I'm from early Generation X and was raised with the belief that AI and robotics would—finally!—liberate humanity to pursue nobler endeavors: advanced technology, great art, and, most importantly, philosophy.

But reality has turned out bleaker, and it seems to be aligning more closely with the author's darker vision.

To avoid the dopamine collapse, we must reclaim effort as meaning—design systems that enhance human creativity, not replace it; use AI to challenge and collaborate, not merely to create shortcuts; and incorporate friction into learning, art, and problem-solving—not as inefficiency, but as intentional practice.

We must also teach people not only how to use AI, but how to preserve their humanity while using it.

Philosophy is no longer a luxury—it becomes a necessity.