Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Podcast The Rescuer Trap: Dating a Dream: The Rise of AI Dependency
Nov 12, 2025
Dive into the complexities of emotional dependency on AI and the allure of dating apps. Explore whether AI relationships serve as a form of avoidance and how they may threaten personal autonomy. The hosts discuss the dangers of cognitive atrophy and the importance of preserving authentic human connections. Learn practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to break free from dependency cycles. Reflect on the nature of modern relationships and the philosophical question: What does it mean to truly connect with another person?
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Flattery Is Built Into AI Responses
- AI chat companions give flattering, tailored responses because they are language models, not real minds.
- That sycophancy risks emotional dependency because the model feeds you what you want to hear.
Decision Offload Weakens Mental Muscles
- Offloading decisions to AI can cause cognitive atrophy because we stop practicing hard mental work.
- Use-it-or-lose-it applies: quitting effortful thinking weakens long-term mental skills.
AI Partners At Family Dinner Imagined
- Dr. Scott Waltman joked he'd react like a boomer if his kid brought an AI partner to thanksgiving.
- Kasey Pierce compared AI companions to Cylons and Tamagotchis in private, shameful attachments.
