Remember when computers were supposed to give us more leisure time?
Still waiting.
I wrote about the myth of technological freedom, AI hype, and what mid‑career professionals should actually focus on next. 👉generalistalan.substack.com/p/the-leisu...
If you’re mid‑career, the question isn’t:
“Will AI replace me?”
It’s:
“What do I do that actually requires human judgement?”
Start there.
Technology changes tools.
It rarely replaces people who solve real problems.
The biggest misunderstanding about AI right now:
People think it replaces work.
Most of the time it just changes the work.
Less typing.
More thinking.
Less grunt work.
More judgement.
Tools make skilled people faster. That’s usually the real shift.
A useful rule when people talk about the future of AI:
If someone sounds extremely confident about how everything is about to change…
Check what they’re selling.
The louder the prediction, the bigger the product launch.
At school, we were shown films about the future.
Computers would give us more leisure time.
People would play tennis. Lounge by the pool.
Fast forward a few decades.
No hoverboards.
And somehow, we’re all working more.
Technology didn’t remove work. It just changed it.
And my hoverboard?
Still waiting.
In my latest article I unpack the leisure time myth, the AI hype cycle, and what midlife professionals should actually focus on next.
Read the full piece here: generalistalan.substack.com/p/the-leisu...
Which leads to the real question for mid‑career professionals.
Don’t ask:
“Will AI take my job?”
Ask:
“How can these tools make me better at the work people already value me for?”
That’s where the opportunity is.
A more realistic take comes from people actually building the technology.
Nick Frosst, co‑founder of Cohere, recently said the biggest utility of AI models will be in work, not personal life.
In other words: tools that make professionals faster.
Not machines that replace everyone.
Now we’re hearing the same story with AI.
Huge promises.
Breathless predictions.
And a lot of very confident people explaining how the world is about to change.
A useful rule:
Always check what those people are selling.
Computers absolutely changed work.
But they didn’t remove it.
They just shifted the work.
Typing pools disappeared.
Email exploded.
New tools rarely eliminate work.
They usually just create different work.
At school we were shown films about the future.
Computers would give us more leisure time.
People would play tennis. Lounge by the pool.
Fast forward a few decades.
No hoverboards.
And most of us are working harder than ever.
Something didn’t go to plan. 👇
I'm old enough to remember a time when we were promised leisure time because computers were going to do our work for us. Sound familiar? Read more here and if you like it subscribe and share. generalistalan.substack.com/p/the-leisu...
Each month I make a series of recommendations. Things that I've read, listened to or learned. Here's the recommendations from February 👉 generalistalan.substack.com/p/recommend...
When the news feels chaotic, history is the map. Dr. Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American is one of my February Recommendations. Full list here. 👉 generalistalan.substack.com/p/recommend...
AI can't replace this: 15+ years of success built on human accountability. @MyBodyTutor proves that genuine connection is your best defence against disruption. Read why in my February Recommendations. 👉 generalistalan.substack.com/p/recommend...
The CEO of The Onion on why satire matters more than ever in a ridiculous world. Independent media is a survival skill. This is one of five essential recommendations in my February newsletter. generalistalan.substack.com/p/recommend...
It's recommendation week again. Here are my best picks for Feb.👉 generalistalan.substack.com/p/recommend...
Embrace the Unknown: A Lesson in Confidence
One simple piece of advice changed how I face challenges and how I trust myself. Confidence isn’t having all the answers; it’s having the nerve to begin.
Broadcasting legend Jane Dent on transferable skills you can use throughout your career
Broadcasting legend Jane Dent boils her success down to one thing
What's the secret to Jane Dent's legendary career?
Broadcasting legend Jane Dent reflects on the early support that gave her the confidence to excel in a long and distinguished media career, one that, in its early days, was dominated by men.
Jane Dent: The Accidental Path
How a failed scholarship, a "self-destruction mechanism," and a whole lot of curiosity built one of the most quietly remarkable careers in New Zealand media. 👉 bit.ly/4qNxmkU
I hate networking, just the thought of it makes my palms sweat. I've tried so many times to get myself out there, but it really isn't my thing. So I've tried thinking about it differently and i wrote about it here 👉 bit.ly/3OHRyY8
Networking! Just the word males me feel ick. What if there was a different approach? I've given it some thought here 👉 bit.ly/3OHRyY8
Here's the truth they don't tell you: you're not starting over.
You're sitting on decades of relationships just waiting to be nurtured.
I wrote about ditching "networking" for something that actually works and why it's never too late to start. 👉 bit.ly/3OHRyY8
Your rolodex isn't empty. It's just full of noise.
Stop collecting contacts. Start curating them.
Three principles:
• Depth over breadth
• Give before you ask
• Consistency beats intensity
Small efforts. Real relationships. Compound returns.
The Itzler Method:
Every year, Jesse Itzler handwrites thank-you notes to people who've helped him.
Not emails. Not DMs.
Actual pen-on-paper notes that land in actual letterboxes.
That's how you build relationships that matter in 2026.
Breadth without depth is just a really big list of names.
You don't need 500 LinkedIn connections.
You need five people who would take your call at midnight.
Quality beats quantity. Every single time.
