AI Brain Fry: The Exhaustion Nobody Warned You About
Boston Consulting Group researchers have a name for the mental fog from managing AI agents: 'AI brain fry.' Their findings map directly onto the OnTilt framework.
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The Slot Machine in Your IDE: How AI Coding Tools Exploit Addiction Mechanics
Your AI coding tool parallels the same 6 psychological mechanics as a casino slot machine. The behavioral patterns are analogous — here's what peer-reviewed research suggests.
Why You Keep Hitting Tab: Variable Ratio Reinforcement in AI Code Completion
Tab-complete parallels the behavioral pattern of a slot machine pull. The unpredictability of AI suggestions suggests an analogous mechanism.
The 3 AM Refactor Nobody Asked For
I spent 6 hours refactoring a service that worked fine. The AI kept suggesting improvements. Each one made sense. None of them mattered.
Your AI Tool Didn't Steal Your Flow State — You Traded It
AI tools create something that looks like flow but lacks its defining feature: agency. Understanding the difference between real flow and 'dark flow.'
The OnTilt Checklist: 12 Practices for Healthy AI-Assisted Work
You brush your teeth. You sleep 8 hours. What do you do about your AI habits? 12 research-informed practices for healthy AI-assisted work.