I started arguing with AI and it changed the overall output it produces - thanks to your evil twin & busy-annoyed reader prompt. Of course, I'm coping these ones too. You've spoiled me, Mia.
This framing of AI as permanent scaffolding is the clearest diagnosis I’ve seen of why so much writing now feels hollow.
The key insight isn’t “AI makes us lazy”, it’s that tools designed to never withdraw support actively suppress cognitive load and without load, there’s no growth. Turning the model into an adversarial system that enforces resistance feels like the first genuinely pro thinking AI workflow I’ve seen.
This is how you use AI without surrendering authorship.
THIS is the way writers (in any genre) can save time by using AI. Think through your arguments with it until you know exactly what you're going to write. Then, the writing part becomes quicker and easier.
I think I'd be fine if AI was turned off. Some things would take a little longer to do, especially researching things. But is wouldn't stop anything I do. I'd just end up working longer hours.
Brilliant framework! This approach respects the brain’s need for challenge while still leveraging AI, turning tools into true partners rather than crutches. High-resistance thinking is exactly what keeps strategic skills sharp.
Great piece. It's crazy to me that AI defaults to doing the work for you, even if you use relatively neutral terms in your prompt like telling it you're looking for "help brainstorming" (it'll just start coming up with all the ideas for you, rather than prompting YOU for your thoughts, unless you explicitly instruct it to do so).
YES same!! I hate it when it does that. Like, "help me brainstorm" and then gives me the whole strategy + copy + almost comes to my house to do it for me 🤣🤣
This is intense!! Do you console yourself after surviving the writing process with lots of treats?! Or is there a final prompt you use where your AI gives you lots of personal affirmation about how wonderful and clever you are?! I feel a little too nervous to use this genius...
It only takes 10 minutes to run, and I promise it will transform your approach! ❤️ I always test my workflows with the most boring, bland, generic topics first. if they can help with those, you know they're ready for more complex subjects.
Mia! This is an excellent post. Thanks so much. A really great reminder and workflow for how those of us that use AI tools regularly can do so in a way that enables us to keep flexing our mental muscles rather than allowing them to atrophy with lack of use.
A great piece to understand why we need to stop using AI as a crutch! Configuring AI to ask you uncomfortable questions help prevent the accumulation of average content pieces in online community spaces. I loved the introduction w.r.t Vygotsky & scaffolding etymology, and the gym analogy to drive home the benefit of stress-testing your prompts, ideas or contents.
Oooh this is EVIL. 😈😃 And genius at the same time. Well done Mia!
Haha genius is a BIG word! But I agree with "evil" 🤣🤣
Wait so you're telling me the AI is supposed to argue with me and NOT write my homework? Even so, I'm stealing this prompt!
Yep, I'm sorry haha! 😅
I hope it helps! ☺️
Love the connection to Vygotsky & scaffolding - astute observation!
Thanks Christine! Loved the finding as well, did a lot of research to find a good example 🤗
I started arguing with AI and it changed the overall output it produces - thanks to your evil twin & busy-annoyed reader prompt. Of course, I'm coping these ones too. You've spoiled me, Mia.
It's my pleasure Goodnex! ❤️❤️ I LOVE the evil twin one haha. I'm sure the series of prompts in this workflow will help you a TON.
“You will have a bulletproof thesis, a verified chain of logic and MOST IMPORTANTLY, a distinct POV that you earned.”
Fantastic stuff :)
🙏🙏🙏
This framing of AI as permanent scaffolding is the clearest diagnosis I’ve seen of why so much writing now feels hollow.
The key insight isn’t “AI makes us lazy”, it’s that tools designed to never withdraw support actively suppress cognitive load and without load, there’s no growth. Turning the model into an adversarial system that enforces resistance feels like the first genuinely pro thinking AI workflow I’ve seen.
This is how you use AI without surrendering authorship.
"there’s no growth" - yes!! exactly!
Thank you so much for reading, I'm happy it resonated :)
Thanks for writing it that framing clarified something I’ve been wrestling with for a while.
THIS is the way writers (in any genre) can save time by using AI. Think through your arguments with it until you know exactly what you're going to write. Then, the writing part becomes quicker and easier.
I believe so too Mariam! Thanks so much for reading! ❤️
I think I'd be fine if AI was turned off. Some things would take a little longer to do, especially researching things. But is wouldn't stop anything I do. I'd just end up working longer hours.
I think (and sure hope so) that we'd all be "fine"
BUT AI has done so many amazing things in a lot of fields. Do we want to turn it off? Eh, debatable. I think it has this place in the world ❤️
I'm not advocating turning AI off. For me AI is a tool, which is useful, but it's not a critical part of running my business (or leisure time).
Brilliant framework! This approach respects the brain’s need for challenge while still leveraging AI, turning tools into true partners rather than crutches. High-resistance thinking is exactly what keeps strategic skills sharp.
Thanks Suhrab!
Great piece. It's crazy to me that AI defaults to doing the work for you, even if you use relatively neutral terms in your prompt like telling it you're looking for "help brainstorming" (it'll just start coming up with all the ideas for you, rather than prompting YOU for your thoughts, unless you explicitly instruct it to do so).
YES same!! I hate it when it does that. Like, "help me brainstorm" and then gives me the whole strategy + copy + almost comes to my house to do it for me 🤣🤣
Most people want AI to make things easier - the real power move is using it to make your thinking HARDER. Love this framework, Mia!
Thank you so much Tiff! ❤️
This is intense!! Do you console yourself after surviving the writing process with lots of treats?! Or is there a final prompt you use where your AI gives you lots of personal affirmation about how wonderful and clever you are?! I feel a little too nervous to use this genius...
It only takes 10 minutes to run, and I promise it will transform your approach! ❤️ I always test my workflows with the most boring, bland, generic topics first. if they can help with those, you know they're ready for more complex subjects.
Mia! This is an excellent post. Thanks so much. A really great reminder and workflow for how those of us that use AI tools regularly can do so in a way that enables us to keep flexing our mental muscles rather than allowing them to atrophy with lack of use.
Thank you so much Sam! ❤️ And that's true, we need that reminder once in a while.
A great piece to understand why we need to stop using AI as a crutch! Configuring AI to ask you uncomfortable questions help prevent the accumulation of average content pieces in online community spaces. I loved the introduction w.r.t Vygotsky & scaffolding etymology, and the gym analogy to drive home the benefit of stress-testing your prompts, ideas or contents.
Thank you Raghav! It was a fun one to write but also very eye-opening 👀
Definitely want to try these! ChatGPT needs to be slapped, it's constantly kissing my ass. 😂
I'd tell you to ditch it for another LLM but... I'd rather see it being slapped lol 😂😂
hahaha! I started using Claude recently and yesterday it surprised me when it said, “hey STOP. You’re doing it again. FOCUS.”
I was like WAIT WHO ARE YOU?
Chatty is just like “you’re brilliant!” and just goes with anything 🙄
Yeah it's FAMOUS for that, I hate itttt
I really enjoy the challenges you bring to us Mia! Will try them all!
Aww thank you Karo! ❤️