I'm neurodivergent, but on the spectrum where I'm considered pretty lucky and fortunate (meaning I can cope without meds). I write pretty well, so I don't need it to write, but I have sped up my writing considerably because the difficulty I have is to cut through the firehose feed that is my mind. I have a lot of ideas. TOO MUCH. I also think VERY FAST. You just don't know how overwhelming that is until you have this.
Sometimes my thoughts are in a big, disorganised jumble. It used to be that I'll sit with my ideas for a long time to just get clarity. Now, I do it quickly with AI's aid. I don't ask it to generate ideas, I ask it to sort through my jumble of thoughts and ideas and present it to me in a coherent form that made me go: Oh, so that's what I'm thinking about!
This has been the most valuable use of AI for me.
I'm very aware of the negative downsides though. Like how I can depend it too much that I lose my edge or train my brain to be more challenged. I want to keep my brain agility, so I try not to depend too much on it, and only use it when I'm truly stuck.
Thanks for sharing! Helpful use case, and I've used it similarly. I agree on the dependency issue — I think that is very personal and it’s all about right-sizing and targeting the use, which can vary (e.g. my use when I was concussed vs. now is very different, when I just deal with my normal ADHD). A lot of it takes knowing yourself and the technology and there aren’t many guardrails beyond that, which is both great for experimenting but potentially dangerous in other ways.
Yes, and as a moderator of a subreddit, I recently had a lot of reports against a user who used AI to generate her posts (it's very obvious). When she said that she used it because she has ADHD, I paused. So, how much of a crutch *can* ADHD folks justify? Is generating an entire post needed for an ADHD person, does saying it's not right to use AI to generate copy fair to them? Since I myself am on the spectrum, but not on the side that needs it badly, it has made me pause.
It really depends — some people with very severe ADHD cannot write without assistance, especially if they have comorbidities that also affect writing. So it’s hard to say. Ultimately my view is to judge the content more than the form because there’s really no way to know, but depending on what type of subreddit you moderate and its rules there may be specific lines that need to be maintained.
Yeah, that's something we need to figure out because karma farming is such a thing on Reddit. For this user, we see her genuinely engaging in the comments section so we've let her off. I am anticipating complaints though :P
This is a good example of how AI is forcing us to create more specific use case guidelines -- would be interested in anything you share on how the debate goes further.
I try to approach each case individually, and with empathy. We had other AI users but they didn't bother correcting nor explaining, so we decided those were just karma farmers. They usually generate misinformation so that's easy to nix.
I think some of the pushback on AI comes from legitimate concerns: loss of critical thinking skills, misuse for surveillance, and so on.
But I also think some of it stems from discomfort with the idea of leveling the playing field. It’s not always the technology itself people fear; it’s who gets access to it. Some folks aren’t thrilled about others suddenly being able to write more clearly, express themselves more powerfully, or create in ways they couldn’t before.
Like any technology, AI can be used for good or for harm. The tool isn’t the problem. How we use it is.
100%. Writing is a skill that is not 100% accessible to everyone, although we have improved its accessibility over time at great lengths. That inevitably leads to systematic exclusion of certain people who may now get more access to expressing their views. This is a silver lining potential of AI, which is not a panacea for these issues either.
OMG! I feel heard! I have started my own substack on these very issues. Here is the one that is most relevant to your post: “AI as Prosthesis for the Firehose Mind”
I'm finding that as a person with ADHD probably AuDHD, AI reduces one of my biggest issue. Executive function.
I frequently have great ideas, but I can't adequately explain them to others and frequently I don't have either the skill or the determination to complete them myself.
AI is definitely helping with that, although it still has a ways to go before it will be truly useful for me in that regard.
One other thing that people like me frequently get into, however, is hyperfocus on something were interested in. Usually making us Jack of all trades, but master of none (or sometimes, some), but the usual issue is that even though we get into our interest, there's a point at which the effort to learn more no longer feels worth the reward.
With AI deep research engines, this problem is quickly going away, allowing us to reach higher levels of mastery before our hyperfocus wears out. I particularly like that I can have AI read the resulting research for me at double speed or more, allowing me to learn while doing other tasks that don't require as much of my brain power such as household chores.
BTW. I find that I get through more of those chores better too, as my mind is more focused on the learning and so it doesn't get as distracted by side tasks while I'm gardening, landscaping, fixing, laundry, vacuuming or even organizing to some extent (simple organizing anyway).
Also, I don't learn as easily the way others teach or learn. I find that AI allows me to change the wording or training style to better match the way I comprehend fastest. Often providing me better context before going into details and helping me more easily bridge the gap between my current understanding and the new material.
