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riddled: A Notebook That Thinks With You

Outlier score3.3×Overperformer

54,686 views vs a median of 16,468 across the channel's last 15 long-form uploads · as of Nov 6 · 4 days old, early

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The creator introduces riddled, an AI-augmented notebook designed to stimulate deep thinking rather than automate cognitive effort. Unlike conventional AI tools that summarize and eliminate original thought, riddled operates in the margins through proactive critique, on-demand visualization diagrams, and contextual guidance across technical subjects like coding, physics, and chemistry.

Read the teardown

How it earns the click and holds attention, second by second.

10chapters10on-screen captures2named frameworks8claims and stats6references in all
Source: AI is Making us Dumber, So I Built This · Noah Kim
Find in this video

Search what was said and shown

One search covers the transcript, on-screen text, claims and references. Every result jumps to its moment.

    The explainer

    What the video says, with a link to every moment

    A 2-minute read, 6 min less than watching. Each underlined phrase opens the video at that second.

    In this video walkthrough, the creator discusses how modern generative AI tools often reduce users to passive button-clickers who outsource reading, thinking, and problem-solving. Observing that this habit destroys attention spans and critical faculties early in the discussion0:06, he presents the core philosophy of riddled0:39: a digital notebook engineered to think with the user rather than think for them. The tool requires user-generated thoughts to occupy the blank page first, using AI exclusively as a cognitive augmentor in the margins rather than a ghostwriter.

    slide
    riddled.
    ▶ 0:40
    On screen at 0:40

    The demonstration begins with note-taking for content ideation. In the demo, the creator assigns an antagonistic persona1:20 to the notebook instructions, forcing the AI to challenge premises. As he types a new idea about competitiveness, an animated inkblot pulses in real time to show that riddled is reading proactively2:04 and appending counterarguments in the margin. The user can expand any marginal note into an isolated branching thread without cluttering the primary document body.

    slide
    YouTube IdeasVideo Ideas:1. college is becoming increasingly worthless with the advent of AI2. AI will create a huge economic gap between those who let themselves get replaced and those who are competitive enough to make it3. AI is making people dumber4. LLMs will never become "AGI"
    ▶ 1:25
    On screen at 1:25

    Moving to technical learning, the presenter demonstrates interview preparation on a LeetCode subsequence problem2:20. The assistant acts as an interviewer, highlighting subtle logic errors without giving away the direct answer. To tackle complex algorithms, riddled generates step-by-step visual diagrams3:12 on demand. When asked to help visualize 2D dynamic programming, the assistant generates an interactive, staged grid diagram sketched directly on screen3:32, allowing users to click through stages one through four to internalize subproblem accumulation.

    slide
    LeetCode prep: Longest Common SubsequenceLC 1143. Longest common subsequence of text1 and text2.
    ▶ 2:18
    On screen at 2:18

    For times when proactive interruptions are undesirable, users can switch from 'Thinks with you' into 'When you ask' mode4:12. Highlighting text summons options to brainstorm, ask specific questions, or generate custom visuals. Additionally, the document chat sidebar4:50 assesses user weaknesses across an entire note and recommends curated LeetCode practice problems. The video demonstrates further applications in college chemistry lecture notes6:01 and physics incline force diagrams6:10.

    chart
    Physics 101: Forces on a rampA block sits on a ramp at angle θ. Forces on it: gravity, the normal force, friction.
    ▶ 6:09
    On screen at 6:09

    Finally, the author reviews workflow and export capabilities. Documents can be exported to PDF, Word, or Markdown6:53 with or without AI marginalia. The customization menu7:05 allows adjustments to reading pace, margin layouts, font sizes, ink colors, and dark mode. Wrapping up on the riddled pricing page7:56, the creator outlines the free, $9.99/month Plus, and $19.99/month Pro tiers, concluding with a limited launch code for early adopters.

    slide
    Export "Journal"PDF (To read, print or share)Word (To keep editing, in Word, Pages or Google Docs)Markdown (Plain text for anywhere, another app, or note tool)Include the riddles
    ▶ 6:51
    On screen at 6:51
    Highlights
    1. 0:00The problem of AI-induced cognitive passivity
    2. 0:39Introducing riddled and its core philosophy
    3. 2:18LeetCode interview coaching example
    Chapters across the 8:15 runtime

    The host critiques how generative AI tools turn people into passive, cognitive load-reducing button clickers who avoid deep reading, original thought, and hard problem solving.

