#goldmine — Public Fediverse posts

Here’s how ChatGPT went from a useful tool to a time-wasting habit – Android Authority

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

General technology

Before I knew it, ChatGPT went from a useful tool to time-wasting a habit

AI became my new endless doom-scroll without me noticing.

By Andrew Grush, December 21, 2025•

There are plenty of mixed opinions on AI’s potential benefits and harms, but I’ll admit I’ve been somewhat hooked on it from day one. I tend to dive deep into subjects with AI for short bursts that might last hours or on-and-off for a few days, and then drift away for weeks or more when life gets busy with things that are obviously more important. Slowly but surely, though, I realized I was doing less and less when it came to other personal interests. While my AI use never disrupted my real-life obligations or relationships, it was starting to cannibalize my hobbies.

Recently, I started scrolling through my massive ChatGPT log entries. Some were simple entertainment, and others were deep thoughts that frankly got a bit heavy. There were more interactions than I’d ever care to count. That’s when the thought hit me: “Has this become my new doom scroll?” I started wondering how I got to that point, how much time I was wasting, and why it felt so addictive. Eventually, I took a deeper look at my AI usage patterns and then took a step back.

Do you think you’re dependent on or addicted to AI chatbots like ChatGPT?

144 votes

How I got here and why it proved so addictive for me

According to ChatGPT, about 75% of users ask for practical guidance, seek information, or get help with writing and work tasks. This overlaps heavily with what people traditionally use search engines for. As I already mentioned, I love diving deeply into random subjects, so I fall squarely in this camp. That said, I also use AI as a sounding board for my thoughts.

Typically, I put it in a mode like Professional or Efficient and add a few custom instructions so it isn’t overly sycophantic and will push back on my weaker ideas. This can involve history questions, alternate-history scenarios, or philosophical musings. Yes, I know how to party.

AI is fast and doesn’t judge. That’s quite the dopamine hit.

To be clear, I don’t rely on AI for anything truly important. I mostly use it for personal creative work or low-stakes questions I can verify elsewhere. As someone with ADHD who loves to daydream, I also often use it to explore hypothetical rabbit holes where accuracy isn’t the priority.

So how did this turn into an addiction? AI hits several brain-level incentives for me:

• It’s fast: I don’t have to wait for a human reply or dig across multiple sites for basic answers. Yes, fact-checking is still necessary, but it’s hard to deny the convenience.
• No judgment or boredom: My wife, mom, and friends will sometimes let me info-dump about space, philosophy, or whatever else I’m fixated on, but I quickly wear out my welcome. AI doesn’t get bored.
• It’s easy, low effort: My life has been extremely hectic lately. When I finally get a moment to unwind, I want something easy and slow-paced. In the past, that meant TV or books. Lately, it’s meant long conversations with a chatbot.

For me, this feels very similar to the dopamine loop people get from YouTube, TikTok, or doomscrolling social media. A rabbit hole here and there is harmless, whether web-based or AI-based. The problem is when an occasional time-sink becomes a regular habit that eats into everything else.

I kept noticing it was suddenly midnight or later and thinking, “Oh, I meant to play a board game with the kids,” or “watch that show with my wife,” but yet again, time had slipped away. I’m far from alone, either.

Government organizations have already warned that AI companions could represent a new frontier of digital addiction, and many teens are turning to AI chatbots as emotional outlets, offering a kind of pseudo-friendship traditionally reserved for human relationships. While I’ve never lost sight of the fact that the AI talking to me is a non-human algorithm designed to placate me, many people have also had their realities turned upside down by getting too cozy with the AI to the point they feel like it’s their closest friend. The term has been dubbed “AI psychosis” and is very real for those impacted by it.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Here’s how ChatGPT went from a useful tool to a time-wasting habit

#Fosterville #GoldMine won't change methods despite sparking #earthquake.

Residents who live near the mine say frequent earthquakes rock their homes and have damaged properties before.

Kath and Wayne Bordieri have felt their home quiver and rock hundreds of times from underground blasting by a nearby mine outside of #Bendigo in #CentralVictoria. #auspol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-20/fosterville-earthquake-inquiry-residents-property-damage-vic/104571384

#Fosterville #GoldMine won't change methods despite sparking #earthquake.

Residents who live near the mine say frequent earthquakes rock their homes and have damaged properties before.

Kath and Wayne Bordieri have felt their home quiver and rock hundreds of times from underground blasting by a nearby mine outside of #Bendigo in #CentralVictoria. #auspol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-20/fosterville-earthquake-inquiry-residents-property-damage-vic/104571384

#Fosterville #GoldMine won't change methods despite sparking #earthquake.

Residents who live near the mine say frequent earthquakes rock their homes and have damaged properties before.

