Ep 9/12: Surviving the AI Apocalypse, the future of work and true value with Bronwyn Williams
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In this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Pierre sits down with futurist and economist Bronwyn Williams. Together, they dive deep into what it means to live purposefully in a chaotic world, the future of work in an age of AI, and how to retain agency in a society leaning towards automation and comfort. Bronwyn discusses the value of being a professional outsider, the illusion of goals for the hyper-intelligent, and her unconventional approach to decision-making and success. It’s a conversation that challenges norms and offers rich insights into how we think about work, value, and freedom.
Timestamps:
[00:01:10] – Where are you right now? Bronwyn on the liminal, nomadic millennial state.
00:02:11] – Why goals don’t work for really smart people.
[00:04:34] – A day in Bronwyn’s life: reading, writing, and speaking.
[00:06:30] – How Bronwyn uses AI to aid in the creative process, not replace it.
[00:09:50] – Her mission as a professional observer and outsider.
[00:13:29] – From spy dreams to futurist: Bronwyn’s unconventional career path.
[00:14:52] – Is studying still worthwhile? Bronwyn breaks it down.
[00:18:39] – What gives Bronwyn hope? People who plant trees.
[00:19:34] – What makes her angry? The myth of no agency.
[00:25:49] – Why we can’t have liberty, equality, and fraternity all at once.
[00:32:53] – How Bronwyn makes decisions and navigates life.
[00:37:35] – Embracing unemployability and escaping the “soggy middle”.
[00:41:55] – The delusion of value in middle-class salary jobs.
[00:44:00] – The psychological impact of overpaid roles and perceived entitlement.
[00:46:15] – Technological progress and the risk to the squishy middle.
[00:48:45] – How Bronwyn defines value and agency in a world of automation.
[00:50:20] – Why most people crave direction over freedom.
[00:53:00] – The outsider’s role in leadership, foresight, and change.
[00:56:15] – The myth of the benign dictator and the desire to escape responsibility.
[00:59:00] – What Jesus, Voltaire, and Mary Poppins have in common with futurists.
[01:01:30] – Final thoughts on belief, free will, and the agency to shape the future.
LINKS
More about Pierre: https://thisispierre.co
Find Bronwyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwynwilliams/
More about Bronwyn's work: https://fluxtrends.co.za
Get her latest book: Survive the AI Apocalypse: https://www.takealot.com/survive-the-ai-apocalypse/PLID98648877
Timestamps:
[00:01:10] – Where are you right now? Bronwyn on the liminal, nomadic millennial state.
00:02:11] – Why goals don’t work for really smart people.
[00:04:34] – A day in Bronwyn’s life: reading, writing, and speaking.
[00:06:30] – How Bronwyn uses AI to aid in the creative process, not replace it.
[00:09:50] – Her mission as a professional observer and outsider.
[00:13:29] – From spy dreams to futurist: Bronwyn’s unconventional career path.
[00:14:52] – Is studying still worthwhile? Bronwyn breaks it down.
[00:18:39] – What gives Bronwyn hope? People who plant trees.
[00:19:34] – What makes her angry? The myth of no agency.
[00:25:49] – Why we can’t have liberty, equality, and fraternity all at once.
[00:32:53] – How Bronwyn makes decisions and navigates life.
[00:37:35] – Embracing unemployability and escaping the “soggy middle”.
[00:41:55] – The delusion of value in middle-class salary jobs.
[00:44:00] – The psychological impact of overpaid roles and perceived entitlement.
[00:46:15] – Technological progress and the risk to the squishy middle.
[00:48:45] – How Bronwyn defines value and agency in a world of automation.
[00:50:20] – Why most people crave direction over freedom.
[00:53:00] – The outsider’s role in leadership, foresight, and change.
[00:56:15] – The myth of the benign dictator and the desire to escape responsibility.
[00:59:00] – What Jesus, Voltaire, and Mary Poppins have in common with futurists.
[01:01:30] – Final thoughts on belief, free will, and the agency to shape the future.
LINKS
More about Pierre: https://thisispierre.co
Find Bronwyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwynwilliams/
More about Bronwyn's work: https://fluxtrends.co.za
Get her latest book: Survive the AI Apocalypse: https://www.takealot.com/survive-the-ai-apocalypse/PLID98648877
