I have a problem. I’ve become so dependent on Claude that I can no longer code without it. Not even to write a simple for loop. I’ll stare at the blank screen for 30 seconds, get bored, then just ask the AI to do it.

My GitHub commit history is a cry for help.

The Productivity Paradox

Last week I shipped a feature in 20 minutes that would’ve taken me 4 hours six months ago.

I should be celebrating. Instead, I’m panicking. Because I genuinely don’t know if I could do it myself anymore. I’ve outsourced so much of my thinking to language models that my brain is basically a prompt engineering engine at this point.

// What I used to write
const filterUsers = (users) => {
  return users.filter(u => u.isActive && u.age > 18);
};

// What I do now
// "Claude, write a filter function for active users over 18"
// [copy-paste the result]

The Real Issue

Here’s what kills me: I’m better at my job. Ship faster, fewer bugs, cleaner APIs. But I feel like I’m cheating.

My coworkers are still grinding through TypeScript like it’s 2019. Meanwhile, I’m using AI to:

• Generate boilerplate
• Debug cryptic error messages
• Write tests
• Explain concepts I forgot
• Build entire features from scratch
• Question my life choices

And the kicker? Everyone who hasn’t fully leaned into this is getting left behind.

The Unspoken Reality

Nobody talks about this openly, but we all know it’s happening. Developers who integrate AI tools into their workflow are shipping 3-5x faster than those still typing everything manually.

By next year, refusing to use AI will be like refusing to use Stack Overflow. Possible, but pointless.

What I’ve Lost

My ability to debug from first principles is getting fuzzy. I used to be able to trace through a nasty memory leak with just console.log and patience. Now? I’d probably just ask Claude what’s wrong.

My muscle memory for common patterns is fading. Why memorize Array methods when you can prompt?

My tolerance for boredom is shot. Anything repetitive? Nope. AI. Anything that takes focus? AI. Anything that involves thinking? …also AI.

What I’ve Gained

Freedom.

I can explore weird ideas without the friction of manual implementation. I can prototype 10x faster. I can actually focus on architecture and problems instead of drowning in syntax.

I ship. Fast. Good. That matters more than I want to admit.

The Uncomfortable Truth

In 2 years, the divide won’t be between “people who code” and “people who don’t.”

It’ll be between people who’ve mastered prompt engineering + AI-assisted development, and everyone else wondering why they keep losing.

I’m in the first camp. And yeah, my homework got eaten by an AI.

But my career is thriving.

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PSA: If you’re not experimenting with Claude/ChatGPT/Cursor/Copilot in your daily workflow, start today. The gap is only widening.