You’re Not Addicted to AI. You’re Addicted to Avoiding Yourself.

“What you call ‘productivity’ might just be self-erasure with a to-do list.”
—Still sound like a time-saver?

We like to say we’re addicted to our phones. To screens. To “the algorithm.” But that’s not quite it, is it?

Because when you scroll past ten hours of strangers’ thoughts, reheated memes, and AI-written blog posts about productivity hacks—what are you actually chasing?

It’s not dopamine. Not really. It’s distance. From yourself.

AI Isn’t the Enemy. It’s the Distraction.

Let’s be clear: AI isn’t inherently evil. It doesn’t want your attention. It doesn’t need your validation. It just knows—mathematically—how likely you are to stay engaged. And it’s brutally efficient at serving up whatever keeps you from closing the tab.

That includes generative AI tools too. They aren’t addictive because they’re helpful. They’re addictive because they’re frictionless. You open ChatGPT “just to plan your week,” and three hours later, you’ve drafted emails, a resignation letter, and a poem about your third-grade math teacher. It’s productivity theater—without the productivity.

It’s Not the Tech. It’s the Escape.

We don’t check in with AI to learn something new. We check in because facing our own blank page feels worse.

We don’t keep tweaking the prompt because we want a better answer. We do it because it lets us delay making a decision.

We don’t “use” AI. We hide behind it. And sometimes, we’re not even subtle about it.

The Harder Prompt

Ask yourself this: When was the last time you used an AI tool and actually felt better afterward?

Not just accomplished. Not just entertained. Not numb. Not distracted.
Better.

Most of us can’t answer that. Not because the tools don’t work—but because we’re outsourcing self-awareness. We’re borrowing thoughts instead of facing our own.

The Reframe

This isn’t about deleting your apps or swearing off large language models. You don’t need another digital detox, and you’re not morally superior for handwriting your to-do list.

But you might need to ask: What am I not dealing with right now that this tool helps me ignore?

And if you’re brave enough, write the answer without help.