I removed AI from my I Ching app
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I removed AI from my I Ching app
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Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#2OP here.
I built this project because I am fascinated by the Yarrow Stalk method—a process that is complex and full of ritual.
While most apps are just "click and get answer," my implementation requires the user to click over 100 times to complete the ritual. I originally hesitated to add AI because AI demands speed, whereas this ritual represents slowness.
After a month of observation, the results have been surprising:
1. I see users completing these 100+ clicks every day, far exceeding my expectations.
2. Users have left comments on the site specifically asking me NOT to add AI.
3. I also received strong validation for this "sacred friction" strategy from the Indie Hackers community.
This has been really encouraging. It seems people are craving the "process" more than just the result.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#3I had Claude Sonnet 4.5 and Gemini 3 do a Tarot reading for me given what their memory systems know about me and was underwhelmed but I that just may be Tarot, which I'm not familiar with.
More interesting was when I asked them to tell me which character I most resemble in the folowing: The Wire, The Sopranos, Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad and the game of Chess.
Both said I was Freeman in The Wire, Hesch in The Sopranos, Mike in Breaking Bad and a Knight in chess. I asked them to explain their reasoning, which was enlightening from a self-knowledge perspective.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#4I had Claude Sonnet 4.5 and Gemini 3 do a Tarot reading for me given what their memory systems know about me and was underwhelmed but I that just may be Tarot, which I'm not familiar with. More interesting was when I asked them to tell me which character I most resemble in the folowing: The Wire, The Sopranos, Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad and the game of Chess. Both said I was Freeman in The Wire, Hesch in The Sopra…
That 'underwhelmed' feeling is exactly what I was trying to avoid!
It makes sense that the character matching worked well—AI is incredible at pattern matching your past data/context. But Divination (Tarot/I Ching) requires Synchronicity and a sense of 'randomness' that feels earned.
When an LLM generates a reading, it's just predicting the next likely token, which flattens the magic. The manual ritual (shuffling cards or clicking stalks) restores that 'weight' that AI removes.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#5I had Claude Sonnet 4.5 and Gemini 3 do a Tarot reading for me given what their memory systems know about me and was underwhelmed but I that just may be Tarot, which I'm not familiar with. More interesting was when I asked them to tell me which character I most resemble in the folowing: The Wire, The Sopranos, Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad and the game of Chess. Both said I was Freeman in The Wire, Hesch in The Sopra…
That 'underwhelmed' feeling is exactly what I was trying to avoid! It makes sense that the character matching worked well—AI is incredible at pattern matching your past data/context. But Divination (Tarot/I Ching) requires Synchronicity and a sense of 'randomness' that feels earned. When an LLM generates a reading, it's just predicting the next likely token, which flattens the magic. The manual ritual (shuffling card…
I like your take on this. It makes sense.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#6clicking a hundred times is annoying. I think you could automate the yarrow picking so I follow along visually instead of clicking.
otherwise, cool.
and I agree AI has no place in an app like this.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#7OP here. I built this project because I am fascinated by the Yarrow Stalk method—a process that is complex and full of ritual. While most apps are just "click and get answer," my implementation requires the user to click over 100 times to complete the ritual. I originally hesitated to add AI because AI demands speed, whereas this ritual represents slowness. After a month of observation, the results have been surprisi…
Personally I am attracted to the simplicity of the I Ching in that I can do a reading for someone very quickly in the field without a lot of explaining (off brand as-a-fox) so I pack an assortment of coins in my tail (ahem… backpack) though I am still looking for a second pocket I Ching so I have something other than Wilhelm.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#8OP here. I built this project because I am fascinated by the Yarrow Stalk method—a process that is complex and full of ritual. While most apps are just "click and get answer," my implementation requires the user to click over 100 times to complete the ritual. I originally hesitated to add AI because AI demands speed, whereas this ritual represents slowness. After a month of observation, the results have been surprisi…
Personally I am attracted to the simplicity of the I Ching in that I can do a reading for someone very quickly in the field without a lot of explaining (off brand as-a-fox) so I pack an assortment of coins in my tail (ahem… backpack) though I am still looking for a second pocket I Ching so I have something other than Wilhelm.
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Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#9OP here. I built this project because I am fascinated by the Yarrow Stalk method—a process that is complex and full of ritual. While most apps are just "click and get answer," my implementation requires the user to click over 100 times to complete the ritual. I originally hesitated to add AI because AI demands speed, whereas this ritual represents slowness. After a month of observation, the results have been surprisi…
Personally I am attracted to the simplicity of the I Ching in that I can do a reading for someone very quickly in the field without a lot of explaining (off brand as-a-fox) so I pack an assortment of coins in my tail (ahem… backpack) though I am still looking for a second pocket I Ching so I have something other than Wilhelm.
Love the coin approach for field readings!
regarding a 'second pocket' version: You absolutely have to check out Bradford Hatcher (https://hermetica.info/).
He is actually the biggest inspiration behind my development process. His work is incredibly deep, pragmatic, and distinct from the 'Christianized' tone you sometimes get with Wilhelm. He offers his massive 2-volume translation for free on his site.
I am actually considering digitizing his text as an alternative option on my site because his word-by-word matrix is just mind-blowing. Let me know if you find his style fits your 'field reading' vibe.
Re: I removed AI from my I Ching app
#10clicking a hundred times is annoying. I think you could automate the yarrow picking so I follow along visually instead of clicking. otherwise, cool. and I agree AI has no place in an app like this.
Funny you mention that—visual automation was actually in my original roadmap!
I held off on building it because I personally really cherish the manual process. The physical effort (even the clicking) helps me settle into the reading.
But I hear you. 100 clicks is a heavy lift for every session. I will likely add that 'visual auto-play' feature in a future update as a middle ground. Thanks for the feedback!