Josh Brake
@joshbrake.com
I write about technology, education, and human flourishing all through the lens of a prototyping mindset. | Husband, Dad, Engineering Prof. at Harvey Mudd, Coffee roaster, Pizzaiolo
Substack → joshbrake.substack.com
Website → joshbrake.com
Substack → joshbrake.substack.com
Website → joshbrake.com
Generative AI offers a set of potential benefits for learning. But like any technology, those benefits are inextricably tied to a set of drawbacks.
What might Frog and Toad’s battle with cookies teach us about engaging generative AI in the classroom?
blog.joshbrake.com/joshbrake/th...
What might Frog and Toad’s battle with cookies teach us about engaging generative AI in the classroom?
blog.joshbrake.com/joshbrake/th...
The Cookie Box Principle
Generative AI and the temptation to overestimate our willpower
blog.joshbrake.com
August 5, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Generative AI offers a set of potential benefits for learning. But like any technology, those benefits are inextricably tied to a set of drawbacks.
What might Frog and Toad’s battle with cookies teach us about engaging generative AI in the classroom?
blog.joshbrake.com/joshbrake/th...
What might Frog and Toad’s battle with cookies teach us about engaging generative AI in the classroom?
blog.joshbrake.com/joshbrake/th...
The latest from @timothyburke.bsky.social is worth a read for all educators thinking critically about genAI and what it means for higher education.
Academia: The Questions Are Big! It's the Curricula That Got Small.
Thursday's Child Has Far to Go, But He At Least Read T.J. Kalaitzidis
open.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
The latest from @timothyburke.bsky.social is worth a read for all educators thinking critically about genAI and what it means for higher education.
It’s one thing to experiment. It’s quite another to tinker.
We shouldn’t be tinkering with AI in the classroom this fall. Either do the work to articulate the question you’re trying to answer and the specific ways you hope the AI tools will fix it, or don’t use it at all.
We shouldn’t be tinkering with AI in the classroom this fall. Either do the work to articulate the question you’re trying to answer and the specific ways you hope the AI tools will fix it, or don’t use it at all.
Don't Tinker With AI in the Classroom
It's fine to play around by yourself, but if you choose to engage genAI with your students, make sure to think it all the way through
open.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:44 AM
It’s one thing to experiment. It’s quite another to tinker.
We shouldn’t be tinkering with AI in the classroom this fall. Either do the work to articulate the question you’re trying to answer and the specific ways you hope the AI tools will fix it, or don’t use it at all.
We shouldn’t be tinkering with AI in the classroom this fall. Either do the work to articulate the question you’re trying to answer and the specific ways you hope the AI tools will fix it, or don’t use it at all.
Yes, personalized lesson plans and resources are helpful for enhancing learning. But what’s much more impactful is the personal attention of a teacher. Attention that focuses not just on academic and intellectual development, but on the whole of what it means to be a flourishing human being.
March 31, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Yes, personalized lesson plans and resources are helpful for enhancing learning. But what’s much more impactful is the personal attention of a teacher. Attention that focuses not just on academic and intellectual development, but on the whole of what it means to be a flourishing human being.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery mediocrity can pay to genius.” - Oscar Wilde
Says almost all you need to know about the AI x Studio Ghibli discourse of late. First Johansson, now Ghibli, what next?
Says almost all you need to know about the AI x Studio Ghibli discourse of late. First Johansson, now Ghibli, what next?
March 30, 2025 at 1:48 AM
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery mediocrity can pay to genius.” - Oscar Wilde
Says almost all you need to know about the AI x Studio Ghibli discourse of late. First Johansson, now Ghibli, what next?
Says almost all you need to know about the AI x Studio Ghibli discourse of late. First Johansson, now Ghibli, what next?
One of the best features of the Internet is the hyperlink. It makes the act of citing one’s sources seamless and helps point the reader to the origin of one’s thoughts. It is a technology that is aligned with a culture of attribution.