    0:000:39
    • 0:00MomentThe problem of AI-induced cognitive passivity
    How it's told

    A problem-solution pitch with a live walkthrough

    Format: Talk-to-camera and product demo. The creator outlines the cognitive drawbacks of passive AI use and demonstrates how his notebook tool, Riddled, augments active thinking through interactive margin notes and visualizations.

    Story arc

    1. 0:00Problem StatementArgues that standard AI tools reduce cognitive engagement and harm critical thinking.
    2. 0:38Design PhilosophyIntroduces Riddled as an AI notebook meant to think with users rather than for them.
    3. 1:25Ideation DemoShows brainstorming with an antagonistic AI persona providing counterpoints.
    4. 2:18Coding & Visual DemoShows LeetCode preparation and interactive dynamic programming matrix generation.
    5. 5:58Multidisciplinary Use CasesReviews chemistry diagrams, physics force problems, and personal journaling.
    6. 6:47Customization & ExportWalks through reading pace, margins, theme customization, and file exports.
    7. 7:49Pricing & Launch OfferExplains subscription tiers and shares a launch discount code.

    Setups and payoffs

    1. 0:38Setup Claims AI should augment intelligence and help visualize concepts
      ↳
      3:32Payoff AI generates step-by-step grid diagrams explaining 2D dynamic programming.
    2. 1:06Setup Notes AI should point out mistakes
      ↳
      2:34Payoff AI highlights an incorrect case in a LeetCode problem recurrence.

    Devices

    • Problem-Solution PitchCritiques mindless copy-pasting of AI outputs before revealing Riddled as the remedy0:001:25
    • Live WalkthroughDemonstrates software functionality and real-time generation directly in the web UI1:257:48
    • Limited Offer CTAPromotes launch discount code LAUNCH50 restricted to the first 100 users8:04

    From the video's own structure, matched to the transcript and on-screen text.

    Teardown

    A sharp cultural critique of AI making people mentally lazy hooks viewers into watching what is ultimately a live demo for a custom-built SaaS notebook.

    A real overperformer: 3.3× its typical views (54,686 vs a median of 16,468 across the channel's last 15 long-form uploads, as of Nov 6) · Long-form talk-to-camera and product demo · 4 days old, early

    The promise

    You will discover a custom tool designed to stop AI from making your brain lazy and help you learn complex concepts deeply.

    Packaging

    How it looks in the feed

    Show the feed as
    8:15

    AI is Making us Dumber, So I Built This

    Noah Kim54K views · 4d agoIn this video I go over Riddled, an AI notebook that thinks with you, not for you. It challenges your ideas, asks questions, and helps you think deeper. Try…

    Views and age as of the teardown, Nov 6, 2026. Other videos are blanked out.

    • 3/5Thumbnail imageThe creator's reflective pose and clean software interface establish a serious tone. However, the small explanatory text on the left is impossible to read on a mobile feed.A split frame displaying a clean product interface with a tree diagram on the left and a close-up of the creator with hand on chin on the right.
    • 4/5Thumbnail text“THINK DEEPER”At only two words, it is concise, bold, and easily legible at any scale. It reframes the video's theme as an aspirational command rather than repeating the title.Two stacked white words with heavy black outlines in the top right reading 'THINK DEEPER'.
    • 4/5TitleIt hooks into a widespread anxiety about cognitive decline from automated tech, then opens an immediate gap with an unrevealed project.'AI is Making us Dumber, So I Built This' uses a cautionary premise followed by the pronoun 'This'.
    • 4/5Title + thumbnailThe elements divide the labor well. The title frames the problem and setup, while the thumbnail introduces the app's visual style and philosophy.The title calls out AI-driven dumbing down, while the thumbnail shows an educational tool alongside the text 'THINK DEEPER'.

