"One of the more insidious things that technology is doing now is it’s saving us time, then quietly spending it for us. It does this by expanding what is now possible and what is now expected of us.”
Yea this real. Almost every 'time saving' piece of tech these days turns around & locks us into using it more with the capabilities it produces + then that level of productivity becomes the 'norm'.
I think about this a lot at work. My whole career I've been proud of my ability to produce with speed and efficiency. New tech creates new compounding expectations. Mail, fax, email, IM... The demand for my attention is INSTANTANEOUS to anyone in the organization. Do a good job? Get rewarded with more people needing you immediately around the clock. So I claw back my time. I'm breaking the habit of always being on.
This were the exact lines I read out loud to my husband reading this whole piece right now 😊.
(Nor that they were the only ones worth forwarding; I'll gladly distribute the whole thing fast and wide ♥️. It was just funny that they were the first thing I saw in the comment section 😎)
Great post...BUT...your description of how things will accelerate is incredibly narrow because it revolves around one assumption: that the only things that matter are the changing job market and how to get ahead in the job market. Yes, the job market will change dramatically...we think. There are a huge number of other issues facing us as a planetary species, starting with climate change. Extreme weather and associated events are going to drive change that will dwarf AI—and AI won't be able to save us.
Inequality will continue to grow, and continue to destabilize our nation and the world. Finite natural resources will continue to shrink, forcing dramatic and difficult changes. Severe water shortages will have huge impacts in parts of the country. As a result of all these pressures, geopolitics will leave the world in turmoil. And anyone who believes that the white-collar job market will just keep rolling merrily along on its own little accelerated path (with tidy answers for what will work and what won't, and what jobs will exist and which won't) is deluded. (Not saying you believe that Scott B.)
Things are going to change dramatically across every aspect of our lives, our health, our politics–everything. Predictions about the job market, reskilling, niching, whatever...appear cute compared with the colossal changes that will happen *outside* the job market. And the job market will not remain unimpacted by these changes. It will bend, be torn, morph and regress in ways we can't even begin to predict. The simple truth is, nobody—not Silicon Valley digerati, not oligarchs, not politicians, not even scientists—knows what's going to happen as tipping point after tipping point is passed.
Given all this, I'm not 100% sure that "narrowing down" is the best strategy. I'm not a believer in total apocalypse...but I still think it's worth bearing in mind that if the sh*t REALLY hits the fan (as preppers like to say), 95% of all Silicon Valley knowledge will instantly become utterly useless. And all that will matter is...do you know how to farm? Work metal over a forge? Sew? Hunt? Build a house with your hands? Stitch someone up?
Sorry for the apocalyptic-sounding comment, LOL. But as I read this good article, I could not silence the voice in my head that kept screaming "This is myopic!"
This is the reply I was hoping to find. I wonder if you also paused and gagged when Harari was quoted- I mean- foul as foul as foul can get. And the word “digerati,” sublime. I liked this piece a lot, thoughtful and good for everyone to be reminded to step back and why, to ground. But God came last which is telling. And survival will be what is frontline for so many, and with that comes desperation and violence and dark energy. The chasm will grow between the haves and have nots exponentially. Myopic is correct. BUT this is still solid advice for our young- know thyself. Be grounded and cultivate that Jedi skill.
People see from their perspective, it’s not myopic it’s dude’s vantage point. Yours is apocalyptic. I used to think that way until I really listened to my mom. She a survivor of 3 wars said, “The sun has risen today so go win your day.” I’m grateful for dude’s perspective. As for the apocalypse, we are still alive. What now? I’m not planning on complaining nor criticizing folks that are sharing their insight. Doers are always cooler than whiners. All humanity will benefit with remedies not lamenting about what is coming our way. We know. We all feel the pains.
I hear you Asya. Good points. I'm a doer. And not a whiner, just someone who tries to expand people's perspective. (And you might be right? Why try to expand anyone's perspective? Possibly better to just leave everyone alone.) for the past 18 months we've been drowning in AI hype. And since the 1990s we've been drowning in technology hype. I believe all the hype has blinded people to what else is going on in the world, and replaced that with a misguided belief technology will save us from everything. That's all. Peace out. :-)
You managed to point fingers at the right thing: ourselves and our ability to reflect, slow down, get inspired and get into action, and all while keeping a neutral feel, letting each decide how to best implement this. Well done!
