we have to figure out how to stop it .

 

[Cortez88]

Ha. We’re actually replacing pickleball courts with trac ball fields. It’s the sport of 2026

That hard plastic ball would f$ck you up! That thing had to have killed a few kids.

Hey, after we throw some trac balls around, let’s get the yard jarts out.

 

[mcmurtry66]

That hard plastic ball would f$ck you up! That thing had to have killed a few kids.

Hey, after we throw some trac balls around, let’s get the yard jarts out.

Man that curve was satisfying tho

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

People already believe obvious nonsense. Some of the AI generated stuff isn't so obvious and it's dangerous:

Viral AI video depicts celebrities protesting Ye's antisemitic remarks

Scarlett Johansson, one of the celebrities depicted in the AI-generated video, has spoken out against the "misuse of AI."

www.cbsnews.com

It's incredible how realistic that video looks, which more than upholds the notion that AI is incredibly dangerous.

 

[Baller23Boogie]

On a serious note, I believe that AI can be a benefit to those who use it as a resource and even more of a detriment to those who mindlessly enter a question, then copy/paste the response to their homework/discussion board without even looking at the response. In previous threads, I've discussed how my wife deals with the latter as a part-time online college instructor. Some students don't even attempt to address the essay/question prompts and they don't understand why they fail or nearly fail the class. They put no thought and effort into learning the subject - absolutely no critical thinking.

Similarly, my friend told me this is a problem with college scholarship application essays. Students tell odd and unusual stories with a random quote from some author from the 1850s. Some essays use a vocabulary as if the student has a 1920s Transatlantic accent. These essays all have the same sentence and paragraph structure as well. Then there are students who obviously use AI as a resource to clean up their essay, which isn't a problem if they address the prompt and personalize the story.

Anyway, yeah, good and bad with the bad leading to more bad.

My daughter's boss had her do a power point presentation for a raise. She showed it to me and instantly I knew it was AI... there's no way that was written by a C level student.

 

[UncleMark]

The part of my job I love is the problem solving, I love restricting variables to find the one causing the problem.

When I was fixing borken boxes the best part was the initial assessment followed by the first educated guess at the cause and the first approach or first run of whatever tool I thought was appropriate. Toward the end I had gotten to the point where my first hunch was right more often than not. Sometimes it was just a feel. I'd tell the user I could just smell 'em out.

 

[IUclover]

When I was fixing borken boxes the best part was the initial assessment followed by the first educated guess at the cause and the first approach or first run of whatever tool I thought was appropriate. Toward the end I had gotten to the point where my first hunch was right more often than not. Sometimes it was just a feel. I'd tell the user I could just smell 'em out.

After spending 30 minutes earlier going off of my hunch's and not finding a resolution to a new problem with one of our systems, I typed in two words on the software's support site and received an AI generated response that was the fix to the problem. I feel so defeated.

 

[mattndallas]

 

[BradStevens]

Half in jest, half in all seriousness: when VR is mastered, along with AI, porn might end civilization as we know it.

 

[The Original Happy Goat]

Ha. We’re actually replacing pickleball courts with trac ball fields. It’s the sport of 2026

Jesus. How many fake sports am I going to have to learn? Getting old sucks balls.

 

[The Original Happy Goat]

Half in jest, half in all seriousness: when VR is mastered, along with AI, porn might end civilization as we know it.

@Marvin the Martian could tell you that is one of the possible solutions for the Fermi paradox.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

@Marvin the Martian could tell you that is one of the possible solutions for the Fermi paradox.

I almost put that in and deleted it. We have met no advanced civilizations because once VR is discovered everything else stops. No need to explore the universe if one has everything they could possibly want in the VR.

 

[BradStevens]

@Marvin the Martian could tell you that is one of the possible solutions for the Fermi paradox.

I see you, @TheRealAlfalfa

 

[BradStevens]

I almost put that in and deleted it. We have met no advanced civilizations because once VR is discovered everything else stops. No need to explore the universe if one has everything they could possibly want in the VR.

I can't wait. Bring it on.

 

[The Original Happy Goat]

I can't wait. Bring it on.

I mean if you had access to a Star Trek style holodeck (with parental controls turned off), you have to admit the odds you stay in there forever are at least non-zero.

 

[BradStevens]

I mean if you had access to a Star Trek style holodeck (with parental controls turned off), you have to admit the odds you stay in there forever are at least non-zero.

VRgpt, turn on.

How are you today, Brad?

Fine, fine.

What would you like to do today?

Protocol: infinite banners.

Again?

Yes.

So you'd like to be an IU student, now, with medical breakthroughs preventing all unwanted pregnancies and STDs, and Brad Stevens announced as the next IU basketball coach?

Run it.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I mean if you had access to a Star Trek style holodeck (with parental controls turned off), you have to admit the odds you stay in there forever are at least non-zero.

I always hated the holodeck in ST:TNG. First, for the reason already mentioned. If that holodeck exists, no one is running around the galaxy. Second, if they did, they wouldn't allow a recreational component that almost destroys the ship every other mission.

