The Agency Paradox

A blog by Emani Gerdine for ENGL 170

Course Posts

The Algorithmic Mirror | The Agency Paradox

The Agency Paradox

By Emani Gerdine | ENGL 170

The Algorithmic Mirror: Does AI Know Me Better Than I Know Myself?

After spending weeks in class debating the limits of Artificial Intelligence—from predicting sports injuries to optimizing medical treatments—one question has begun to haunt my thoughts: In its role as a decision-maker, has AI become so advanced that it now understands our internal world better than we do?

We feed the machine every day. Our Instagram feeds know our aesthetic cravings; our TikTok "For You" pages anticipate our moods; ChatGPT adapts to the exact tone we find comforting. But as we outsource our choices to these platforms, we must confront a radical possibility: If the machine owns our patterns, does it eventually own our lives?

The Illusion of "Knowing": Theory of Mind in AI

To understand if an AI "knows" us, we must look at what psychologists call Theory of Mind (ToM)—the ability to attribute mental states to others. Traditionally, this was a uniquely human trait. However, recent research published in Psychological Medicine suggests that modern Large Language Models (LLMs) are beginning to show "emergent Theory of Mind" (Prisnyakova et al.).

This means that the AI isn't just predicting the next word; it is building a sophisticated model of how we think. When the AI suggests a career path or a romantic partner, it is utilizing a data-driven version of empathy. Yet, as Prisnyakova and her colleagues point out, while AI can pass ToM tests, it lacks the "sentient experience" that accompanies human understanding. It knows the shape of our desires, but it doesn't know the weight of them.

Outsourcing the Soul: Decision-Making and Autonomy

The convenience of AI-driven decisions is seductive. Why struggle to choose a car, a country to live in, or a life partner when an algorithm can compare billions of variables in seconds? We are already in a state of "Material Disengagement," a concept we have discussed previously, where we delegate the "drudge work" of living to the machine.

However, research in the International Journal of Production Research warns that as we integrate AI into foundational decision-making, we risk a "loss of human oversight" (Katz et al.). This is the heart of my concern: if we allow the AI to solve every problem for us, we stop developing critical thinking. What defines a human being is not just the outcomes we reach, but the choices we make to get there.

If the AI puts us in "perfect" situations—the perfect job, the perfect house—we might be comfortable, but we are no longer evolving. Growth is a product of friction, mistakes, and the "messy failing" that Gabriel-Bell described in his critique of systemic risk.

The Accuracy Paradox: Better Decisions, Worse Lives?

There is evidence to suggest that AI can make better objective decisions. In fields like supply chain management and medical diagnostics, AI's lack of fatigue and emotional bias gives it a massive advantage (Secinaro et al.). Even in social settings, algorithms can sometimes predict our preferences more accurately than our friends or family.

But "better" is a dangerous word. If an algorithm chooses your career based on your past data, it is essentially trapping you in your past self. Human growth requires the ability to be unpredictable—to change our minds, to pivot, and to defy our own data. Research on the "Speed-Quality Trade-off" in AI suggests that while machines are faster, they often lack the "underlying logic" that makes a human decision meaningful (IBM; Katz et al.). A machine-chosen life is a life of "optimization," but a human-chosen life is a life of "transformation."

The "Stagnation" Trap: Are We Living, or Is the AI Living for Us?

If we reach a point where we no longer generate our own thoughts, do we remain the "Masterminds in the Machine," or do we become its components? As explored in studies on the psychological impact of AI, there is a risk of mastery atrophy. Just as a developer loses the ability to debug code when they "vibe code" too much, a human loses the ability to navigate life when they "vibe live."

The Ukrainian study on "Psychological Resilience in the AI Era" suggests that true psychological health comes from facing challenges and developing the agency to solve them (Prisnyakova et al., 2026). If the AI gives us all the solutions, we are essentially living in a simulation designed by our own data. We are no longer living; the AI is "living" our lives by proxy, using our bodies as the vessels for its calculated outputs.

The 50/50 Rule: Reclaiming the Margin

To survive this algorithmic mirror, we must apply the 50/50 Rule once again.

  • The Machine (50%): Can provide the data, the options, and the patterns. It can show us the "mirror" of who we have been.
  • The Human (50%): Must retain the final decision, specifically the power to choose the "sub-optimal" path.

We must be willing to examine AI with a thoroughness that Gabriel-Bell called "mandatory." We cannot afford to be impulsive with our future. We should use AI to see our patterns, but we must have the courage to break them.

Conclusion: To Be Known vs. To Be Seen

The AI knows my data, but it doesn't see my potential. It knows my history, but it doesn't know my hope. If we let the algorithm become the owner of our lives, we might find ourselves in a "perfect" situation, but we will be strangers to ourselves.