For my part, I can attest the positive change since implementing several tools you mentioned here. Guarding that 1hour morning routine like my life depends on it since I started 2 years ago, because it actually does! Great way to encourage people to give it a try.
I have a couple of suggestions that are meant earnestly: get your hands into the soil, garden or at the very least, care for, get to know, be in relationship with a long lived plant. You will learn how to live in a different timescale. Regularly walk/sit, in an intentional and attentive way, in a natural landscape. Not only will your microbiome improve, you will struggle to be really where your feet are. Eventually you will actually relax and breathe. Do it every day though I warn you, you may find the stories you unquestionably lived by begin to fray.
I totally agree with Josh about the gardening. I realized almost 20 years ago when life seemed to be moving way too fast, that it didn’t do that in my raised gardening bed. Planting some seeds, watering and tending…that process couldn’t be sped up…it was real time…almost a different world. I have never stopped having at least a small garden since then…even a container on a porch. Then, there is the harvest…even if only some kale or lettuce leaves. Such a good feeling to eat something I grew. The seed takes its own natural time to grow…clocks and calendars don’t rule it.
Thank you for jumping in, Josh. That sounds like great advice. I’ve been spending a lot of time in nature these days but not fully nurturing something. You’ve inspired me to get out in the garden more when I’m finished this little walkabout I’m on.
I deeply respect the thought that’s gone into this Scott and thinking about a lot of similar things, particularly how this is just the beginning of the AI boom and how bleak everything looks and feels right now.
I think the part I struggle with is that I want to slow down but I almost worry if I can so as not to get left behind. Slowing down is when I am most at peace but I also carry a certain level of guilt that I’m not “doing” everything I could be doing and that as a result I’m not getting the outcomes/desires I might want for myself (although I’m questioning my desires too). It’s a challenging thought process but I’m going to try some of the exercises here to make sense of it all. I agree, this feels like one of the most important reads on the internet right now.
Thank you Tanveer. I think many of us are thinking similar things, I just have the luxury of time to be able to get them onto paper.
I hear you and I struggle there too. It's impossible to slow down completely, nor should you want to. I think the idea is that, over time, trying too hard to push or 'do too much' will actually hinder your ability to get to the outcome you want. When you can be present enough to see things as they are, I believe you'll find a path that has less resistance. And there will still be times of great effort and determination, those will always be needed. But those moments should feel more like an artist caught up in creating his beautiful painting, instead of pushing a rock up a hill. I believe that happens when we are fully living in our truth and your inner orientation matches that truth. But honestly, I'm just trying to figure this out like all of us. I've just made my life into a living experiment.
The exercises have helped me, please let me know if they bring you some clarity. Appreciate you man.
Incredible article. It was like water in a desert for me. I’m drawn most to your bonus at the end. I believe Jesus is the answer. I also understand many stop there and don’t explore further or dismiss reality. I love the conversation and think it’s so important people take the time to understand what you are talking about.
Thank you, Nathan. That is an incredibly kind comment. The bonus one is the big one for sure. Jesus' teachings are beautiful and I think should be studied by all. And yes, I think those teaching should lead you down a path of further self exploration and study of truth/reality, which I like to believe he'd approve of. Thanks for jumping in, appreciate you taking the time to read and join the discussion.
Appreciate this connection here. I think He would.. He says to have ‘faith like a child’ which I think aligns more with seeking the truth in the context of reality My daughter is constantly asking me questions lol… she’s inquisitive and curious, reminding me of how I want to be on this journey of life
"What happens when the skill you spent your life learning can be done at 80% proficiency by a novice in minutes." This is already real.
I've seen it across products we've built for clients. The gap between expert and beginner output is shrinking fast. What's NOT shrinking is the ability to know which thing to build in the first place. Taste and judgement are becoming the only moats that matter.
Thanks Talha, glad it found you when you needed it. Yes, the acceleration decade has already begun but it's just the very very beginning. Doubling down on taste/judgement will help us weather what's to come. And then using that judgement to help guide others and begin to build better frameworks for living.