March 29, 2025 at 9:30 PM
One of the best features of the Internet is the hyperlink. It makes the act of citing one’s sources seamless and helps point the reader to the origin of one’s thoughts. It is a technology that is aligned with a culture of attribution.
Reposted by Josh Brake
"What does it mean to be human?
Do humans possess intrinsic moral worth irrespective of any economic value?
What does it mean for us to be embodied creatures?
How ought we treat our fellow humans?
What does it mean to flourish?"
- @joshbrake.com
open.substack.com/pub/joshbrak...
Do humans possess intrinsic moral worth irrespective of any economic value?
What does it mean for us to be embodied creatures?
How ought we treat our fellow humans?
What does it mean to flourish?"
- @joshbrake.com
open.substack.com/pub/joshbrak...
Mens Sine Manus
Why AGI can't deliver on its promises
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"What does it mean to be human?
Do humans possess intrinsic moral worth irrespective of any economic value?
What does it mean for us to be embodied creatures?
How ought we treat our fellow humans?
What does it mean to flourish?"
- @joshbrake.com
open.substack.com/pub/joshbrak...
Do humans possess intrinsic moral worth irrespective of any economic value?
What does it mean for us to be embodied creatures?
How ought we treat our fellow humans?
What does it mean to flourish?"
- @joshbrake.com
open.substack.com/pub/joshbrak...
My biggest hope for AI in education is that it increases friction.
Yes, we need to eliminate parasitic friction but friction is a fundamental component of learning. Our discussion (like so many around AI) is suffering from poorly chosen words.
Yes, we need to eliminate parasitic friction but friction is a fundamental component of learning. Our discussion (like so many around AI) is suffering from poorly chosen words.
March 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
My biggest hope for AI in education is that it increases friction.
Yes, we need to eliminate parasitic friction but friction is a fundamental component of learning. Our discussion (like so many around AI) is suffering from poorly chosen words.
Yes, we need to eliminate parasitic friction but friction is a fundamental component of learning. Our discussion (like so many around AI) is suffering from poorly chosen words.
Trying to nail down an exact definition of AGI is a fools errand. The more important conversation needs to be focused on when, how, and why we decide to seed our agency to these systems.
March 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Trying to nail down an exact definition of AGI is a fools errand. The more important conversation needs to be focused on when, how, and why we decide to seed our agency to these systems.
In much of our conversation around AI's impact on education we're mixing up education and schooling. This week I turn again to Jacques Ellul and ask what his conception of "technique" might offer us as a lens through which to understand AI and its influence on us.
Technique's Deception
Pursue education, not schooling
joshbrake.substack.com
March 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
In much of our conversation around AI's impact on education we're mixing up education and schooling. This week I turn again to Jacques Ellul and ask what his conception of "technique" might offer us as a lens through which to understand AI and its influence on us.
Reposted by Josh Brake
"There is no salvation to be found in efficiency."
Oh boy, I needed to read this sentence waking up this morning. Stop what you're doing and go read @joshbrake.com:
joshbrake.substack.com/p/techniques...
Oh boy, I needed to read this sentence waking up this morning. Stop what you're doing and go read @joshbrake.com:
joshbrake.substack.com/p/techniques...
March 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
"There is no salvation to be found in efficiency."
Oh boy, I needed to read this sentence waking up this morning. Stop what you're doing and go read @joshbrake.com:
joshbrake.substack.com/p/techniques...
Oh boy, I needed to read this sentence waking up this morning. Stop what you're doing and go read @joshbrake.com:
joshbrake.substack.com/p/techniques...
Looking at the lessons learned from pilots and autopilots has something to teach us about how we should think about the downstream consequences of AI for us and our students.
We're Forgetting How To Fly
What autopilot systems can teach us about the dangers of relying on AI
joshbrake.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Looking at the lessons learned from pilots and autopilots has something to teach us about how we should think about the downstream consequences of AI for us and our students.
