Culture & Code — “Interface vs. Mind”

Hosts: Rei Inamoto (Nomoto), Tara Tan
Date: September 16, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Rei Inamoto and Tara Tan explore how our digital interfaces—from file systems to AI assistants—are shaping not only how we interact with information but how our minds work, learn, and evolve. Drawing on personal anecdotes, recent research, and parental dilemmas, the conversation spans generational changes in digital habits, the cognitive effects of AI, and the profound implications for learning and literacy in the age of ubiquitous technology.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Changing Nature of Digital Organization

• Anecdote: Rei observes that his teenage daughter doesn't use folders to organize files; instead, she relies on desktop search, mirroring trends reported by professors in college students.
  • “She exclusively relies on desktop search to find files.” — Rei Nomoto (01:12)
• Implication: Shift from spatial/nested logic to instant retrieval reflects broader cultural changes in how we interact with information.

2. Cognitive Impact of AI Writing Tools

• Research Spotlight: MIT study on “Your Brain on ChatGPT”—three groups wrote essays under different AI constraints.
  • AI-generated essays led to significantly less brain activity; AI-assisted was in-between; manual writing elicited the most originality.
    • “The brain activity was way less than the third group, which didn't use any AI to write.” — Rei Nomoto (05:07)
    • “The output of this AI prompted essays, quite vanilla and quite generic.” — Rei Nomoto (06:14)
• Key Insight: While AI can streamline processes, it may contribute to more generic thinking and less cognitive engagement.

3. The “Google Effect” and Brain Plasticity

• Quote/Insight:
  • “The search engine has actually rewired neural pathways for us... less energy towards memorization and more towards referencing.” — Tara Tan (07:05)
• Discussion: Access to instant information shifts mental energy from memorizing facts to knowing how to find them; precedent for AI’s impact on cognition.

4. AI as Tool: Editor, Challenger, and Conversation Partner

• Personal Workflow:
  • Rei uses AI for editing, not ideation. Finds AI-generated ideas bland, but valuable for feedback.
    • “Where I use and I found LLMs to be super useful is editing. So I would write and I'd ask for feedback...” — Rei Nomoto (10:15)
• Tara’s Approach: Challenges AIs to adopt opinionated modes for more interesting and productive collaboration.
  • “I actually tried to move it into an opinion mode... pushes both me and the LLM more.” — Tara Tan (12:46)

5. Parental Perspectives: Introducing Screen and AI to Children

• Rei’s Family: Chose to remove devices/screens from young son after noticing negative behavioral effects; introduced AI (ChatGPT voice) tentatively for language learning.
  • “We stopped letting him use any screen… It was probably one of the best decisions that we've made for him.” — Rei Nomoto (15:10)
  • “I let him use ChatGPT voice mode... having a conversation in Japanese and he was getting such a kick out of it.” — Rei Nomoto (21:11)
• Tara’s Family: Opposite approach; limited TV but is exposing young children to AI (Khan Academy, querying LLMs) to foster new forms of learning.
  • “I actually exposed him to AI this year... I want to see how they interact with it.” — Tara Tan (17:05)

6. The Literacy Crisis in America

• Stark Statistics:
  • “What percentage of kids have reading and Math proficiency at 12th grade right now? 30%... in Japan, it's like 99. 30%.” — Tara Tan (18:49)
• Concern: American students’ reading/math proficiency has plummeted—far below global peers. Hosts caution against blaming solely technology or screens.

7. The Flood of Information: Curation, Adaptation, and Human Limits

• Prediction:
  • The pace of technological change is the new normal; humans will need to adapt to exponential information flow.
    • “This is the new normal. The amount of speed of new information... so the question is, do we need to build tools along the way...” — Tara Tan (23:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Generational Shifts:
  • “It kind of reminds me of the library’s Dewey Decimal system... Now the amount of content is so high that it’s impossible [to organize].” — Tara Tan (03:06)
• On AI’s Impact:
  • “AI is not making people dumb... but that it actually may be.” — Rei Nomoto (06:38)
• On Digital Habits:
  • “The temptation to rely on it to think is high.” — Tara Tan (09:54)
• On AI as Writing Coach:
  • “Sometimes it's been a little rude... it told me, 'just go take a walk.' This is a parasocial relationship forming with the AI.” — Tara Tan (13:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:12] — Rei’s anecdote on generational file organization habits
• [05:07] — MIT study: AI and cognitive engagement
• [07:05] — Tara explains the ‘Google Effect’
• [10:15] — How Rei uses AI for editing, not ideas
• [12:46] — Tara explores challenging the AI for richer interaction
• [15:10] — Rei’s decision to limit screens for his young son
• [17:05] — Tara’s approach to AI exposure for kids
• [18:49] — Shocking US literacy and numeracy statistics
• [23:53] — The new normal: information overload and adaptation

Takeaways

Rei Inamoto:
“These tools... may make us a little bit lazy in some ways, but I think it opens up other opportunities and I think they rewire our brains definitely to open up possibilities.” (24:16)

Tara Tan:
“Embrace that child in you... keep an open mind and have some sort of neuroplasticity. Stay in that kid mode where your mind is open and you’re learning all the time.” (25:26)

Conclusion

This candid conversation traverses the interface between digital tools and human cognition—how interfaces shape habits, skills, and even our brains’ wiring. Through research, parenting stories, and personal workflows, Rei and Tara present a nuanced view: technology is neither curse nor cure, but a catalyst for adaptation. The real imperative is to stay curious, flexible, and conscious about how we use—and are changed by—our tools.