Perplexity
Perplexity is an AI search tool that cites its sources. You ask a question and get an answer with links to where the information came from. That transparency is meaningful, but the interface still does the thinking and summarizing for you.
Why this score
The citation model is the key differentiator. Seeing sources gives you a way to verify and go deeper, which most AI chatbots don't encourage. Push notifications and re-engagement are moderate.
Cognitive erosion is lower than pure chatbots because the cited sources invite you to read further. But the summarization still replaces the work of reading and synthesizing information yourself.
The breakdown
- Attention Capture3.0
Mechanics designed to keep you in the app right now — infinite scroll, autoplay, variable rewards, and reactive swipe-tap loops.
- Habit Formation3.0
Mechanics designed to bring you back — streak coercion, default push notifications, and re-engagement of dormant users.
- Social Pressure1.0
How much the experience exploits social psychology — public metrics, profile curation, and status comparison against others.
- Time Theft3.0
Mechanics that steal more time than you intended to give — no stopping cues, short units, and 'just one more' loops.
- Cognitive Erosion4.0
Mechanics that replace your independent thinking, memory, or judgment — creating dependency on the tool to function.
- Cognitive Nourishment5.0
Whether the app actively strengthens your ability to think for yourself. Shown on the label, but it does not affect the score.
Recommended usage
Click through to the sources instead of stopping at the summary. That's where the actual learning happens.