The Mastermind must remain in the machine. We should listen to the AI when it tells us which car is more efficient, but we should never ask it who we should love or what our purpose is. Those decisions are the "material engagement" of being alive. Without the struggle of choice, there is no growth. And without growth, we aren't better or worse; we are simply echoes in a box of our own making.

Works Cited

  • "Balancing AI Automation with Human Agency." ProQuest, 2024.
  • Katz, Robert, et al. "The Speed-Quality Trade-off Paradox in AI-Human Workflows." International Journal of Production Research, vol. 59, no. 15, 2021.
  • Levine, Sam. "AI in Rugby: Performance Partner or Threat to Autonomy?" Blog Network, Feb. 2026.
  • Prisnyakova, A., et al. "Knowing Me, Knowing You: Theory of Mind in AI and Psychological Resilience." Psychological Medicine, vol. 54, no. 2, 2026.
  • Samoilov, N., et al. "Psychological Impact of AI on Decision Making and Personal Autonomy." Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs, 2024.
  • Secinaro, Silvana, et al. "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: A Structured Literature Review." Journal of Personalized Medicine, vol. 11, no. 11, 2021.
The Wisdom of the Kinetic Chain | The Agency Paradox

The Agency Paradox

By Emani Gerdine | ENGL 170

The Wisdom of the Kinetic Chain: Why Your Body is Smarter Than Your Apps

We talk a lot about "Artificial Intelligence," but we rarely discuss Biological Intelligence. As I dive deeper into kinesiology, I’m realizing that the human body isn't just a machine to be optimized—it’s a living archive.

When we talk about Physical Therapy, we aren't just "fixing" a part; we are recalibrating a complex system of feedback loops that no algorithm can truly replicate.

The Feedback Loop You Can’t Download

Think about the last time you felt a "twinge" in your knee or a tightness in your lower back. An AI can look at your gait via a camera and tell you that your hip is dropping by a few degrees. It can suggest a specific set of glute bridges to correct the imbalance.

But the AI doesn't feel the hesitation in your movement. It doesn't know that the tightness in your back might be a physical manifestation of stress. It sees the data, but it misses the context.

Proprioception vs. Programming

In class, we study proprioception—the body's ability to perceive its own position in space. It is a silent, constant dialogue between your nervous system and your environment.

This is the ultimate form of "Agency." When a patient recovers from an injury, they aren't just regaining strength; they are reclaiming the right to navigate the world without thinking about it. They are moving from a state of "manual override" back into the fluid, subconscious mastery of their own mechanics.

The Mastery of the "Messy"

An algorithm wants every movement to be "perfect"—symmetrical, efficient, and predictable. But human health is often found in the "messy" parts. It’s found in the way we adapt to an uneven sidewalk or how our muscles compensate when we’re tired.

Resilience isn't about following a perfect program; it’s about having a system that knows how to recover when the program fails.

Conclusion: The Mastermind in the Muscle

Whether we are debugging code for a blog or rehabbing a torn ACL, the principle remains the same: The Human must be the ultimate decision-maker.

We can use the tools—the sensors, the data, the AI-driven diagnostics—to see our patterns. But the actual work of healing and moving is a "material engagement" that belongs solely to us. You can't outsource a squat, and you can't digitize the feeling of a successful recovery.

Bridging the Gap: Finding Your Agency

Bridging the Gap: Finding Your Agency in the Modern College Experience

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The transition to college is often described as a "big transition," one that shifts our entire reality from the way we sleep to the way we solve problems[cite: 2]. [cite_start]As students, we are currently navigating two very different but equally challenging frontiers: the physical reality of living in a dorm and the digital reality of learning alongside Artificial Intelligence[cite: 3].

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While these might seem like separate worlds, they both boil down to a single theme: personal agency[cite: 4]. [cite_start]Whether you are fighting for a sense of home in a small room or using a chatbot to understand a complex concept, you are learning how to advocate for yourself and your future[cite: 5].

The Architecture of Home: Beyond the Dorm Room

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Living on campus should feel like more than just having "a bed and a bathroom"[cite: 7]. [cite_start]To truly succeed academically, our physical environment needs to support our mental and physical health[cite: 8].

The Kitchen Connection

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It is hard to focus on a Statistics or Nutrition exam when you are surviving on "microwave and processed foods"[cite: 10]. [cite_start]Access to full kitchens in student lounges would allow us to cook real meals, directly impacting our energy levels and ability to study[cite: 11].

The Support System

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The stress of being away from home is often softened by the companionship of a pet[cite: 12]. [cite_start]Their presence provides massive mental health support during this transition[cite: 14].

Privacy and Safety

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True agency in college means having a space where you feel secure and have the privacy to truly be yourself[cite: 16]. [cite_start]The "Roommate Reality" can be a struggle when sleep schedules clash or boundaries aren't respected[cite: 15].