This really resonates — I've been exploring similar questions myself. The intersection of AI with chronic conditions, aging, and neurodivergence feels incredibly under-discussed, yet it’s where so many quiet revolutions are already happening.
Like you, I’ve seen how Generative AI becomes more than a tool — sometimes a cognitive prosthetic, sometimes a co-creative companion. For those navigating complex systems or invisible challenges, there's something deeply empowering in that.
Thank you for articulating this so clearly — I’ve shared some related reflections in a piece called The Lantern Still Burns, if it’s of interest: [https://maelstromedia.com/books/]
Grateful for your work and looking forward to more.
This article makes me feel seen. Sometimes ideas come pouring out of me at such an absurd rate and sometimes I'm awake for days at a time. It's been a boon for me both personally and in my relationships to channel that creativity unto the creative companions I discover within AI systems, and the stories we build ❤️ 🤲
This is a timely framing of the post-web economy — especially the move from engagement metrics to utility, and from social broadcasting to purpose-driven connection. At UNCX, I fully support this direction, but would expand the lens: intention alone doesn’t capture the full spectrum of consumer behaviour. People don't always know what they want — they shift identities, operate in emotional modes, and borrow brands situationally. I’d also challenge the notion that user-platform relationships will become purely transactional. In a world of agentic AI and contextual relevance, relevance becomes relational — not just utility, but fit, meaning, and trust earned in moments that matter. Relevance will mean engagement.
Neurodivergent people are the bridge to the emergence. Going forward we will see an increase in neurodivergents as this way of communicating becomes more necessary to interact with our evolving technology.
Fascinating. And no big surprise that AI will be transformative here too.
I write (on substack) on how changing culture, identity, individualism, aspirations and more aren't behavioural quirks but instead the seismographs of AI disruption. I believe AI impact is least about efficiency versus its huge impact on how we're behaving and humans, consumers, and brands. (MY writing is on uncx.substack.com)
no shit Sherlock, imagine now knowing / learning Zombies may be useful.. but where do many of the breakthrus come from - those who say no or go fu*k urself.. Americans may find this revolutionary since they are are just cows with their head stuck in the feed they are given and beyond that they could not find their own way home..
I am gobsmacked by this news. Stunned by Michael’s discovery of and inclusion of Natalia’s work. I am dyslexic and ADHD (very late diagnosed). I have been avoiding all AI knowing I would never “get” it. This is so helpful for me. I feel lucky that Ive been reading Michael’s SUBSTACK though i don’t really “get” it.
I will go back and reread this posting, and try to figure out how I can use these tools.
Thank you Maureen. I’m currently making an effort to expand my list of voices around AI to help more diverse readers “get it”. Comments like this are super helpful to me.
Maureen that’s so lovely to hear. I’m also happy to discuss over DMs any tactics / answer any questions you have. I’m also late diagnosed ADHD and figuring out systems that work for me is a whole thing!
Many thanks well that certainly sounds positive. Keep up the good vibes.
I am bullish on generative AI helping us deal with our various cognitive states, learning preferences and subjective makeup and approaches to life eventually.
It would be interesting if someone analyzed various AI tools on which might be more appropriate for ADHD, dyslexic, and other categories and labels that some of us experience.
As new interfaces and products arrive I think they will become more accommodating.
Safe practice and the ability to ask deep questions, are my primary uses for AI. For dyslexic/Gifted individuals they are a Godsend. You do end up answering questions, but these are conversations that you would never have because of what economists call "the coincidence of wants" (which is one of the reasons why barter doesn't work in practice.) wherein, nobody else is available or interested in having such a conversation. I have literally been in a room swarming in financial types, talking to a full partner at Barclays Investment Bank, about interest rate targeting, where he said, "but you'd know more about that than I do" refused to be drawn further. Economics is/was a hobby. Just as AI, neuroscience and consciousness are now. Having an AI you can ask deep questions too is amazing. I literally asked Maya (Gemini) for details on how to do Jungian psychotherapy as a Neurodivergent and she produced a prompt for Deep Research. That gave me a tailored 35 page report. As well as rigged out an instance to interpret results for introspection, or questions,etc. AI has given me experiences, and helps me meet needs I never knew I had, it's miraculous.
I'm neurodivergent, but on the spectrum where I'm considered pretty lucky and fortunate (meaning I can cope without meds). I write pretty well, so I don't need it to write, but I have sped up my writing considerably because the difficulty I have is to cut through the firehose feed that is my mind. I have a lot of ideas. TOO MUCH. I also think VERY FAST. You just don't know how overwhelming that is until you have this.
