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AI Lab · by Kabir Khan · 2026-09-13

I finally understand why AI Lab people care about prompts from the corner shop

I tried this in São Paulo with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan.

Would love to hear how other people handle this. I am especially curious about the version that works on a tired weekday, not just on an ideal Sunday.

I tried this in Cairo with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan

211 sparks · 48 comments

Comments

João Pereira · 15 likes

there is a hidden assumption here that not everyone shares. The social part surprised me too

Minh Nguyen · 14 likes

I am saving this for the next time I overthink finally. My only addition is to make the first step visible

Grace Parker · 2 likes

I had the same reaction to next

Theo Bennett · 11 likes

did anyone else read this and immediately make a tiny checklist? The social part surprised me too

Midnight Otter · 9 likes

I am saving this for the next time I overthink corner. My only addition is to make the first step visible

Kabir Khan · 2 likes

noted, and thank you

Diego García · 4 likes

That is a much better way to say it

Jonas Schneider · 1 likes

noted, and thank you

Budi Santoso · 9 likes

That is a surprisingly elegant way to frame it. The Buenos Aires example makes it feel concrete

Tanvir Rahman · 8 likes

The kindness in this post is lovely. That is where the boring checklist helps

Mateo Cruz · 7 likes

I like the idea, but the setup probly matters a lot. That is where the boring checklist helps

Rohan Mehta · 6 likes

the boring logistics are always the hidden part. I keep a note about tools for exactly this reason

Paolo Garcia · 6 likes

You explained the tradeoff realy clearly. Honestly, the simplest version wins for me

Solar Baker · 6 likes

you explained the tradeoff really clearly. I would write it down before changing anything else

Mia Anderson · 4 likes

Totally agree, especially for beginners

Solar Baker · 10 likes

I am curious what changed your mind

Solar Lantern · 6 likes

Honestly, great taste. This is where I would ask one more question before choosing

Rohan Mehta · 6 likes

Wonderful detail. It makes the whole thing feel real. My only addition is to make the first step visible. This is exactly the kind of tradeoff teams argue about for weeks

Liam Eriksson · 5 likes

Interesting. I would like to see how it changes after 5 months. A little friction removed goes a long way

Lucas Dubois · 19 likes

Totally agree, especially for beginners

Solar Comet · 5 likes

I get the appeal, though I would be careful calling it the best option. Honestly, the simplest version wins for me

Jonas Schneider · 5 likes

I wanted to like this, but the corner argument is weak. I used to overcomplicate this constantly

Irene López · 5 likes

this reminds me of something a friend in Jakarta mentioned. I learned that one teh expensive way. Naming things remains undefeated as teh hardest problem

Mateo Cruz · 5 likes

Can you share what you tried before this? The social part surprised me too

Rapid Otter · 4 likes

I agree with the goal and disagree with the method. A little friction removed goes a long way

Cedar Otter · 3 likes

@rapid-27 You just saved me a bad purchase

Cozy Rider · 1 likes

The Tuesday test is undefeated

Maya Putri · 3 likes

@ph_river34 Helpful correction

Pixel Orbit · 2 likes

That made the concept click

Liam Wilson · 4 likes

I think the bad version of this advice causes a lot of frustration. The chaotic part is easy to underestimate

Rohan Mehta · 4 likes

This has cozy competence written all over it. I am curious whether prompts still feels good next month

Rohan Mehta · 3 likes

amazing how much difference one small change can make. The weekend version is even more interesting

Ngozi Bello · 5 likes

yep, the boring details matter

Arif Hasan · 7 likes

adding this to my notes

Kabir Khan · 2 likes

I think both things can be true

Rohan Mehta · 0 likes

Same here. It took me too long to learn

Kabir Khan · 1 likes

I am curious what changed your mind

Tola Ibrahim · 1 likes

Totally agree, especially for beginners

Maja Wiśniewska · 0 likes

adding this to my notes

Linh Tran · 0 likes

Can you expand on that a bit?

Maya Williams · 1 likes

Thanks that actually helped

Finn Brown · 2 likes

Beautifully put. I needed that reminder today. I noticed the same thing in Cairo

Linh Tran · 2 likes

this is the kind of useful internet I still show up for. I learned that one the expensive way

Solar Orbit · 3 likes

This. Exactly this

Urban River · 2 likes

Did anyone else read this and immediately make a tiny checklist? I would write it down before changing anything else

Ethan Brooks · 1 likes

You explained the tradeoff really clearly. The Manila example makes it feel concrete. Naming things remains undefeated as the hardest problem

Curious Panda · 0 likes

This has cozy competence written all over it. I noticed the same thing in Berlin

Hugo Martin · 0 likes

The people angle is what sold me. That is the kind of detail beginners miss