I used to build redundant networks. Now I build redundant thinking

When I was a younger network tech in the Army, the first thing I learned was that every critical network path needed a backup. Radios, telephones, smoke signals, anything to get a message across. You didn't build something and hope one link held.

Six months ago, using AI every day, I was making the exact mistake I was trained to avoid. Everything going through one interface. Reading, drafting, problem-solving, etc. Going through one point of failure.

Then I hit a usage limit one afternoon and had no idea what to do next. I was completely stuck.

Our bodies are really good at dumping whatever isn't being used (use it or lose it!) and at that point I was not using my intellect that I worked for so many years to gain.

I started putting friction back in deliberately. Reading without it. First drafts without it. Twenty minutes on a problem before I touch anything.

I'm still using it constantly and getting better with it every day. I just didn't want one dependency I couldn't survive losing.

What have you kept separate? Curious what others are protecting.

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