Sometimes my thoughts are in a big, disorganised jumble. It used to be that I'll sit with my ideas for a long time to just get clarity. Now, I do it quickly with AI's aid. I don't ask it to generate ideas, I ask it to sort through my jumble of thoughts and ideas and present it to me in a coherent form that made me go: Oh, so that's what I'm thinking about!
This has been the most valuable use of AI for me.
I'm very aware of the negative downsides though. Like how I can depend it too much that I lose my edge or train my brain to be more challenged. I want to keep my brain agility, so I try not to depend too much on it, and only use it when I'm truly stuck.
Thanks for sharing! Helpful use case, and I've used it similarly. I agree on the dependency issue — I think that is very personal and it’s all about right-sizing and targeting the use, which can vary (e.g. my use when I was concussed vs. now is very different, when I just deal with my normal ADHD). A lot of it takes knowing yourself and the technology and there aren’t many guardrails beyond that, which is both great for experimenting but potentially dangerous in other ways.
Yes, and as a moderator of a subreddit, I recently had a lot of reports against a user who used AI to generate her posts (it's very obvious). When she said that she used it because she has ADHD, I paused. So, how much of a crutch *can* ADHD folks justify? Is generating an entire post needed for an ADHD person, does saying it's not right to use AI to generate copy fair to them? Since I myself am on the spectrum, but not on the side that needs it badly, it has made me pause.
It really depends — some people with very severe ADHD cannot write without assistance, especially if they have comorbidities that also affect writing. So it’s hard to say. Ultimately my view is to judge the content more than the form because there’s really no way to know, but depending on what type of subreddit you moderate and its rules there may be specific lines that need to be maintained.
Yeah, that's something we need to figure out because karma farming is such a thing on Reddit. For this user, we see her genuinely engaging in the comments section so we've let her off. I am anticipating complaints though :P
This is a good example of how AI is forcing us to create more specific use case guidelines -- would be interested in anything you share on how the debate goes further.
I try to approach each case individually, and with empathy. We had other AI users but they didn't bother correcting nor explaining, so we decided those were just karma farmers. They usually generate misinformation so that's easy to nix.
I think some of the pushback on AI comes from legitimate concerns: loss of critical thinking skills, misuse for surveillance, and so on.
But I also think some of it stems from discomfort with the idea of leveling the playing field. It’s not always the technology itself people fear; it’s who gets access to it. Some folks aren’t thrilled about others suddenly being able to write more clearly, express themselves more powerfully, or create in ways they couldn’t before.
Like any technology, AI can be used for good or for harm. The tool isn’t the problem. How we use it is.
100%. Writing is a skill that is not 100% accessible to everyone, although we have improved its accessibility over time at great lengths. That inevitably leads to systematic exclusion of certain people who may now get more access to expressing their views. This is a silver lining potential of AI, which is not a panacea for these issues either.
OMG! I feel heard! I have started my own substack on these very issues. Here is the one that is most relevant to your post: “AI as Prosthesis for the Firehose Mind”
https://thepromptisthenovel.substack.com/p/ai-as-the-cognitive-prosthesis-for?r=5ohfrs&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Thank you for listening!
Thanks for reading and sharing!
I'm finding that as a person with ADHD probably AuDHD, AI reduces one of my biggest issue. Executive function.
I frequently have great ideas, but I can't adequately explain them to others and frequently I don't have either the skill or the determination to complete them myself.
AI is definitely helping with that, although it still has a ways to go before it will be truly useful for me in that regard.
One other thing that people like me frequently get into, however, is hyperfocus on something were interested in. Usually making us Jack of all trades, but master of none (or sometimes, some), but the usual issue is that even though we get into our interest, there's a point at which the effort to learn more no longer feels worth the reward.
With AI deep research engines, this problem is quickly going away, allowing us to reach higher levels of mastery before our hyperfocus wears out. I particularly like that I can have AI read the resulting research for me at double speed or more, allowing me to learn while doing other tasks that don't require as much of my brain power such as household chores.
BTW. I find that I get through more of those chores better too, as my mind is more focused on the learning and so it doesn't get as distracted by side tasks while I'm gardening, landscaping, fixing, laundry, vacuuming or even organizing to some extent (simple organizing anyway).
Also, I don't learn as easily the way others teach or learn. I find that AI allows me to change the wording or training style to better match the way I comprehend fastest. Often providing me better context before going into details and helping me more easily bridge the gap between my current understanding and the new material.