Kath and Wayne Bordieri have felt their home quiver and rock hundreds of times from underground blasting by a nearby mine outside of #Bendigo in #CentralVictoria. #auspol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-20/fosterville-earthquake-inquiry-residents-property-damage-vic/104571384

#Quechan Tribe holds Kwanamii Spirit Run to #OroCruz

By Dillon Fuhrman, Karina Bazarte
January 27, 2024

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - "The Quechan Tribe held the Kwanamii Spirit Run on Saturday. The event started at 9:00am at the Quechan Community Center, with registration starting at 8:30am.

"According to sources, the run is to protect their sacred lands in regards to the #OroCruzGoldMine, which they say will mine in their land.

"This is our identity. As a #NativeAmerican this is part of us and this is a part of what we are. This is what our ancestors had left us, so this is why we run. We run to be recognized as a whole, to show others this is what our ancestors had left us and this is why we're here: To show the younger generations, 'Hey, we need to be involved.'"- Conan Nierenhausen, member of the #QuechanTribe

https://kyma.com/news/local-news/2024/01/27/quechan-tribe-holds-kwanamii-spirit-run-to-oro-cruz/

#California #EnvironmentalRacism #WaterIsLife #CulturalGenocide #IndigenousNews #NoConsent #GoldMine #GoldMining #MercuryPollution #Cyanide

[video] #Quechan Elder Urges Solidarity in Face of #Mining Efforts

#SMPGold’s #OroCruz Project Threatens #SacredLands, #PrestonArrowWeed Says

by Juan Valencia on October 9, 2023

"IMPERIAL COUNTY — Imagine Jerusalem burning. Imagine Mecca, Bethlehem — any of these cities important to the history and faith of their respective religions — being destroyed, disrespectfully invaded, and irrevocably altered for the sake of exploration, extraction, and #mining.

T"hough these are far-fetched and horrific developments to the imagination, 83-year-old Preston Arrow-Weed — the Quechan tribal elder, cultural bearer, singer of the old songs, as well as author, actor and playwright — today paints a similarly bleak picture regarding the threats being made to his holy place of worship.

"This place is located here in the desert outskirts of #ImperialCounty and in the neighboring #YumaCounty.

"Southern Empire Resources Corp. (SMP Gold) is a company based out of British Columbia, Canada, which for years now has been attempting to mine for gold within these Imperial County areas, specifically the #CargoMuchacho and #IndianPass regions, in a project of mineral exploration for the purposes of extracting gold that they are calling the Oro Cruz Project.

"'We firmly believe that Oro Cruz has exploration potential for more than a million ounces,' states SMP Gold’s project mission on its website. 'We’ll explore the property using modern geological theory and high tech methods of exploration, and see what we can do.'

"For millennia, the Indian Pass area in eastern Imperial County, where SMP Gold plans to drill and disturb the habitat, has held religious and historical significance for the Quechan Tribe. The area contains sleeping circles, #geoglyphs and pottery shards left behind by the tribe’s ancestors, to name some #artifacts."

Read more:
https://calexicochronicle.com/2023/10/09/quechan-elder-urges-solidarity-in-face-of-mining-efforts/

Video:
https://youtu.be/rOIEx1pmVEI?si=9R6b8QULnuJIZHQW

#California #EnvironmentalRacism #WaterIsLife #CulturalGenocide #IndigenousNews #NoConsent #GoldMine #GoldMining #MercuryPollution #Cyanide

#OroCruz Project

Jan 4, 2024

"The #QuechanTribalCouncil would like to inform the membership on the concern with #SMPGoldCorp. who submitted an Exploration Plan of Operation to the Bureau of Land Management, (BLM) on September 28, 2020. In the Oro Cruz Exploration Project Environmental Assessment/Mitigated Negative Declaration (“EA/MND”), DOI-BLM-CA-D070-2022-0012-EA, Finding of No Significant Impact (“FONSI”), Decision Record and Plan of Operations, Jennifer Whyte, Field Manager for the El Centro Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) issued the Decision of Record on September 1, 2023.

"The Tribe received the notice of the final decision on August 31, 2023. When a project is introduced, BLM’s process is to notify the #Quechan Cultural Committee to inform them of the of the proposed project and they will conduct their due diligence and correspond with BLM on any concerns and also meet with the Tribal Council on the concerns of any cultural significance with the project and a meeting is set-up with the Tribal Council and BLM to go over those concerns. The Quechan Tribal Council is following the process outlining BLM’s disregard of their own process when approving a project.

"The BLM failed to meaningfully consult with the Tribe as required by BLM and Department of Interior (“#DOI”) policies as well as the National Historic Preservation Act (“#NHPA”). The location of the Oro Cruz Project is part of a cultural, religious, and spiritual landscape that is directly tied to our origin stories, traditions, ceremonies, and cultural patrimony of our people.

