Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of actively practicing four key skills—learning faster, meeting deadlines in advance, embracing loneliness, and handwriting for cognitive offloading—to maintain and enhance one's thinking capabilities in an era dominated by digital distractions like TikTok and AI tools.

Abstract

The author argues that the overuse of digital platforms like TikTok and AI tools can lead to a decline in independent decision-making and learning. To counteract this, individuals should adopt four habits: learning faster by using techniques such as Feynman's method, meeting deadlines ahead of time to foster professionalism and satisfaction, embracing solitude for self-reflection and personal growth, and utilizing handwriting for better cognitive retention and focus. These practices are presented as a means to preserve one's ability to think critically and independently, ensuring that technology aids rather than diminishes our intellectual capabilities.

Opinions

The author suggests that the content on TikTok in the U.S. is less educational compared to its Chinese counterpart, which includes a child-friendly version with educational content and time limits.
There is a concern that reliance on AI, such as ChatGPT, is making individuals less capable of independent decision-making.
The Feynman technique is highlighted as an effective method for faster learning and comprehension, even for younger students.
Meeting deadlines early is seen as a sign of professionalism and a way to avoid the stress of last-minute rushes.
The article promotes the value of solitude, drawing on historical figures like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, who used journaling to reflect on their lives.
The author advocates for a balance between technology and traditional methods like handwriting, believing that over-reliance on digital tools can lead to early dementia and a lack of personal connection to one's tasks and goals.
The article concludes with a motivational quote from Theodore Roosevelt, reinforcing the belief that self-efficacy is a crucial step towards achieving one's potential.

You’ll Slowly Lose Your Thinking Capabilities if You Don’t Actively Practice These 4 Skills

Some people graduate at 20 but only understand life on their deathbed.

Since 2016, TikTok, a social platform, has reached over 3.5 billion downloads. The most common age group of users for TikTok falls between 15–40 years of age.

According to Ashley Nash:

“Tiktok’s content differs depending on the location. Although the same company owns them, China’s version of TikTok offers a child-friendly version — with educational videos and a time limit, that isn’t shown in the U.S.”

U.S. TikTok focuses on memes, pranks, and transitions, whereas Chinese TikTok emphasizes growth, maturity, and success. Therefore, the Chinese government wants kids to focus on building their careers rather than distracting their time.

But hear me out:

China has only 1.4 billion people. This means 6.4 billion people are still out there, using TikTok to waste their time and drift into the world of hopelessness.

TikTok is one side of the coin.

With AI tools like ChatGPT, TikTok, and Instagram, algorithms choose what to show us.

We are becoming slaves to the algorithm. This, in short, as Thomas Frank (an American politician) believes, lowers our thinking capabilities. Some time from now, we won’t be able to make decisions independently but will rely on ChatGPT.

However, practicing these four habits daily ensures that your mind doesn’t go on a vacation and your thinking capability isn’t affected. Let’s get started.

1 — Learn faster

AI can simplify things for you but won’t help you learn faster.

At the end of the way, students have to learn information by heart.

However, one must be aware of learning techniques to grasp any information quickly. Feynman’s technique is one that even a 12-year-old can follow.

It starts with:

Choose a concept
Teach it to yourself or someone (YouTube method)
Return to the source material if you’re stuck
And make analogies

First of all, take a look at the information. Point out the big words in the text and summarize the analysis.

Now, use the information and create a video about it. Post it randomly on YouTube under private mode. This technique helps build confidence through the pulled effort,

Revise your content again and again so you don’t forget the content. Make analogies or symbolize your text with anything funny.

I use the same technique to remember details from a book I am reading or for university assignments. Because, in the end, AI can’t help you learn things.

2 — Meeting deadlines in advance

We sometimes overestimate our capabilities.

We stretch every assignment, every task, and every call to the brink of infinite oblivion.

Doing things before time gives you a sense of satisfaction that you might not achieve otherwise. Don’t wait for a last-minute rush to complete everything.

Finish work early. The time invested will be the same. The satisfaction of working and delivering on time gets a long way. To be ahead of schedule, follow these practices:

Mentally challenge your deadlines: set an earlier deadline than the actual deadline. For example, if you have to deliver a task by Friday, set a mental deadline of Tuesday to avoid procrastination.
Add something last minute: to make my early completion habit, I sometimes clog the previous submission day with coffee chats forcing myself to complete work before time.
Envy: suppose your colleague completes a task ahead of time, and you should outperform him.

Completing work earlier is a sign of professionalism. No downside.

3 — Embracing loneliness

We are habitually entwined to outsource our problems to social media.

We humans hardly spend time alone in the form:

Meditation
Prayer
Walks

Music takes up most of our day. We are not afraid of solitude because we did something wrong but never explored the realm.

Diversity is not a bad thing.

Marcus Aurelius and Seneca had journaling habits — they’d sit alone and ponder their day’s progress.

You can do that too. Sit alone and think about life. If this is too much for you, start listening to “meditation/concentration music,” as it helps to get the work done.

Don’t be afraid of adversity.

Embrace it. Since social media is here to distract us, it’s eventually filling our hearts with the void. Reflect on your day and pay attention to your progress daily.

4 — Handwriting for cognitive offloading

It’s hard to remember everything — I agree.

We force our brains to forget what is happening, like birthdays and important events. Through Siri and scheduling apps, we are moving into our early dementia phase.

Don’t do that. Instead, start remembering things.

When I first started to use Siri, I relied more on it. Soon, I began to forget my brother’s birth date as it was not integrated into my calendar. I began to feel ashamed.

Instead, maintain a balance between both processes.

Write by hand + using technology.

Keep a calendar for your workspace meeting and write by hand using a to-do list or whiteboard.

Writing down helps me focus on my short/long-term goals and induces thinking, which does not happen when scheduling tasks online. Of course, change is necessary.

Don’t forget to keep your balance.

Pick a pen and write things down. I use a whiteboard for tasks and a diary as more economical. There’s a calmness in ticking off jobs on the whiteboard that isn’t on mobile devices.

(I hope you know.)

Final thoughts:

As Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. President believes:

“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”

Your brain is capable of great things but requires your trust — don’t neglect its potential.

Because it’s a regret that is difficult to rectify.