Great post, and a lot of advice I'm learning for myself right now. - The increasing speed of everything is messing with how we see ourselves and how we see others. It's turned us into looking out for Number 1 rather than realising that we're all in this together. I think spending time in silence, in calmness, and with real people is where you truly find happiness.
Thanks, Barry. I hear you, the speed has made us feel separate from one another and made us look to 'more' as the answer. More money. More status. I agree that spending time in stillness/calm surrounded by people you love is step 1. Step 2 is examine some of the systems and beginning to come together to design better ones.
This is a great article. I think training your nervous system is the most important of them all- without it so many will live in a frantic and fragile state where we aren’t able to actually absorb anything or adapt.
Thank you. And agree that one is super important. I have a friend who says "the greatest gift you can give someone is a calm nervous system" and I think about it all the time.
The simple reframing of “how can I become successful” to “how can I experience contentment, peace, joy, love, happiness, equanimity” could do a lot of good in the world
Yes, an important reframe. The funny thing is if you're truly content, peaceful, joyful, loving, happy and equanimous then success of all kinds can't help but find you.
The motto in special forces was: "Be prepared," but I have to be honest and tell you that I have trouble understanding the scope of what's happening at this moment. But I sure appreciate these ten points you made, and especially point number ten really resonates with me. Let's think more about what's real.
That's a great motto, Robin. Appreciate you jumping in here and the kind words. #10 is a big one. I spend around ten years in tech and VC so through my network, I get to peak around the corner at how fast things are progressing. It's a little alarming but I believe we can all weather it if we start doing the work now.
What a profound piece, Scott! Well written and so resonant. I particularly liked the concept of time compression and the looking for God. I was raised catholic and I always felt a deep connection with spirit and divine, but in the last 15 years I slowly drifted from church, I feel like the divine is so much more and different than what is portrayed there, but at the same time I don’t exactly know what it is and how to give it a “face”. So I am actively looking for it too!
Thank you, Nibre. I think the act of searching in itself gets us close to that 'face'. And I believe when we search with pure intention, we discover bits of the divine in ourselves. Appreciate you joining the discussion and sharing your story.
Thank you for the post Scott. It is one of the most useful posts I have come across in a very long time and speaks to me at this point in life. Appreciate it and will follow through with some of your recommendations.
Thank you for taking the time to read it, Anthony. I'm really happy that it spoke to you. These recommendations have helped me immensely in my journey and I hope they do the same for you.
Thank you for your thoughtful post Scott. I resonated with much of what you shared and I will take the afternoon of silence as my practice for presence with myself.
As a deep thinker and reflector I’ve often pondered the bigger questions in life, it’s what’s kept me grounded and yet I can see how much I still get distracted by the noise.
Your observation of how tech expands our expectations of what we must be able to do resonated - I feel the load has increased, not lightened. Something to catch going forward.
Thank you for taking the time to read it and for joining the discussion @Glin Bayley . I’m glad you’re going to introduce the afternoon of silence into your practice. I’ve started to do a full day/week and it honestly gives me more energy back than a week long vacation full of distraction used to. I hope it does the same for you.
It’s a constant battle for me as well, not to get pulled into the noise. And yes, the new capabilities we unlock expand the expectations from others and that we place on ourselves. Not time ends up actually being saved at all. It’s a bit of a dirty trick that we have to watch out for.
Thanks, Jeremy. I’m glad that one hit home. These exercises have helped me find some peace, regulation and clarity again, hope they do the same for others.
"One of the more insidious things that technology is doing now is it’s saving us time, then quietly spending it for us. It does this by expanding what is now possible and what is now expected of us.”
Yea this real. Almost every 'time saving' piece of tech these days turns around & locks us into using it more with the capabilities it produces + then that level of productivity becomes the 'norm'.
Yeah and we are all expected to believe that the only thing wrong with instant gratification is that it takes too long.
I think about this a lot at work. My whole career I've been proud of my ability to produce with speed and efficiency. New tech creates new compounding expectations. Mail, fax, email, IM... The demand for my attention is INSTANTANEOUS to anyone in the organization. Do a good job? Get rewarded with more people needing you immediately around the clock. So I claw back my time. I'm breaking the habit of always being on.