    Curiosity gap: What software did he build that actually forces people to understand hard concepts instead of letting AI do the thinking?

    The three hooks

    The title, the thumbnail text and the first words spoken each make a promise, and each does a different job.

    • Title“AI is Making us Dumber, So I Built This”Curiosity gapCuriosityLoss aversionIt makes the viewer want to see what tool was created to prevent their own cognitive decline from AI.
    • Thumbnail text“THINK DEEPER”Contrarian takeOutcomeNoveltyIt makes the viewer want to break out of shallow, distracted habits and regain intellectual rigor.
    • First words spoken“It's really scary to me how people are becoming, you know, basically copy-paste robots for AI models, right?”Contrarian takeCuriosityLoss aversionIt forces the viewer to confront whether their own daily AI usage is secretly turning them into a passive, unthinking worker.
    • PairingDifferent jobsThe title establishes the cultural problem and creation narrative, while the thumbnail delivers a concise imperative command and previews the UI.
    • StakesFitsThe packaging targets genuine anxiety about cognitive decline from automated tools, and the video delivers an actual working application built to address that exact problem.
    • UrgencyNoneThe packaging and opening present a broad cultural and intellectual debate without setting an artificial time limit.

    The first 20 seconds

    TimeWhat you seeWhat you hearWhat it does
    0:00Speaker looks into camera in a dimly lit apartment living room.It's really scary to meOpens with an emotional personal admission to grab attention.
    0:01Speaker maintains direct eye contact with the camera.how people are becoming,Sets up the subject of his concern.
    0:02Speaker tilts head slightly while talking.you know, basically copy-pasteIntroduces colorful phrasing to describe a behavioral shift.
    0:03Medium close-up shot remains static.robots for AI models, right?Names AI directly, tying back to the premise in the title.
    0:04Speaker nods subtly as he speaks.They are becoming faster,Acknowledges the common upside of AI before flipping it.
    0:05Speaker raises his eyebrows slightly for emphasis.but also way, way dumber.Delivers the core thesis of the video.
    0:06Static framing remains locked on speaker.Their attention spans are being destroyed,Begins listing the concrete cognitive harms.
    0:07Speaker maintains calm, direct delivery.they aren't thinking for themselves,Heightens the stakes around intellectual independence.
    0:08Speaker blinks and holds focus on the lens.they are reducing theirTransitions into technical cognitive terminology.
    0:09Unchanged medium close-up shot.cognitive load to the pointFrames the issue through mental effort and habit.
    0:10Speaker speaks deliberately without background music.where they're just basicallyBuilds anticipation for his summary label.
    0:11Speaker glances slightly, maintaining framing.button clickers, and thenUses a provocative label to shame passive workflow habits.
    0:12Camera holds steady on speaker.even when it comes toMoves to the secondary problem of skill acquisition.
    0:13Speaker continues uninterrupted talking head.the learning piece, they're beingPoints to learning decay caused by over-reliance on tools.
    0:14Speaker nods once for emphasis.lazy, and then when it comesBluntly diagnoses user behavior.
    0:15Speaker keeps direct eye contact.to actually doing theBegins comparing learning vs. practical execution.
    0:16Static shot with no graphics or cuts.work, they're not evenContinues detailing the decline in user effort.
    0:17Speaker speaks with steady, quiet confidence.putting in the effort toReinforces the lack of critical friction in modern workflows.
    0:18Speaker looks intently at viewer.understand what they're building,Exposes the risk of shipping code or work without comprehension.
    0:19Speaker holds eye contact as sentence wraps.or what they're writing.Concludes the problem description across both code and text.
    0:20Speaker pauses briefly before transitioning.And so...Pivots toward the solution promised in the title.
    Click confirmation
    The speaker confirms the title within five seconds by stating that people are turning into 'copy-paste robots' and becoming 'way, way dumber.'
    Time to the point
    0:05
    Hook
    personal confession, contrarian take, stakes
    Reason to stay
    The title promises a solution ('So I Built This'), so defining the severity of the problem makes the viewer wait to see what software tool he built to fix it.
    Missing on purpose
    No channel intro, no greeting, no background music, no sound effects, and no cutaways to graphics or b-roll.
    Pace and texture
    Completely static single shot with zero cuts or text overlays, driven purely by steady, conversational speaking pace.

