Shrink Space

Is AI making us dumber or enhancing us?
In this episode of Shrink Space, we explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way we think, work, and make decisions. As AI becomes part of everyday life, from healthcare to simple daily tasks, we look at what that means for our effort, our skills, and our ability to think critically.
We also take a step back and look at history. People have always been skepticalof new technology, even as far back as Socrates. So is this just a familiar pattern, or is AI fundamentally different?
We talk about effort avoidance, the trade-off between convenience and skill, how AI might impact critical thinking, who is most affected, and where AI can genuinely add value.

Why are some people more creative?Dave and Rob visited SXSW and got thinking about what drives creativity. Is it incentives, mindset, or something deeper?In this episode, they break down the psychology behind being creative, including the role of self-efficacy, hope, and incentives. They explore how believing your actions matter can shape your behavior, and why some people get stuck while others move forward.

In this episode of Shrink Space, we cover major news shaping the world today: the war in Iran, political tensions, and the narratives forming around global conflict.
We also talk about Donald Trump, the Epstein files, and public scrutiny of powerful figures, including Bill Clinton. Power, secrecy, and influence collide in ways that keep these stories dominating the conversation.

In this episode of Shrink Space, David and Rob talk about the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team controversy and how sports, politics, and public expectations collide. They dive into reactions to Donald Trump and Kash Patel, and explore why political moments so quickly divide people into opposing sides.
David shares his frustration about the response to his recent video, leading to an honest discussion about online criticism and how intentions can be misunderstood. Rob and Dave also examine in-group vs. out-group thinking, why people get defensive about politics, and how identity and belonging shape the way we listen, argue, and respond to each other.

People love watching competence. In this episode of Shrink Space, we talk about “competence porn” and why shows like The Pitt are so satisfying to watch. Calm, capable people handling things well has become deeply appealing, especially in a world that feels increasingly chaotic. Calm is the new charisma.
We also briefly touch on the Epstein files and why they’re back in the public conversation.