Wow this explains so much. I’ve been using AI to help me stay organized and the best part is not having to search back through the chat but just telling it what I’ve finished and asking it to update my list and then give me a list of what’s left then I get to choose what I do next. It really is relieving the cognitive burden of holding the structure and getting the tasks done. I’m getting more done quicker and with less exhaustion.
Thank you for sharing! This is a pretty good example of offloading the executive function work to an external system. You're not spending cognitive resources on remembering, organizing, or sequencing…just executing.
Thank you Hodman for laying out this blue print so clearly and openly. I am really interested to see how you are going to address all of these, radially dopamine depletion which is something I suffer from a lot! 🙏
Thank you for sharing, Sam! The dopamine depletion problem is fascinating to work on because it forces you to think about reinforcement timing at a granular level. Looking forward to sharing how the design evolves as I work through it.
Thanks for reading. Navigation is one angle, but what I'm finding is that relying on the brain to navigate itself misses the point. The system has to do the navigating for you, or the cognitive load of learning to navigate becomes another task that drains the same limited resources.
The brain needs constant neurochemical feedback to sustain effort. One big reward at the end doesn't work. It has to be distributed throughout the process.
Thank you! I have to treat interruptions as inevitable instead of preventable, which changes the entire design philosophy. The system has to automatically preserve and restore context, not rely on the user to rebuild it.
Love how you’re giving us the beginning the scenes look, and breaking down the core scientific principles behind what could work for such folks! Thank you.
Understanding these “invisible forces” changes the conversation from blame to design: the goal becomes creating systems, scaffolds, and workflows that work with the brain, not against it.
This is fascinating. I’ve been suspicious that I might meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and very interesting to see how these forces do actually play a role in my life.
Wow this explains so much. I’ve been using AI to help me stay organized and the best part is not having to search back through the chat but just telling it what I’ve finished and asking it to update my list and then give me a list of what’s left then I get to choose what I do next. It really is relieving the cognitive burden of holding the structure and getting the tasks done. I’m getting more done quicker and with less exhaustion.
Thank you for sharing! This is a pretty good example of offloading the executive function work to an external system. You're not spending cognitive resources on remembering, organizing, or sequencing…just executing.
Thank you Hodman for laying out this blue print so clearly and openly. I am really interested to see how you are going to address all of these, radially dopamine depletion which is something I suffer from a lot! 🙏
Thank you for sharing, Sam! The dopamine depletion problem is fascinating to work on because it forces you to think about reinforcement timing at a granular level. Looking forward to sharing how the design evolves as I work through it.
Learning how to navigate the ADHD brain is key for success.
Thanks for reading. Navigation is one angle, but what I'm finding is that relying on the brain to navigate itself misses the point. The system has to do the navigating for you, or the cognitive load of learning to navigate becomes another task that drains the same limited resources.
Fascinating work, Hodman! Love this!
So happy you think so! Thanks for following along!
This -" throughout the task: small wins, visible progress, and immediate feedback " 👏
The brain needs constant neurochemical feedback to sustain effort. One big reward at the end doesn't work. It has to be distributed throughout the process.
I like the idea of designing for interruptions as normal, with short “re-entry” notes baked into every work session.
Thank you! I have to treat interruptions as inevitable instead of preventable, which changes the entire design philosophy. The system has to automatically preserve and restore context, not rely on the user to rebuild it.
Love how you’re giving us the beginning the scenes look, and breaking down the core scientific principles behind what could work for such folks! Thank you.
Thank you! The cognitive science has to come first. Features follow from understanding the actual constraints the brain is operating under.
Understanding these “invisible forces” changes the conversation from blame to design: the goal becomes creating systems, scaffolds, and workflows that work with the brain, not against it.
Once you see these as structural forces rather than personal failures, the problem becomes solvable. Or at least I’m hoping!
This is fascinating. I’ve been suspicious that I might meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and very interesting to see how these forces do actually play a role in my life.