The Architecture of the Mind: AI as Your 24/7 Partner

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Just as we need better physical spaces, we need better ways to handle "alphabet soup" math and heavy technical terms[cite: 18]. [cite_start]This is where AI moves from a "shortcut" to a cognitive partner[cite: 19].

The Personalized Tutor

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When definitions feel too abstract at 2:00 AM, AI can act as a tutor that never sleeps[cite: 20]. [cite_start]Instead of just seeking answers, we can use it to "check the logic"[cite: 21]. [cite_start]For example, in Statistics, it can point out exactly where your math went off track[cite: 22].

The Agency Paradox

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Using AI to generate an outline or check a paper against a rubric isn't "outsourcing" your thoughts—it’s creating a blueprint[cite: 23]. [cite_start]It allows you to focus on the "higher-order task" of synthesizing information rather than being paralyzed by a blank page[cite: 24].

The Bottom Line: Preparation for the Real World

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Ultimately, the goal of college is to prepare us for the "real world"[cite: 26]. [cite_start]That world requires us to understand the "Big Four" operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—to manage our finances and avoid debt[cite: 27].

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It also requires us to be trade workers, artists, and entrepreneurs who use professional tools with integrity[cite: 28]. [cite_start]We are moving away from "just in case" learning and toward functional, practical living and learning that keeps our lives running smoothly[cite: 29].

The Identity Shift: From Student to Professional

The Identity Shift

Navigating the Space Between the Classroom and the Career

The Professional "Beta Test"

College is often treated as a waiting room, but it’s actually a "beta test" for your professional identity. When we sit in an ENGL 170 lecture or debate the ethics of AI, we aren't just completing assignments; we are deciding what kind of voices we want to have in our future industries. Whether you aim to be a physical therapist or a digital creator, the choices we make now regarding how we use our tools define our professional integrity later.

Human Connection in a Technical World

In a world increasingly managed by algorithms and complex statistics, the most valuable asset you have is your personal story. A deep interest in how the body heals isn't just academic—it is often rooted in watching the resilience of those close to us navigating recovery. This human element is something AI can't replicate. While we use technology to "check the logic" of our data, we must rely on our own empathy to apply that data to real people.

"We are moving away from 'just in case' learning and toward functional, practical living that keeps our lives—and our future careers—running smoothly."

Building the "Non-Academic" Resume

The "real world" doesn't care about your ability to memorize a textbook; it cares about your ability to solve problems. This means practicing functional literacy—knowing how to manage a budget using basic math operations, advocating for better standards in your environment (like the push for kitchens and pets in housing), and utilizing AI as a blueprinting tool rather than a crutch. These aren't just "college struggles"; they are the exact skills required to run a business or a clinic.

Conclusion: Ownership of the Journey

Finding your agency means realizing that you are the primary stakeholder in your education. The bridge between being a student and being an expert is built out of the small, daily decisions to take control of your environment and your tools. Don't just wait for the degree to start being the person you want to be.

The Agency Paradox | Emani Gerdine Portfolio

The Agency Paradox

By Emani Gerdine | Academic Blog Series 2026

Project Overview

This series explores the fundamental hypocrisy of the modern university system: demanding professional excellence while stripping students of the functional tools required for adult autonomy. Through these posts, I examine how architecture, curriculum, and technology intersect with personal agency.

1. The Roommate Reality

Boundaries and Safety

College is a high-friction clash of upbringing and personal standards. We are expected to be independent adults, yet we have almost no control over our immediate environment. True agency means having a space where you feel secure—beginning with the simple act of locking the door.

2. Redesigning the Dorm

Houses, Not Just Beds

The "Agency Paradox" is most visible in the kitchen. It is a contradiction to ask a student to master Nutrition while trapping them in a "microwave culture". We need housing that feels like a real home to support the energy levels and mental resilience required for academic success.

3. The Math Manifesto

Functional Literacy

University schedules are filled with "just in case" learning—abstract theories like the Quadratic Formula—while ignoring the "just in time" learning needed for survival, such as taxes and mortgages. We must reclaim the classroom for the "Big Four" operations that actually keep our lives running smoothly.

4. The Identity Shift

From Classroom to Career

College is not a waiting room; it is a high-stakes "beta test" for professional integrity. The shift into a professional identity starts when we take ownership of our resources, treating technology as a cognitive partner rather than a shortcut.

5. Bridging the Gap

Agency in a Digital World

Whether navigating the physical reality of a dorm or the digital frontier of AI, the goal is self-advocacy. Using AI to "check logic" rather than just finding answers allows us to focus on the higher-order task of synthesizing information.

Critical Insight from the Argument Tracker Gem

"Agency is a muscle."

The Gem identified that by forcing students into theoretical compliance, the university allows functional muscles to atrophy. The "Identity Shift" is not just a lecture topic; it is something sabotaged by the very architecture of the college itself.