    Story map

    Explainer. The creator wants to prevent generative AI from destroying human critical thinking, but current tools encourage passive copy-pasting, so he builds and demonstrates an interactive digital notebook that forces active cognitive effort.

    TimeSectionNew tensionStakesTurnLoops
    0:00 –0:38The Cognitive ThreatIs using AI actually degrading our attention spans and problem-solving abilities?RiseGenerative AI makes people faster, but it also strips away critical thinking.Opens: What did the creator build to solve this cognitive decline?
    0:38 –1:25Design PhilosophyCan an AI tool assist human work without doing the thinking for you?HoldInstead of summarizing and replacing thought, AI should operate purely as an intelligence augmenter.Opens: How does the tool actually function in practice?Closes: Reveals the name and core concept of Riddled.
    1:25 –2:18Antagonistic Brainstorming DemoWill the AI actually challenge the user or just agree like ChatGPT?RiseSetting the AI to be antagonistic creates friction that tests original premises rather than rubber-stamping them.Opens: How does it handle technical or academic tasks beyond simple text?Closes: Shows live in-margin feedback on YouTube video ideas.
    2:18 –4:10LeetCode & VisualizationsCan an AI coach someone through complex logic without spoiling the answer?RiseRather than spitting out code, the AI catches mistakes in recurrence relations and draws interactive matrix grids.Opens: What happens when you want to write without being interrupted by AI?Closes: Shows 2D dynamic programming step-by-step visual generation.
    4:10 –5:58On-Demand Tools & Context ChatDoes constant AI feedback become annoying when trying to focus?HoldSwitching to 'When you ask' mode silences the AI until text is highlighted or queried directly.Opens: Is this tool limited only to computer science coding problems?Closes: Demonstrates document-level diagnostic chat and selective highlighting.
    5:58 –6:47Multidisciplinary Use CasesCan the app handle everyday subjects outside of software engineering?HoldThe system applies equally well to university lectures, incline physics, and personal journaling.Opens: Can users take their work outside the app?Closes: Proves versatility across non-programming domains.
    6:47 –7:49Settings & Export OptionsIs this a toy prototype or a fully functional note-taking system?FallSag: no turnOpens: How much does it cost?Closes: Shows PDF/Markdown exports, layout toggles, reading delays, and dark mode.
    7:49 –8:15Pricing & Launch OfferIs this tool free, or locked behind an expensive subscription?HoldThe product is live with a free tier and a half-off promo code for early adopters.Closes: Delivers pricing breakdown and launch discount code.

    Payoff: delivered fully at 1:25. The creator reveals the exact software he built (Riddled) and walks through live use cases that challenge the user rather than writing for them. Ending: A straightforward software launch pitch showing subscription pricing on the website alongside a discount code for the first 100 users.

    Leaks

    Where a viewer might leave. Guesses from watching, not retention data.

    • 1:00 The creator spends almost a minute speaking philosophically to camera about blank sheets of paper before showing the software interface.
    • 6:47 The narrative shifts from dynamic technical problem-solving into standard software settings menus (dark mode, margin alignment, markdown export).
    • 7:49 The direct transition to a pricing table and launch coupon signals the educational value is over and the sales pitch has begun.

