Working Hard with Grace Beverley How to think clearly in the age of AI, anti-intellectualism, and doomscrolling with Shae Omonijo
121 snips
Feb 9, 2026 Shae Omonijo, a Harvard PhD candidate and intellectual historian, explores how ideas form and how AI shapes thought. She discusses AI weakening critical skills, the rise of anti-intellectualism, practical ways to protect attention, and how to use AI to amplify—not replace—creativity. Short, actionable strategies for reading, arguing, privacy, and future-proofing careers are highlighted.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Don't Let AI Replace Your Thinking
- Shae Omonijo warns that treating AI as a substitute for your brain degrades your critical thinking and ability to verify outputs.
- She argues you need a strong foundational perspective before using AI to amplify your work.
Develop A Distinctive Intellectual Voice
- Figure out your unique tone, angle, and phrases so AI amplifies rather than dilutes your voice.
- Build and protect distinctive ways of thinking before relying on AI for output.
Anti-Intellectualism Undermines Understanding
- Anti-intellectualism is disdain for expertise and deep thought that rejects complexity when it doesn't immediately make sense.
- Shae links it to mystification of institutions and urges questioning with a desire to understand.
