This week on Prosthetic Gods Nir and J discuss the problem, and opportunity, of “cognitive off-loading,” our tendency to forget knowledge and skills once we have reliable digital tools. Is it possible to educate ourselves and our students to use these tools in ways that enrich and extend their cognitive skills and productivity? Along the way, we discuss Ted Chiang’s short story “The Truth of Fact The Truth of Feeling,” which compares the transition to literacy to the adoption of 24/7 lifelogging.

Gong & Yang 2024. “Google effects on memory: a meta-analytical review of the media effects of intensive Internet search behavior.”  

Nosta 2025. “Cognitive offloading with AI boosts performance but may hinder deeper learning” 

Ted Chiang “The Truth of Fact The Truth of Feeling”

“Emboldened by Trump, A.I. Companies Lobby for Fewer Rules” NYT  

Hosted by James Hughes and Nir Eisikovits