transformer-free tuesdays and thursdays


context


llms have made me more productive than ever, i've used transformer based tools for everything from applying to yc, to updating this very website


recently however, i feel i have become over-dependent on llms, case in point - after a particularly intense claude code session, i took a break only to realize that my glasses were nowhere to be found


no word of a lie, i went "claude, have you seen my glasses?" in my head


i have no stats to back this up, but i also feel stupider


(it also doesn't help that i'm not particularly smart to begin with)

the plan


is pretty straightforward. i'm going to stop myself from being able to use any transformer-based tools on tuesdays and thursdays


q. what rigorous scientific methodology and careful analysis of cognitive load theory did i employ to determine that these specific 2 days would be the most optimal schedule to minimize intellectual atrophy while maximizing information retention and neural plasticity?


ans. mostly alliteration

1. disabling claude code -


# Add this to ~/.zshrc
claude() {
    DOM=$(date +%u)
    if [ $DOM -eq 2 ] || [ $DOM -eq 4 ]; then
        if [ "$1" != "--please" ]; then
            echo "Allen, you can't use claude code today lol, write the code yourself"
            echo "But if you really need it, use: claude --please"
            return 1
        else
            echo "Fine Allen, you said please. Using claude today..."
        fi
    fi
    
    # Call the actual claude command
    command claude
}

2. browser search -


for google search, i created a custom search engine on zen browser that adds &udm=14 to disable ai overviews. this forces google to show regular search results without gemini


i'm fairly certain that firefox and chrome also support this


Custom search engine configuration to disable Google AI overviews using udm=14 parameter

3. blocking mobile apps -


for mobile apps, i just used the stayfree app. not the nicest to look at, but it works


Mobile app blocking configuration showing Claude and other apps blocked on Tuesdays and Thursdays

i'm not an ai doomer, i genuinely think that these tools are super useful and you should use them if you do not feel cognitively impaired by them


i have no doubt these measures will slow me down significantly, but i'm hoping it will stop my brain from turning into mush by the time i'm 30