FLAME with Brad Hook
The Exocortex: How AI Is Changing the Way We Think
AI helps us think faster, create more and solve harder problems — and alongside the gains, cognitive fatigue is quietly rising. A short solo episode on a useful reframe: AI as an exocortex.
If AI isn't just a tool but an extension of our thinking — an exocortex — then the question changes. It's no longer 'how much can I do with this?' but 'how do I use it without overwhelming the brain it's meant to support?' Brad looks at the hidden cost of always-on AI interaction, why juggling multiple AI tools multiplies cognitive load, and the emerging pattern he calls 'AI brain fry'.
The goal isn't to use AI less. It's to use it wisely — with intention, boundaries and recovery built in. Nine minutes, directly applicable the same day.
In this episode
- AI as an exocortex — an extension of your thinking
- Why cognitive strain is becoming a leading driver of burnout
- The hidden load of always-on AI interaction
- How multiple AI tools multiply cognitive load
- Practical ways to work with AI more intentionally
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