    Steal this

    1. Diagnose an unspoken bad habit before presenting your solution Calling out lazy copy-paste habits immediately validates the viewer's private anxieties about AI dependence before pitching the product. 0:00
    2. Demonstrate AI utility by configuring it as an antagonist Showing an AI model actively disagreeing with the user immediately proves it is not just another sycophantic chatbot wrapper. 1:25
    3. Use interactive step-by-step visuals instead of text summaries Displaying a multi-stage grid that fills cell-by-cell makes an abstract technical concept visually intuitive within seconds. 3:32

    Skip this

    • Focusing heavily on 2D dynamic programming and LeetCode interview preparation. Only works because his core audience consists of computer science students and software engineers who already understand dynamic programming matrices.
    • Spending over a minute reviewing standard app settings and export dialogs. Viewers only tolerate basic software settings walkthroughs if they are already convinced they want to use the specific tool.

    Open questions

    • Did viewer retention sharply fall when the app shifted into a commercial pricing pitch at 07:49?
    • How much of the 3.3× overperformance came from broad browse interest in the philosophical hook versus existing CS students following his technical builds?

    Teardown by Avail.video from the thumbnail, the title, the first 20 seconds and the report's notes on the whole video.

    On screen

    Everything the video showed you

    Slides, frameworks, quotes and formulas, captured verbatim with the moment they appeared. Tap any card to jump there.

    Reference shelf

    People, ideas and things mentioned

    Said means mentioned aloud; Shown means it appeared on screen.

    Ideas & frameworks2

    • Dynamic ProgrammingAn algorithmic problem-solving technique based on breaking problems down into overlapping subproblems.2:30Said2:52Said + shown
    • MarkdownA lightweight plain-text formatting language supported as an export format in riddled.6:54Said + shown

    Organizations2

    • YouTubeOnline video sharing platform used here as the context for video idea brainstorming.1:20Said + shown
    • University of Southern CaliforniaPrivate research university referred to regarding chemistry coursework.6:01Said

    Things on screen2

    • riddledAn AI notebook web application designed to augment human thinking through margin commentary and interactive diagrams.0:40Said + shown1:19Said + shown7:50Said + shown
    • LeetCodeAn online platform for coding challenges and technical software interview preparation.2:19Said + shown5:08Said
    Video description

    A description you can paste into YouTube

    A hook, a summary, chapters in YouTube's format and what the video mentions. Copy it, edit it, and paste it into YouTube Studio.

    1,248 / 5,000 characters
    By the numbers

    What YouTube shows about this video and its channel

    As of Nov 6, 2026. YouTube's public numbers first, then Avail.video's own arithmetic on them.

    The video

    Views
    54.7K
    Likes
    802
    Comments
    121
    Published
    Nov 1, 2026
    Length
    8:15
    Category
    People & Blogs
    YouTube's topics
    Knowledge, Technology
    Captions
    No
    HD
    Yes
    Language
    English
    Paid promotion
    None declared
    Made for kids
    No
    License
    Standard YouTube

    Creator's tags

    No tags

    The channel

    Noah Kim@nykooi
    Subscribers
    6.1K
    Videos
    31
    Total views
    1.4M
    Channel age
    3 years (since Jul 2023)
    Country
    —
    Uploads
    about every 3 days
    Across the last 15 long-form uploads
    Before this video
    4 days after the previous long-form upload

    Calculated by Avail.video from YouTube's public numbers

    Outlier score
    3.3× · Overperformer
    Views against the median of the channel's last 15 long-form uploads
    Views per subscriber
    9.01
    Likes vs the channel's usual
    1.1× the channel's usual
    1.5% of views vs a usual 1.3%
    Comments vs the channel's usual
    1.0× the channel's usual
    0.22% of views vs a usual 0.22%
    Rank among recent uploads
    #5 of 16
    By views: this video and the channel's last 15 long-form uploads
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    Watched by Avail.video · 2026-11-06