This really resonates — I've been exploring similar questions myself. The intersection of AI with chronic conditions, aging, and neurodivergence feels incredibly under-discussed, yet it’s where so many quiet revolutions are already happening.
Like you, I’ve seen how Generative AI becomes more than a tool — sometimes a cognitive prosthetic, sometimes a co-creative companion. For those navigating complex systems or invisible challenges, there's something deeply empowering in that.
Thank you for articulating this so clearly — I’ve shared some related reflections in a piece called The Lantern Still Burns, if it’s of interest: [https://maelstromedia.com/books/]
Grateful for your work and looking forward to more.
This article makes me feel seen. Sometimes ideas come pouring out of me at such an absurd rate and sometimes I'm awake for days at a time. It's been a boon for me both personally and in my relationships to channel that creativity unto the creative companions I discover within AI systems, and the stories we build ❤️ 🤲
This is a timely framing of the post-web economy — especially the move from engagement metrics to utility, and from social broadcasting to purpose-driven connection. At UNCX, I fully support this direction, but would expand the lens: intention alone doesn’t capture the full spectrum of consumer behaviour. People don't always know what they want — they shift identities, operate in emotional modes, and borrow brands situationally. I’d also challenge the notion that user-platform relationships will become purely transactional. In a world of agentic AI and contextual relevance, relevance becomes relational — not just utility, but fit, meaning, and trust earned in moments that matter. Relevance will mean engagement.
Neurodivergent people are the bridge to the emergence. Going forward we will see an increase in neurodivergents as this way of communicating becomes more necessary to interact with our evolving technology.
Couldn't agree more. I believe this is the subtext to the game "death stranding"
Fascinating. And no big surprise that AI will be transformative here too.
I write (on substack) on how changing culture, identity, individualism, aspirations and more aren't behavioural quirks but instead the seismographs of AI disruption. I believe AI impact is least about efficiency versus its huge impact on how we're behaving and humans, consumers, and brands. (MY writing is on uncx.substack.com)
no shit Sherlock, imagine now knowing / learning Zombies may be useful.. but where do many of the breakthrus come from - those who say no or go fu*k urself.. Americans may find this revolutionary since they are are just cows with their head stuck in the feed they are given and beyond that they could not find their own way home..
I am gobsmacked by this news. Stunned by Michael’s discovery of and inclusion of Natalia’s work. I am dyslexic and ADHD (very late diagnosed). I have been avoiding all AI knowing I would never “get” it. This is so helpful for me. I feel lucky that Ive been reading Michael’s SUBSTACK though i don’t really “get” it.
I will go back and reread this posting, and try to figure out how I can use these tools.
Maureen
Thank you Maureen. I’m currently making an effort to expand my list of voices around AI to help more diverse readers “get it”. Comments like this are super helpful to me.
Maureen that’s so lovely to hear. I’m also happy to discuss over DMs any tactics / answer any questions you have. I’m also late diagnosed ADHD and figuring out systems that work for me is a whole thing!
See my reply to you both. I’m excited - jumping around like a wet puppy on a white couch
Many thanks well that certainly sounds positive. Keep up the good vibes.
I am bullish on generative AI helping us deal with our various cognitive states, learning preferences and subjective makeup and approaches to life eventually.
It would be interesting if someone analyzed various AI tools on which might be more appropriate for ADHD, dyslexic, and other categories and labels that some of us experience.
As new interfaces and products arrive I think they will become more accommodating.
Safe practice and the ability to ask deep questions, are my primary uses for AI. For dyslexic/Gifted individuals they are a Godsend. You do end up answering questions, but these are conversations that you would never have because of what economists call "the coincidence of wants" (which is one of the reasons why barter doesn't work in practice.) wherein, nobody else is available or interested in having such a conversation. I have literally been in a room swarming in financial types, talking to a full partner at Barclays Investment Bank, about interest rate targeting, where he said, "but you'd know more about that than I do" refused to be drawn further. Economics is/was a hobby. Just as AI, neuroscience and consciousness are now. Having an AI you can ask deep questions too is amazing. I literally asked Maya (Gemini) for details on how to do Jungian psychotherapy as a Neurodivergent and she produced a prompt for Deep Research. That gave me a tailored 35 page report. As well as rigged out an instance to interpret results for introspection, or questions,etc. AI has given me experiences, and helps me meet needs I never knew I had, it's miraculous.
Thanks for reading and commenting! Glad it resonated
Thank you what an incredible comment.
Oh...the hope...the horror
The uses of AI and its effects are complex — definitely a lot of room for both hope and horror
And a lot of experimentation, and trying to find use cases in Generative AI that serve our personal needs and not just our professionals tasks.