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Welcome to my imperfect email.

When you think about how AI will impact our future, are you more Futurama or Terminator?

According to Dr Joel Pearson, the impact of AI goes wayyyyyyyyyyyyy beyond our wildest dreams, and robot imaginations. And, if we prepare now, it’s not all job loss and sadness.

Purposefully yours,

Bell

We'd love to hear your answer. If you're in the mood to get vulnerable and share your writing, send it through.

While many of us (us included) first and foremost imagine the impacts of AI in a tech-revolution-y, robot butler-y, terminator-adjacent way, this episode goes deeper.

Joel discusses how young people are forming attachments with AI companions and how we might see, perhaps the first generation in known history with a lower IQ than the one beforehand.

We talk about the tangible and interconnected mental health impacts that this major societal disruption will have, and Hugh and Josh ask how in the world can we broach this topic with our kids.

BUT, this episode isn’t all doom and gloom. Joel is a tech-optimist, after all.

We talk to Joel about how we can foster human connection, and continue to develop our critical thinking skills, whilst not turning away from AI altogether.

Joel, this has been invaluable.

Practice cognitive upsizing. (20:29 - 21:10)

_{If you use AI to help you with a task, use your critical thinking skills to humanise and extrapolate what AI has created. This may look like discussing the project with a colleague, or thinking about how the project may make someone feel.}

Build helpful habits now, to help you reframe for when uncertainty arises. (50:07 - 52:05)

_{This might look like a morning walk around the block, breathing exercise at lunchtime, or meditation before bed.}

Create an AI Roadmap for your family. (1:02:21 - 1:11:35)

Or send them your unique signup link: {{rp_refer_url}}

It was my first time ever solo-travelling, staying just outside a small Spanish town called Oviedo.

I had just completed a two week campaign with the Australian Bluebottles and competed at the Under-24 World Ultimate Championships before beginning my travels. I was tired, exhausted really, and not entirely enjoying the incredible experience I was having.

Most days were filled with tears and sadness - grieving a recent relationship that had rocked me to my core and I still hadn’t processed. There was a lot going on in my head. 

Getting to Oviedo was a mess. I had no idea if I was at the right bus stop, walked so much further than I thought I would, didn’t have change for bus tickets, and almost didn’t make it to my accommodation. Thanks to the kindness of a bus driver who let me on without the right change, and another stranger that paid for my second bus ticket, I did. While this was incredibly kind, there was more kindness to come. 

I was trashed by the time I reached my accom. Jose - the owner of the Albergue - was incredibly calming and sweet, and I welcomed his energy. He spoke very little English, but as he checked my passport, he noticed my birthday was tomorrow, and wished me a happy birthday. It was a small gesture but one that made me smile and feel seen.

The Albergue was very quiet that night, with only myself and two other Spanish travellers (I believe trekking the Camino) staying. I sat around on my phone, ate some food, wrote in my journal, and tried to rest.

While I’m someone that usually enjoys my alone time, this place compounded my feeling of loneliness and only flowed more reminders of the people - and person - I was missing. 

I woke up the next morning feeling more ready to cry than I was to leave. While I’m not someone with great attachment to my birthday, it felt wrong to feel so sad on a day that I believe should feel special.

I used all the time I had before an 11am check-out to sleep in, shower, and lazily get packed. Finally walking out at just past 11am, I felt guilty for overstaying. As I left I saw Jose again and thanked him for his kindness, only for him to signal to someone. Without a chance to say anything, his whole family came out and began to sing me ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish. This family I had never met, greeted me with such beautiful and genuine warmth, and made me feel so special.

While it may not be the kindest thing someone has done for me, it is a moment that will stay with me forever. As I made my way to the bus I cried again. For the first time in months these were happy tears, full of love and gratitude. Only later that day did I realise I never took a photo with them.

In the space of 24-hours, on one of my worst days of travel, in one of the lowest periods of my life, three strangers supported me more than they may ever know. In reflection, that is ironically one of my most memorable days of travel and is one I hold close to my heart.

It continues to be a reminder to pay-it-forward and act with love + generosity before anything else. It’s something I try to live by as often as I can.

Kieran

Thank you so much for sharing your reflection with us, and with all of you! Always vulnerable responsibly.

This week on A Little More Imperfects, we ask the question … could you do with, perhaps, a little more hair?

Well, hairing is caring, and Ryan has, um, hair to share.

But first, Hugh plucks a reflection from the pond, and we chat about the integral importance of humour amongst grief.

And then, Josh has a bit from a book that changed his life a bit, which takes a VERY emotional turn (not clickbait, we promise).

Join us! Join us! Join us! Join us!

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