Computers only know what has been downloaded.
When you ask a question that has not
It takes for ever to get an answer.
Good old days when you could call a human and get your answer quickly.
This were the exact lines I read out loud to my husband reading this whole piece right now 😊.
(Nor that they were the only ones worth forwarding; I'll gladly distribute the whole thing fast and wide ♥️. It was just funny that they were the first thing I saw in the comment section 😎)
Great post...BUT...your description of how things will accelerate is incredibly narrow because it revolves around one assumption: that the only things that matter are the changing job market and how to get ahead in the job market. Yes, the job market will change dramatically...we think. There are a huge number of other issues facing us as a planetary species, starting with climate change. Extreme weather and associated events are going to drive change that will dwarf AI—and AI won't be able to save us.
Inequality will continue to grow, and continue to destabilize our nation and the world. Finite natural resources will continue to shrink, forcing dramatic and difficult changes. Severe water shortages will have huge impacts in parts of the country. As a result of all these pressures, geopolitics will leave the world in turmoil. And anyone who believes that the white-collar job market will just keep rolling merrily along on its own little accelerated path (with tidy answers for what will work and what won't, and what jobs will exist and which won't) is deluded. (Not saying you believe that Scott B.)
Things are going to change dramatically across every aspect of our lives, our health, our politics–everything. Predictions about the job market, reskilling, niching, whatever...appear cute compared with the colossal changes that will happen *outside* the job market. And the job market will not remain unimpacted by these changes. It will bend, be torn, morph and regress in ways we can't even begin to predict. The simple truth is, nobody—not Silicon Valley digerati, not oligarchs, not politicians, not even scientists—knows what's going to happen as tipping point after tipping point is passed.
Given all this, I'm not 100% sure that "narrowing down" is the best strategy. I'm not a believer in total apocalypse...but I still think it's worth bearing in mind that if the sh*t REALLY hits the fan (as preppers like to say), 95% of all Silicon Valley knowledge will instantly become utterly useless. And all that will matter is...do you know how to farm? Work metal over a forge? Sew? Hunt? Build a house with your hands? Stitch someone up?
Sorry for the apocalyptic-sounding comment, LOL. But as I read this good article, I could not silence the voice in my head that kept screaming "This is myopic!"
This is the reply I was hoping to find. I wonder if you also paused and gagged when Harari was quoted- I mean- foul as foul as foul can get. And the word “digerati,” sublime. I liked this piece a lot, thoughtful and good for everyone to be reminded to step back and why, to ground. But God came last which is telling. And survival will be what is frontline for so many, and with that comes desperation and violence and dark energy. The chasm will grow between the haves and have nots exponentially. Myopic is correct. BUT this is still solid advice for our young- know thyself. Be grounded and cultivate that Jedi skill.
People see from their perspective, it’s not myopic it’s dude’s vantage point. Yours is apocalyptic. I used to think that way until I really listened to my mom. She a survivor of 3 wars said, “The sun has risen today so go win your day.” I’m grateful for dude’s perspective. As for the apocalypse, we are still alive. What now? I’m not planning on complaining nor criticizing folks that are sharing their insight. Doers are always cooler than whiners. All humanity will benefit with remedies not lamenting about what is coming our way. We know. We all feel the pains.
I hear you Asya. Good points. I'm a doer. And not a whiner, just someone who tries to expand people's perspective. (And you might be right? Why try to expand anyone's perspective? Possibly better to just leave everyone alone.) for the past 18 months we've been drowning in AI hype. And since the 1990s we've been drowning in technology hype. I believe all the hype has blinded people to what else is going on in the world, and replaced that with a misguided belief technology will save us from everything. That's all. Peace out. :-)
You managed to point fingers at the right thing: ourselves and our ability to reflect, slow down, get inspired and get into action, and all while keeping a neutral feel, letting each decide how to best implement this. Well done!
For my part, I can attest the positive change since implementing several tools you mentioned here. Guarding that 1hour morning routine like my life depends on it since I started 2 years ago, because it actually does! Great way to encourage people to give it a try.
