The Human Algorithm

Trauma

My Phone Told Me My Brother Was Dead

Ali Shehab on May 15, 2026

Personal Perspective: A man and his daughter are killed in a military strike. Neither was the target. What does this do to our sense of safety, trust, and grief?

Personal Perspective: A man and his daughter are killed in a military strike. Neither was the target. What does this do to our sense of safety, trust, and grief?

Artificial Intelligence

A Nobelist's Formula for Managing AI Anxiety

Ali Shehab on September 17, 2025

Technostress and isolation are the real threats of AI. A Nobelist economist argues that ancient Greek philosophy holds the keys to our well-being.

Technostress and isolation are the real threats of AI. A Nobelist economist argues that ancient Greek philosophy holds the keys to our well-being.

Child Development

Is AI Ruining Your Kid's Critical Thinking?

Ali Shehab on April 24, 2025

AI tools provide easy answers, potentially hindering kids' critical analysis and problem-solving skills. Learn how to guide them to use AI wisely and build crucial thinking skills.

AI tools provide easy answers, potentially hindering kids' critical analysis and problem-solving skills. Learn how to guide them to use AI wisely and build crucial thinking skills.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Therapists Are Biased—And It’s Putting Lives at Risk

Ali Shehab on April 14, 2025

AI therapy tools promise 24/7 support, but hidden biases in their algorithms risk misdiagnosing marginalized groups. Discover why transparency and human oversight are critical.

AI therapy tools promise 24/7 support, but hidden biases in their algorithms risk misdiagnosing marginalized groups. Discover why transparency and human oversight are critical.

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Nostalgia: Why AI Ghibli Art Goes Viral

Ali Shehab on March 31, 2025

Why are AI-generated Ghibli-style images taking over social media? There's psychology behind their viral appeal.

Why are AI-generated Ghibli-style images taking over social media? There's psychology behind their viral appeal.

Career

The Rise of Job Insecurity: Handling Layoff Fears

Ali Shehab on March 19, 2025

Layoffs are now a global phenomenon. Employees are grappling with a new reality: Job security is extinct. Here’s how to survive the psychological storm.

Layoffs are now a global phenomenon. Employees are grappling with a new reality: Job security is extinct. Here’s how to survive the psychological storm.

Social Media

TikTok Therapy: How the Gen Z Trend Is Reshaping Mental Health

Ali Shehab on March 12, 2025

TikTok has become Gen Z’s go-to therapist. But when viral trends replace professional diagnosis, the consequences can be dangerous.

TikTok has become Gen Z’s go-to therapist. But when viral trends replace professional diagnosis, the consequences can be dangerous.

Artificial Intelligence

When Your Therapist Is an Algorithm: Risks of AI Counseling

Ali Shehab on March 2, 2025

You may confess your deepest fears to a chatbot that never judges you. But what happens when an algorithm becomes your closest confidant? Consider the dark side of AI “empathy.”

You may confess your deepest fears to a chatbot that never judges you. But what happens when an algorithm becomes your closest confidant? Consider the dark side of AI “empathy.”

Anxiety

Why Plane Crashes Trigger Mass Anxiety—And How to Cope

Ali Shehab on February 18, 2025

When a plane crash makes the news, it affects more than just the families of the dead. What makes this happen, and how can we deal with these strong feelings?

When a plane crash makes the news, it affects more than just the families of the dead. What makes this happen, and how can we deal with these strong feelings?

Politics

How to Say No to Dominant Leaders

Ali Shehab on February 11, 2025

High-conflict leaders exploit cognitive biases to dominate. Science-backed strategies reveal how to neutralize their tactics—without losing your cool.

High-conflict leaders exploit cognitive biases to dominate. Science-backed strategies reveal how to neutralize their tactics—without losing your cool.

Memes

Why Crypto Memes Hijack Your Brain, and How to Resist

Ali Shehab on January 31, 2025

From Dogecoin to Shiba Inu, meme coins are everywhere. But are they smart investments? Learn how viral trends manipulate your brain and how you can make informed choices.

From Dogecoin to Shiba Inu, meme coins are everywhere. But are they smart investments? Learn how viral trends manipulate your brain and how you can make informed choices.