Working, Thinking, and Learning
A few cool things I'm working on this week, and some recommendations...
First, a thought on AI:
It's like Brad Pitt's character in F1 when he first joins the team. He couldn't care less about the impact of his actions on the rest of the team. He floors it and destroys the car.
AI right now is max profits and acceleration without a worry about the engine blowing or the damage done to people or the environment. It's go go go and then leave the mess for someone else to clean up.
What's New
First, I am excited about the fall project studio cohort for School of the Possible, Project Kairos. I love learning from other compassionate people about their ideas and projects. It's inspiring and also a good accountability group. I'll be working on the Ethical Methods website, messaging, and frameworks.
Second, and related, I joined a small group of solopreneurs focused on supporting and learning from each other. Below are some of the questions asked in onboarding, which I thought would be useful in explaining this new venture:
Type of Work (areas you focus on): Helping folks make good choices and set up business processes for accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability.
Years of Experience: 25+ (whew!)
Industries you've worked with most: Corporate learning and development, advocacy non-profits, small businesses.
One challenge I love solving for clients: Removing barriers to sharing their work.
What I can offer others: Considerations for more ethical technology choices and general tech support (learn from my mistakes and research).
A fun fact about me: The back of my head has been on TV quite a bit - I was an assistant referee for three seasons of Major League Rugby.
New Projects
I'm working with an awesome team focused on educating about psychological manipulation. I'm advising on the learning experience and interaction design, community learning platforms, and accessibility. If you love your learning community, I'd love to learn more about it. Contact me.
I'm helping a long-time client simplify from two websites to one and launch her courses via XCL, an accessible content launching and tracking tool. Build Capable received their VPAT this week for this product, which I've tested and advised on. It's accessible on the administrative side and on the learner side. Sweet!
Recommendations
There Is No Trolley Problem by A.R. Moxon
“So clear the tracks or wreck them. Brake the trolley or break it. Don't accept the premises and constraints of those who would tie others to tracks. Pursue options that a sensible and empathic person would pursue, and let others pursue other ones, so that we can pursue them all.”
I love this mindset, and it's how I want to help you in the choices you're making.
Greg Storey on Transitions and Perspectives
"Perspective is the multiplier. It's what transforms information into wisdom, connections into trust, and experience into better decisions. It's only when you can see the world's problems, needs, and opportunities through a different lens that you stop optimizing for the wrong things."
Indeed! Lenses are so critical. My world changed when I read Steven Lambert's post about lenses. I wrote about it in the context of learning in Design For All Learners. Seek out other perspectives. And listen.
Tactile Maps Automated Production (TMAP)
A screen reader-friendly tool for creating tactile street maps.
What is a Good Life with Mark McCartney
So good.