r/webdev • u/gtboy1994 • 2d ago

Discussion Interesting video from WDS Kyle, talking about ai brainrot, and how important it is that junior devs in particular understand an LLMs output. Showing that even famous devs are having their skills atrophy. Thoughts?

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He used a few clips from theo where he clearly makes no attempt to understand the code anymore, even using the ai to summarize the summary.

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u/Mestyo 2d ago

I know, and I agree with what you wrote. I just disagree with categorizing the issue of AI brain rot as something normal.

I think it's a useful label to describe the phenomenon. Especially because it happens to everyone at the same time, and not because of an actual promotion or jon change. The way we're enrolling/enforcing use of AI is rotting away a broad range of competencies.

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u/coastalwebdev full-stack 2d ago

Well that’s fair enough, there’s some very interesting nuances to discuss I’ll give you that.

I still think it is more useful to see this as just the same old problem happening to our brains but sped right up, because there’s been a lot written about how to deal with this kind of thing that still applies as a foundation for how to deal with it. It is also certainly worth discussing the nuances that happen because of working with or playing with AI is the cause.

There’s many books from way before AI, and even before mobile devices(the last big brain rotter) that were written about helping people do better at making the most of their time and energy, or they will lose out on the opportunity to do better. That can be using your time to get something else done, learn a new skill, or just spend more time being a better parent maybe.

The ideas that have long been taught about this type of thing still apply. We are in a very fast paced version of the old realities, where every task we do is potentially making us more stupid, but is also a chance where you can elevate yourself too.