Thank you, Lucile. I really appreciate the kind words.
The daily practice is so so important. Everything, for me, revolves around that.
I have a couple of suggestions that are meant earnestly: get your hands into the soil, garden or at the very least, care for, get to know, be in relationship with a long lived plant. You will learn how to live in a different timescale. Regularly walk/sit, in an intentional and attentive way, in a natural landscape. Not only will your microbiome improve, you will struggle to be really where your feet are. Eventually you will actually relax and breathe. Do it every day though I warn you, you may find the stories you unquestionably lived by begin to fray.
I totally agree with Josh about the gardening. I realized almost 20 years ago when life seemed to be moving way too fast, that it didn’t do that in my raised gardening bed. Planting some seeds, watering and tending…that process couldn’t be sped up…it was real time…almost a different world. I have never stopped having at least a small garden since then…even a container on a porch. Then, there is the harvest…even if only some kale or lettuce leaves. Such a good feeling to eat something I grew. The seed takes its own natural time to grow…clocks and calendars don’t rule it.
Thank you for jumping in, Josh. That sounds like great advice. I’ve been spending a lot of time in nature these days but not fully nurturing something. You’ve inspired me to get out in the garden more when I’m finished this little walkabout I’m on.
I deeply respect the thought that’s gone into this Scott and thinking about a lot of similar things, particularly how this is just the beginning of the AI boom and how bleak everything looks and feels right now.
I think the part I struggle with is that I want to slow down but I almost worry if I can so as not to get left behind. Slowing down is when I am most at peace but I also carry a certain level of guilt that I’m not “doing” everything I could be doing and that as a result I’m not getting the outcomes/desires I might want for myself (although I’m questioning my desires too). It’s a challenging thought process but I’m going to try some of the exercises here to make sense of it all. I agree, this feels like one of the most important reads on the internet right now.
Thank you Tanveer. I think many of us are thinking similar things, I just have the luxury of time to be able to get them onto paper.
I hear you and I struggle there too. It's impossible to slow down completely, nor should you want to. I think the idea is that, over time, trying too hard to push or 'do too much' will actually hinder your ability to get to the outcome you want. When you can be present enough to see things as they are, I believe you'll find a path that has less resistance. And there will still be times of great effort and determination, those will always be needed. But those moments should feel more like an artist caught up in creating his beautiful painting, instead of pushing a rock up a hill. I believe that happens when we are fully living in our truth and your inner orientation matches that truth. But honestly, I'm just trying to figure this out like all of us. I've just made my life into a living experiment.
The exercises have helped me, please let me know if they bring you some clarity. Appreciate you man.
Great post. I particularly liked: "You will want to build an identity that strengthens under the pressure of constant change and chaos."
It seems obvious, but at the same time, not a lot of people are having this (much-needed) check-in with themselves.
Thanks Alex. Yea I've found the best advice is usually obvious, but unfortunately many of us (myself included) tend to ignore the obvious stuff.
Yea completely agree.
Incredible article. It was like water in a desert for me. I’m drawn most to your bonus at the end. I believe Jesus is the answer. I also understand many stop there and don’t explore further or dismiss reality. I love the conversation and think it’s so important people take the time to understand what you are talking about.
Thank you, Nathan. That is an incredibly kind comment. The bonus one is the big one for sure. Jesus' teachings are beautiful and I think should be studied by all. And yes, I think those teaching should lead you down a path of further self exploration and study of truth/reality, which I like to believe he'd approve of. Thanks for jumping in, appreciate you taking the time to read and join the discussion.
Appreciate this connection here. I think He would.. He says to have ‘faith like a child’ which I think aligns more with seeking the truth in the context of reality My daughter is constantly asking me questions lol… she’s inquisitive and curious, reminding me of how I want to be on this journey of life
Love it. Childlike curiosity is a great way to approach life.
This was a needed read Scott, thank you.
"What happens when the skill you spent your life learning can be done at 80% proficiency by a novice in minutes." This is already real.
I've seen it across products we've built for clients. The gap between expert and beginner output is shrinking fast. What's NOT shrinking is the ability to know which thing to build in the first place. Taste and judgement are becoming the only moats that matter.
