Summary of the Key Points
The central argument of this article is that AI, as a “super lever” that amplifies human capabilities, is quietly eroding our most crucial skill: judgment. It makes us increasingly dependent on the “standard answers” provided by algorithms, leading to homogenized thinking (where everyone’s ideas start to look similar). This could ultimately result in us losing the ability to think independently and becoming a “proletariat of judgment”—people without core competencies. The article also explores the reasons for this phenomenon, its dangers, and how we can avoid being assimilated by AI.
Detailed Analysis
1. AI is making our minds more “homogeneous” – both physically and intellectually
Have you noticed that most cars on the streets now come in black, gray, and white? New cafes have an industrial design (recycled wood, Edison-style light bulbs, marble)? Airbnb listings often resemble IKEA or MUJI decor? Even faces on social media increasingly look like those of internet celebrities? This is what the article calls the “age of homogenization”—a global pursuit of the “optimal solution” that leads to conformity.
With the advent of AI, this trend has spread from appearance to thought. Research from MIT shows that students using ChatGPT for writing have reduced activity in the brain waves associated with creativity (alpha waves) and memory (theta waves), as if their brains are becoming “rusty.” Even more concerning is the high degree of consistency in their responses. For example, when asked whether success should bring happiness to others, everyone links happiness to career success; when asked whether the rich should help the poor, everyone agrees without any dissent.
A study from Cornell University found that people from the United States and India using AI to write about food often mention pizza, sushi, or Christmas, rather than their country’s own specialties like chicken biryani or Diwali dishes. Even if someone tries to describe Indian cuisine, AI tends to replace specific details with general terms like “rich spice flavors.” AI naturally prefers the most common patterns, erasing all uniqueness and homogenizing our thoughts.
2. Why are we being “controlled” by AI? – Invisible rules and “convenience traps”
AI doesn’t force us directly; instead, it uses subtle methods to make us follow its lead:
- Invisible agreements: Just as you have to follow TCP/IP protocols to use the internet, using AI means adhering to its logic. It offers “smoother” and more popular options, such as suggesting the best phrasing for emails. Over time, you become accustomed to these expressions and are constrained by its rules. As former Prime Minister Thatcher said, it feels like there’s no other choice; AI makes us believe that only its answers are correct.
- Convenience traps: Thinking is exhausting (it involves facing contradictions and taking risks), so AI eliminates these burdens. For example, it provides templates and content for reports, freeing you from the mental effort. However, over time, the “muscles” of our thinking atrophy. As one Stanford student said, “Without AI, my brain works more slowly.”
- Self-reinforcing cycles: The amount of content generated by AI (such as articles written with its help) continues to grow, and this content is used to train future versions of AI. As a result, AI’s output becomes increasingly mediocre, and so does our thinking—a self-defeating cycle that leads to a more closed-off mindset.
3. The paradox of leverage: AI gives you a “helicopter,” but takes away your ability to climb mountains
Naval Ravikant, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist, once said, “Judgment × Leverage = Success.” Leverage is a tool that amplifies your abilities (such as capital, code, AI), but judgment is the key. Without it, even the most powerful leverage is useless. For instance, the difference in judgment between two CEO candidates (75% vs. 85%) can be worth hundreds of millions in annual salary, as it determines the fate of a company.
However, AI’s approach is the opposite: it provides you with answers without requiring effort. It’s like wanting to climb a mountain for the view but having the option of being airlifted to the top by helicopter. You see the view without experiencing the process of climbing (sweating, getting lost, making decisions). The act of climbing itself is where judgment is truly developed; AI skips this process, giving you the result but taking away the ability to develop that judgment. This is like borrowing money at high interest rates—using future judgment for immediate convenience, only to find yourself unable to do anything on your own in the end.
4. The cost of homogenization: We are losing our unique identity
What do we lose when everyone’s thoughts are the same? Our ability to interact with those who are different from us and embrace diverse ideas. For example, arguments and challenging articles help us grow. AI eliminates these interactions, creating a “comfortable bubble,” but within it, we become increasingly numb.
Philosopher Martin Heidegger discussed the concept of “being-there” (Dasein), suggesting that modern technology turns everything into “utilizable resources.” Rivers are no longer seen as living entities but as sources of energy; our thoughts are no longer unique but as content that can be optimized. The Stanford student’s observation about slower thinking without AI reflects this emptiness—our thoughts are outsourced by AI, making our existence meaningless.
5. How to avoid being assimilated by AI: Become a “ghost within the machine”
Confronting AI’s homogenizing effects doesn’t mean rejecting it; rather, we need to learn to coexist with it:
- Embrace cognitive friction: Deliberately choose challenging paths (such as reading books that require deep reflection or engaging in meaningful conversations). These challenges exercise our judgment.
- Use AI as a tool, not a teacher: Don’t let AI give you answers; instead, use it to generate questions that provoke thought (e.g., “What if cats ruled the world?”).
- Maintain spaces of inefficiency: Engage in pointless activities or maintain outdated hobbies. These aspects of our lives that algorithms cannot optimize represent our uniqueness and serve as a spiritual anchor against conformity.
In conclusion, the article warns us that the true victims of AI are not those who are replaced by it, but those who abandon independent thinking and let AI make decisions for them. In the age of AI, we must remain “ghosts within the machine”—upholding our uniqueness and avoiding complete control by algorithms.