"On September 13, 2023, the Imperial County Planning Commission, the lead agency for this Project under the California Environmental Quality Act, held a hearing regarding approval of the EA/MND. The Quechan Tribal Council (President Joaquin, Council Members Mc Gee, Smith, Medart, White and Koteen) as well as members of the tribe raised concerns about the impact of the Project on tribal cultural resources. The Tribal Council members stated the government-to-government consultation was inadequate. The Commission stayed determination of the matter until proper consultation between BLM and the Tribe could occur.

"On September 29, 2023, the Tribal Council submitted a request for review and a stay of the Oro Cruz Exploration Project Environmental Assessment/Mitigated Negative Declaration (“EA/MND”) DOI-BLM-CA-D070-2022-EA, Finding of No Significant Impact (“FONSI”), Decision of Record and a Plan of Operations. The request was submitted to Karen Mouritsen, California State Director, Bureau of Land Management, California State Office.

"On October 25, 2023, the Planning Commission once again held a hearing regarding approval of the EA/MND. Members of the tribe as well as a Council Member (Gloria McGee) were again in attendance to comment on the impact of the Project. The Tribal Council member publicly stated the government-to-government consultation had not taken place and read a letter from President Joaquin into the record requesting they continue consideration of the Project until such consultation could be undertaken, the Planning Commission stayed determination of the matter a second time.

"On November 3, 2023, the Quechan Tribal Council had our first government-to-government consultation concerning the Oro Cruz Exploration project with the Bureau of Land Management. At that meeting, BLM El Centro Field Office Associate Field Manager Carrie Sahagun acknowledged that BLM’s previous meetings with the Tribe’s Cultural Committee did not constitute government-to-government consultation and committed to continuing consultation meetings/discussions with the Tribe. Ms. Sahagun also informed the Tribe that BLM State Director Karen Mouritsen was still considering the request that the Tribe filed on September 29, 2023, for review of the El Centro Field Office’s decision to approve the Project.

"The Tribe received no further updates until November 21, 2023, when Director Mouritsen California State Director, Bureau of Land Management, California State Office sent a letter declining the Tribe’s request for State Director review and stay of the decision to approve the Project. In doing so, Director Mouritsen did not address any of the Tribe’s substantive arguments as to why a stay was necessary but instead summarily concluded that sufficient consultation with the tribe regarding the Project has taken place. The Quechan Tribal Council filed a Notice of Appeal and Petition for Stay with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (“IBLA”) for the Tribe to preserve its appeal rights. This is the final step in the process to stop the project through the Bureau of Land Management.

"On December 13, 2023, Vice-President Hall and Donald Salcedo, Tribal Administrator attended the Planning Committee’s hearing where the Oro Cruz Project was on the agenda yet again. The meeting was also attended by tribal members who commented on their opposition to the project. Vice-President Hall read a letter from President Joaquin and entered it into the record. The Planning Committee stayed determination of the matter for a third time.

"On December 18, 2023, the Tribe filed a Notice of Appeal and Petition for Stay with the Bureau of Land Management in accordance with federal regulations, the appeal will then be transmitted by BLM to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, (“IBLA”).

"The Tribe is currently waiting for the decision of our Notice of Appeal and Petition for Stay from the Interior Board of Land Appeals (“IBLA”). If our Notice of Appeal and Petition for Stay is denied by IBLA, the Tribe will then take legal action and file a suit against the Bureau of Land Management. It is unfortunate that this will occur, but the Tribe holds this issue vital to protect our lands for the past, present and future. We would also engage our membership to submit testimonials of opposition as well by relaying the importance of the land to for protection for our people traditionally, spiritually and for generations to come.

"We will continue to update you when there are significant changes regarding this issue.
Thank you.
Quechan Tribal Council"

https://www.quechantribe.com/article/oro-cruz-project

#California #EnvironmentalRacism #WaterIsLife #CulturalGenocide #IndigenousNews #GoldMine #GoldMining #MercuryPollution #Cyanide #OroCruzGoldMine #NoConsent

#Kwanamii Spirit Run: #Quechan Running to Save #SacredLand from #GoldMining

The Kwanamii Spirit Run honors today the resilient pride of the Quechan, as they run to #OroCruz for no gold mining

By Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, #CensoredNews
January 27, 2024

"The Oro Cruz #GoldMine is projected to begin mining on our Sacred Land. This will result in digging huge open pits, which would forever destroy our #ArchaeologicalSites, contaminate water and contribute to the destruction of our vital #ecosystems. #Cyanide and #mercury are regularly released into the #environment." -- Quechan.

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/01/kwanamii-spirit-run-quechan-running-to.html

#GoldMining #California #EnvironmentalRacism #WaterIsLife #CulturalGenocide #IndigenousNews