Thanks Talha, glad it found you when you needed it. Yes, the acceleration decade has already begun but it's just the very very beginning. Doubling down on taste/judgement will help us weather what's to come. And then using that judgement to help guide others and begin to build better frameworks for living.
Great post, and a lot of advice I'm learning for myself right now. - The increasing speed of everything is messing with how we see ourselves and how we see others. It's turned us into looking out for Number 1 rather than realising that we're all in this together. I think spending time in silence, in calmness, and with real people is where you truly find happiness.
Thanks, Barry. I hear you, the speed has made us feel separate from one another and made us look to 'more' as the answer. More money. More status. I agree that spending time in stillness/calm surrounded by people you love is step 1. Step 2 is examine some of the systems and beginning to come together to design better ones.
This is a great article. I think training your nervous system is the most important of them all- without it so many will live in a frantic and fragile state where we aren’t able to actually absorb anything or adapt.
Thank you. And agree that one is super important. I have a friend who says "the greatest gift you can give someone is a calm nervous system" and I think about it all the time.
All such important and well connected points.
The simple reframing of “how can I become successful” to “how can I experience contentment, peace, joy, love, happiness, equanimity” could do a lot of good in the world
Thank you, Sarin.
Yes, an important reframe. The funny thing is if you're truly content, peaceful, joyful, loving, happy and equanimous then success of all kinds can't help but find you.
The motto in special forces was: "Be prepared," but I have to be honest and tell you that I have trouble understanding the scope of what's happening at this moment. But I sure appreciate these ten points you made, and especially point number ten really resonates with me. Let's think more about what's real.
That's a great motto, Robin. Appreciate you jumping in here and the kind words. #10 is a big one. I spend around ten years in tech and VC so through my network, I get to peak around the corner at how fast things are progressing. It's a little alarming but I believe we can all weather it if we start doing the work now.
What a profound piece, Scott! Well written and so resonant. I particularly liked the concept of time compression and the looking for God. I was raised catholic and I always felt a deep connection with spirit and divine, but in the last 15 years I slowly drifted from church, I feel like the divine is so much more and different than what is portrayed there, but at the same time I don’t exactly know what it is and how to give it a “face”. So I am actively looking for it too!
Thank you, Nibre. I think the act of searching in itself gets us close to that 'face'. And I believe when we search with pure intention, we discover bits of the divine in ourselves. Appreciate you joining the discussion and sharing your story.
Thank you for the post Scott. It is one of the most useful posts I have come across in a very long time and speaks to me at this point in life. Appreciate it and will follow through with some of your recommendations.
Thank you for taking the time to read it, Anthony. I'm really happy that it spoke to you. These recommendations have helped me immensely in my journey and I hope they do the same for you.
Thank you for your thoughtful post Scott. I resonated with much of what you shared and I will take the afternoon of silence as my practice for presence with myself.
As a deep thinker and reflector I’ve often pondered the bigger questions in life, it’s what’s kept me grounded and yet I can see how much I still get distracted by the noise.
Your observation of how tech expands our expectations of what we must be able to do resonated - I feel the load has increased, not lightened. Something to catch going forward.
Thank you for taking the time to read it and for joining the discussion @Glin Bayley . I’m glad you’re going to introduce the afternoon of silence into your practice. I’ve started to do a full day/week and it honestly gives me more energy back than a week long vacation full of distraction used to. I hope it does the same for you.
It’s a constant battle for me as well, not to get pulled into the noise. And yes, the new capabilities we unlock expand the expectations from others and that we place on ourselves. Not time ends up actually being saved at all. It’s a bit of a dirty trick that we have to watch out for.
Appreciate you!
I 2nd what Glin wrote! Masterclass! Thanks, man!
Thank you, Jason. Means a lot, glad it resonated.
Absolutely agree!
nice i like the exercise: "Finish this line: “I feel successful when ______”
So many people are chasing a definition of success that is not their own! thanks for the long write up.
Thanks, Jeremy. I’m glad that one hit home. These exercises have helped me find some peace, regulation and clarity again, hope they do the same for others.
I chased the wrong definition for way too long!