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A dystopian view of work

 I have written a bit here , but perhaps it calls for a slightly longer post. Recently, I was at a panel discussion and the question of future of work came up. While the other panelists gave a typical view of work, as the last speaker, I was tempted to bring in a different point of view (because why have a panel where everybody is saying the same thing).  So, I shared this dystopian view of work.  In the future, work will happen via long mails, slack (or any other messenger) conversations. The great integration of all communication will happen. And not because of anyone else - because of AI. And you will have a situation where emails are talking to each other via co-pilots, documents are being reviewd, feedback is being taken and given, it is being incorporated. The net result is that work is happening in the background. And none of these co-pilot owners talk to other - atleast not with the articulation and empathy of a human conversation.  In that case, why do we need humans? Or so ma
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We humans are so hackable

This is a story from Betty Crocker - an old story quite well rehashed in many places.  As humans we like to think we are rational, we operate out of free will and all that, but at a very fundamental level, we are quite hackable.  For instance, if there is a mirror, we will peek into it.  At a specific time, we will feel hungry regardless of whether we are hungry at all.  So many things we do are a relic of marketing campaigns.  And in that case, where is our independence?
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Bloat

Podcasts bloat Ted talks bloat Online courses bloat Hell they have even managed to make reels bloat. One course I saw recently has 22 hours video on some innocuous topic. Many Ted talks can be compressed to 3 sentencs (or 5). Tip - read the transcript - it is way faster. Part of the reason I gave up listening to podcasts was bloat and ads.  So, why this bloat? What is the incentive to keep on adding layer after layer of meaningless information. Anything more and this post will bloat.  So, stop. Cut to the chase. 
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On sales techniques

Just as we speak, I received a spam sales mail. As an L&D head, I receive a whole bunch of sales "spam". Not all of it classifies as spam, let me clarify. But a badly crafted sales message is spam. Similarly,  A mail that does not take the organization need into account. A mail that uses techniques like "can we meet this week or next" is pointless - because I dont intend to meet - because your mail did not connect to our need at all.  A mail that is not compelling.  A mail that has no differentiator.  Yes, you are a training company and yes, I am a potential client. Yes you need to get my attention and I might be happier ignoring it. So, how to make that transition? To me the method is to stand out, make the other curious and thats it. When the need arises the client will come (having been on the other side). Someone I had 5 years ago will be working with us because they are "different" - and that is what we seek now.  But my point is - unless your cus
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The nintendo

About 15 odd years ago, when the internet had not crept into all devices, we purchased a Nintendo Wii and we have all of one game CD on it. And it is crazy that even today the kids are able to derive enjoyment out of it and as they grow, the game is becoming a great de-stressor in the midst of exam prep.  Today we are at a stage when every app worth its salt sends updates every week, if not more. So, features can be added, newer levels can be introduced and all sorts of things can be done. But what do you when you have ship your product as "one and done". Or put in other words,  what if updating was a constraint.  Whatever the issue, what is impressive that is that it looks like the game will keep going on and on.  Here are some of the things they have discovered.  The game unlocks new characters as your achievements increase.  There are many such possible achievements - the race is done in reverse, mirror circuits There are many challenges As the players uncover these, newer
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4 minutes of creativity and Chat GPT

 Found this gem in Lyndon Cerejos - Being Designerly newsletter. That is Stephen Fry reading Nick Caves letter on the creative process and ChatGPT.  Worth every second of those 4 minutes. 
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The Creative Act: A way of being

Somebody recommended this book somewhere and as I am wont to do, I bought it. I am a sucker for books on creativity. Especially if it is recommended. By someone I know. Or dont. Or on Amazon. Thus it is that I have a collection of books on Creativity.  Helps that somewhere along the way, I self identify as a creative person. And over the years, I have in my own way understood creativity.  Helps also that I conduct creativity workshops and thus have an insight into creativity.  All said and done, I picked up Rick Rubins book -The creative act. I had no idea who Rick Rubin was - I forgot to google- this was an impulse buy remember. Turns out that he is a creative musician (yes, the book has a lot of references to music).  So, done with all the backstory. Lets get to the book. The book is a master piece of writing on the creative process. Hands down the best book I have ever read that captures the creative process (if you call it capturing, because the whole point of the creative process
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