 

[BradStevens]

I always hated the holodeck in ST:TNG. First, for the reason already mentioned. If that holodeck exists, no one is running around the galaxy. Second, if they did, they wouldn't allow a recreational component that almost destroys the ship every other mission.

I loved it.

 

[Mark Milton]

Here is a link about how AI is destroying the human abilities for critical thinking and problem solving. I agree.

I think this is a danger to those who don’t take measures to preserve these skills. In my case, i don’t know phone umbers like I used to, I simply tap a name on my phone. Not AI related and maybe not diminishing of thinking skills. But does affect memory skills. Over dependence on AI further separates high achievers from the masses. Bad education is already handicapping America. Using AI to accommodate poor education will not improve education or thinking skills or improve the joys of being alive.

Study Finds That People Who Entrust Tasks to AI Are Losing Critical Thinking Skills

Trusting AI over the real thing seems, per a new study, to actually be atrophying folks' mental faculties.

futurism.com

Sir, we are are going to have to agree on this one. Sooooo nice that you have ditched the shackles of neoconservatism and embraced the the creativity that is engendered by submission to a radical left position.

Most colleges have filters for AI--it does a great job of catching people using it. There are significant consequences for using AI at both my kids' colleges --they want to see creativity and how you think. For example, the oldest kid has a thesis paper --a year long process that will yield about 120 pages of work. At the begining of the year, each student meets with a faculty advisor on their thesis. They are instructed to write 3 pages of introduction what they want to say--1 page must be written by AI, but the professor doesn't know which page. Those 3 pages are run through a filter and AI is caught everytime--even if the student edits it. The thesis is then run through a filter every two weeks. I think that makes good practice. The goal is a great one--use your mind and talent to write.

I've given two lectures on AI to groups of Architects and Engineers--about 50-60 or so, mostly beteween the ages of 40 and 60. Most of the older crowd refuse to use AI, and to T, they offer the following: (1) it stifles the creativity--i.e, these guys and gals like to design and be creative; and (2) AI can't pick up all and process all the nuances, codes, conflcits, etc that is inherent in designing buildings. In other words, even if item number 2 can addressed and cured, these poeple still don't want to use AI because they enjoy the process of their own creativity and critical thinking. That's a good thing. I do worry about the younger generation though.

Funny you mention the phone thing. I have no idea what my kids' phone number are. I only remember my wifes because she has had the same number since before the iphone. I can remember my home phone number growing up though, but the clicking on a name as you pointed out, at least for me, means I have no idea what your number is.

Kudos on your enlightment--we will celebrate with the urban proletariat on the nearest beet and turnip farm

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Sir, we are are going to have to agree on this one. Sooooo nice that you have ditched the shackles of neoconservatism and embraced the the creativity that is engendered by submission to a radical left position.

Most colleges have filters for AI--it does a great job of catching people using it. There are significant consequences for using AI at both my kids' colleges --they want to see creativity and how you think. For example, the oldest kid has a thesis paper --a year long process that will yield about 120 pages of work. At the begining of the year, each student meets with a faculty advisor on their thesis. They are instructed to write 3 pages of introduction what they want to say--1 page must be written by AI, but the professor doesn't know which page. Those 3 pages are run through a filter and AI is caught everytime--even if the student edits it. The thesis is then run through a filter every two weeks. I think that makes good practice. The goal is a great one--use your mind and talent to write.

I've given two lectures on AI to groups of Architects and Engineers--about 50-60 or so, mostly beteween the ages of 40 and 60. Most of the older crowd refuse to use AI, and to T, they offer the following: (1) it stifles the creativity--i.e, these guys and gals like to design and be creative; and (2) AI can't pick up all and process all the nuances, codes, conflcits, etc that is inherent in designing buildings. In other words, even if item number 2 can addressed and cured, these poeple still don't want to use AI because they enjoy the process of their own creativity and critical thinking. That's a good thing. I do worry about the younger generation though.

Funny you mention the phone thing. I have no idea what my kids' phone number are. I only remember my wifes because she has had the same number since before the iphone. I can remember my home phone number growing up though, but the clicking on a name as you pointed out, at least for me, means I have no idea what your number is.

Kudos on your enlightment--we will celebrate with the urban proletariat on the nearest beet and turnip farm

I am taking a physics class this semester and the professor puts the problems in picture form to make it pretty tough to feed AI. So there are ways professors try to stop AI. But you are right, people who love physics aren't going to feed questions to AI, they want to learn this stuff. Heck, programmable calculators are allowed and I found myself using paper and pencil. The people who would use AI are the same ones who, in the old days, got the answers from friends who took the test earlier.

Due to technological advancements, the test I took yesterday supposedly had the same question with different numbers for each student. So if calculating acceleration, the time to reach a velocity and the start or final velocity would be different for each person. That would have been tougher to grade back in the day. So it is getting harder to cheat, in some ways.