Great piece here from @erikhoel.blogsky.venki.dev summarizing the main takeaways from the recent Microsoft paper discussing the impact of generative AI on critical thinking.
Those of us helping young people to find their way toward building expertise should take particular notice.
Those of us helping young people to find their way toward building expertise should take particular notice.
brAIn drAIn
The enhancement and atrophy of human cognition go hand in hand
www.theintrinsicperspective.com
February 13, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Great piece here from @erikhoel.blogsky.venki.dev summarizing the main takeaways from the recent Microsoft paper discussing the impact of generative AI on critical thinking.
Those of us helping young people to find their way toward building expertise should take particular notice.
Those of us helping young people to find their way toward building expertise should take particular notice.
Reposted by Josh Brake
HMC's Department of Engineering provides Mudders with hands-on experience in engineering analysis, synthesis and practice including applied research as early as students’ first year. Learn more via this short YouTube video. uqr.to/edathmc.
January 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
HMC's Department of Engineering provides Mudders with hands-on experience in engineering analysis, synthesis and practice including applied research as early as students’ first year. Learn more via this short YouTube video. uqr.to/edathmc.
Ursula Franklin is not a household name, but I'm on a quest to make her one.
She continually comes to mind as I'm thinking about the questions we should ask about AI and its coming and present impact on us. I'm grateful for her work and her courage to ask unpopular questions.
She continually comes to mind as I'm thinking about the questions we should ask about AI and its coming and present impact on us. I'm grateful for her work and her courage to ask unpopular questions.
Ursula Speaks
We ought to listen
joshbrake.substack.com
February 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Ursula Franklin is not a household name, but I'm on a quest to make her one.
She continually comes to mind as I'm thinking about the questions we should ask about AI and its coming and present impact on us. I'm grateful for her work and her courage to ask unpopular questions.
She continually comes to mind as I'm thinking about the questions we should ask about AI and its coming and present impact on us. I'm grateful for her work and her courage to ask unpopular questions.
Efficient learning is analogous to efficient weight training. There are better and worse ways to train, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to lift the heavy things.
I’m all for using AI to help us learn better, but let’s make sure we’re not just shilling the cognitive version of the ab belt.
I’m all for using AI to help us learn better, but let’s make sure we’re not just shilling the cognitive version of the ab belt.
February 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Efficient learning is analogous to efficient weight training. There are better and worse ways to train, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to lift the heavy things.
I’m all for using AI to help us learn better, but let’s make sure we’re not just shilling the cognitive version of the ab belt.
I’m all for using AI to help us learn better, but let’s make sure we’re not just shilling the cognitive version of the ab belt.
Empathy is a core aspect of effective teaching. When you experience pain and suffering, it’s an opportunity to bring it with you into the classroom and model honesty and vulnerability with your students. It’s one of the many aspects of the human teacher that AI can never replace.
Beauty for Ashes
Why teaching with honesty and vulnerability matters
open.substack.com
February 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Empathy is a core aspect of effective teaching. When you experience pain and suffering, it’s an opportunity to bring it with you into the classroom and model honesty and vulnerability with your students. It’s one of the many aspects of the human teacher that AI can never replace.
I finally figured out what those “baby in car” bumper stickers are all about. It’s just a euphemism for “sleep deprived parent at the wheel.”
January 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I finally figured out what those “baby in car” bumper stickers are all about. It’s just a euphemism for “sleep deprived parent at the wheel.”
We live in Altadena. Perhaps you've seen our town on the news. It's not been a good week.
Despite it all I’m resting in God’s goodness for me, my family, and my neighbors. I know that he has a plan for us despite the pain and suffering and that he’s big enough to hold our anger too.
Despite it all I’m resting in God’s goodness for me, my family, and my neighbors. I know that he has a plan for us despite the pain and suffering and that he’s big enough to hold our anger too.
Greetings from Altadena
Clinging to God's providence in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire with open-eyed gratitude
joshbrake.substack.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:31 PM
We live in Altadena. Perhaps you've seen our town on the news. It's not been a good week.
Despite it all I’m resting in God’s goodness for me, my family, and my neighbors. I know that he has a plan for us despite the pain and suffering and that he’s big enough to hold our anger too.
Despite it all I’m resting in God’s goodness for me, my family, and my neighbors. I know that he has a plan for us despite the pain and suffering and that he’s big enough to hold our anger too.
As we enter the new year, we'd all benefit from developing a personal hedgehog concept. Find the small set of things that at the intersection of your passion, talent, and value creation engine and direct your energy there.
Get In Touch with Your Inner Hedgehog
To build a career that counts, focus on the intersection of your passion, talent, and what creates long term value
joshbrake.substack.com
January 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
As we enter the new year, we'd all benefit from developing a personal hedgehog concept. Find the small set of things that at the intersection of your passion, talent, and value creation engine and direct your energy there.
Reposted by Josh Brake
I ended up writing about that little painted cat I found and the contrast it created for me to AI-generated content.
theconvivialsociety.substack.com/p/the-cat-in...
theconvivialsociety.substack.com/p/the-cat-in...
The Cat in the Tree: Why AI Content Leaves Us Cold
The Convivial Society: Vol. 6, No. 1
theconvivialsociety.substack.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I ended up writing about that little painted cat I found and the contrast it created for me to AI-generated content.
theconvivialsociety.substack.com/p/the-cat-in...
theconvivialsociety.substack.com/p/the-cat-in...
What technology can do is only a small part of the story. The much bigger question is how as a society and as individuals we respond.
January 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
What technology can do is only a small part of the story. The much bigger question is how as a society and as individuals we respond.
What if—just hear me out—we spent our time and energy helping humans embrace their agency instead of trying to paste a dim replica onto AI? Agentic AI is just another quest to create a shallow simulation of a deep human trait.
January 2, 2025 at 4:25 PM
What if—just hear me out—we spent our time and energy helping humans embrace their agency instead of trying to paste a dim replica onto AI? Agentic AI is just another quest to create a shallow simulation of a deep human trait.
Reposted by Josh Brake
I should really write a blog post about how all the economic incentives around AI are pointed at less compute, not more, in the long run. That’s exactly what we saw with inference costs the past two years and we’ll likely (finally) see it with training as well.
DeepSeek, a LLM trained for a fraction of the cost of GPT-Xx models, in 2 months for 6 million, on limited GPUs due to export restrictions, and competing head to head. This is crazy.
It's not the AI part I'm excited about, it's the level of efficiency. github.com/deepseek-ai/...
It's not the AI part I'm excited about, it's the level of efficiency. github.com/deepseek-ai/...
GitHub - deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3
Contribute to deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3 development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
December 31, 2024 at 6:11 PM
I should really write a blog post about how all the economic incentives around AI are pointed at less compute, not more, in the long run. That’s exactly what we saw with inference costs the past two years and we’ll likely (finally) see it with training as well.
To understand AI and its potential in education (both positive and negative) we’ve got to be clear-eyed that our patterns of behavior and the values that are upstream of them are being intentionally manipulated.
We’re living in a Skinner box. Let’s pay attention to that fact.
We’re living in a Skinner box. Let’s pay attention to that fact.
We're The Lab Rats Now
The only sustainable way approach to AI and education is to recognize that our technological world is an operant conditioning chamber
open.substack.com
December 31, 2024 at 9:02 PM
To understand AI and its potential in education (both positive and negative) we’ve got to be clear-eyed that our patterns of behavior and the values that are upstream of them are being intentionally manipulated.
We’re living in a Skinner box. Let’s pay attention to that fact.
We’re living in a Skinner box. Let’s pay attention to that fact.