Predictions for a More Human Future 🌞

a brain dump of the future through my eyes

In my transition to embracing new roles an apprentice, coach and writer, I’ve noticed an inner shift. Feeling called to focus on fewer things, my life is becoming simpler. My laptop has fewer open tabs. I unsubscribed from various newsletters. My stack of new books may remain unread for a while. My outward behavior mirrors this inward orientation. I used to want to travel to new places, but now I’m only spending time in familiar places that feel like home. Instead of wondering what I can change, I acknowledge that in order to get to where I want to be, I have to stay the course.

It might seem counterintuitive, but I chose to compile this medley of predictions because of my choice to focus on coaching. As I explore the core question of "How can I live a good life?" through multiple avenues of curiosity, I see this collection as a way of honoring the evolution of my interests. Documenting these predictions has been like a ceremonial sorting of belongings in a house: laying out each idea, organizing them thoughtfully, and packing them away in mental attic boxes to create spaciousness for new beginnings.

I wouldn’t be surprised if these predictions, tucked away in the attic of my mind, intersect and converge with my ongoing focus on guiding people towards greater kindness, clarity, and power.

Consider these predictions as snapshots of potential futures. They lack specific timelines, confidence intervals, or empirical evidence, and should be approached more as speculative musings than definitive forecasts. I invite you to engage with any predictions that resonate with you in the comments below!

Questions I have been asking myself

Before we begin, here are some of the guiding questions that I’ve been asking myself. As you’ll see, many of my predictions have emerged from constantly exploring these questions.

• How can I live a good life?

• What do I want my typical day to look like?

• What role do I want technology to play in my life?

• Where can I live that’s near family, friends, and nature that also strikes a balance between intellectual & ambitious people, but also adventurous & spiritual people?

• How will climate change, remote work, AI, satellite internet, online dating, social media, video games, decline of religion, cost of college, and the housing crisis shape how we live?

Now let’s dive in 🤿

Health & Wellness

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🧘‍♂️ Health Optimization → Integrated Health

When I asked my friend, who's a former ER doctor, what he'd do to improve the health of societies around the world, his answer surprised me. He proposed assembling groups of 150 people of different ages, ethnicities, and social classes into a tight-knit community, like a modern-day pen pal group. He explained that this strong social fabric could alleviate much suffering by offering support and wisdom in times of need.

We're currently in the era where Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia are worshipped as pop-sci health celebrities. Bryan Johnson has techies on the same strict sleep, exercise, supplementation, and diet protocols. But is this actually the key to a long, fulfilling life?

I'm calling this the "health optimization" scene, and I predict toward a more integrated, holistic approach. The focus will shift to stress levels and the inner world of individuals. "Blue zones," regions with many centenarians, offer insight; lower stress levels may contribute to longevity.

We'll go back to the occasional indulgence of a cookie, not time-boxing every aspect of our lives, and being okay with missing a supplement. The emphasis will be on balance and allowing for slack in our lifestyles.

See: Blueprint Protocol, Blue Zones

🏄🏻‍♂️ Flow-state movements get prescribed for mental health

A recent study revealed that dancing may be more effective than SSRIs or cognitive behavioral therapy for treating depression.

While this finding is important, I also wonder what other forms of physical movement could help with depression. Exercise, in general, positively impacts psychological well-being, but activities inducing a flow state may be especially therapeutic. As an avid skier and surfer, I've felt firsthand how immersive activities alter consciousness in a restorative manner.

When I'm descending down a mountain or riding a wave, my attention is entirely absorbed in the present moment. Time seems to take on a distinct quality, expanding and contracting in a mystical manner. I wonder about the benefits of other flow state exercises like jiu-jitsu, yoga, and capoeira.

I believe the combination of physical exertion, immersion in presence, and being in nature could profoundly benefit conditions like depression. Including more flow-inducing activities such as surfing, skiing, tai chi, and jiu-jitsu in studies could open up new frontiers in mental healthcare.

See: Canadian doctors are prescribing free passes to national parks to treat patients, Surf therapy changes lives of neurodiverse children

♨️ Non-exercise wellness facilities

Whether you believe in the benefits or not, the popularity of cold plunges and saunas is undeniable. Equinox revolutionized fitness with luxury, creating a demographic hooked on eucalyptus towels and upscale wellness. Alongside trends like coworking, meditation, breathwork, and percussion massage, more brick-and-mortar spaces are emerging to promote holistic health without a single dumbbell or gym bro in sight.

See: Reset by Therabody, Othership, The Portal, Bathhouse

📵 Phone-free Experiences

Located in Berlin, Berghain is one of the most-exclusive clubs globally, prohibiting phones to preserve privacy, intimacy, and elusiveness. I anticipate more establishments will follow suit, though for different reasons.

More businesses will ban devices to foster human connection and reduce distraction. Already, cafes prohibit laptop use, and schools employ pouches that lock to deter scrolling. While this trend might begin with upscale venues like Michelin-starred restaurants banning photos or clubs like Berghain, I predict it will spread as businesses recognize the positive atmosphere fostered by a phone-free environment.

See: The Anxious Generation, Yondr, Frog Club

⌚️ Doctors will prescribe you a free Apple Watch, personal trainer, and nutritionist

Did you know you can purchase an Apple Watch with your HSA funds? Fitbit paved the way for devices like Whoop, Oura, and Ultrahuman, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. With telehealth appointments gaining acceptance, I foresee a rise in prescriptions for wearable tech and digital health services for various conditions, including preventive care. Imagine an obese patient using an Apple Watch to track activity and following workouts from their Future trainer. They could receive personalized meal plans from an online nutritionist, with diet monitoring through Levels. While this may seem costly, considering the $210B annual cost of obesity to the US healthcare system, it becomes a feasible option.

It’s also not that crazy of an idea — Germany has already been doing this with the DVG act:

An app can be added to a central registry of apps that can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by all of Germany’s statutory health insurance providers, which covers 90% of the population.
- Harvard Business Review

While this may seem contradictory to the previous prediction of integrated health, I believe it could complement it. A health wearables API could integrate a variety of wearable data to provide unified insights on diet, sleep, exercise, etc. This data-driven approach avoids the pitfalls of optimization culture by crunching numbers behind the scenes and offering simple recommendations to users. No more sleep anxiety from low scores on your Oura ring.

See: Germany’s digital health reforms in the COVID-19 era

🗣️ Talk Therapy → Multimodal Therapy

I always had this nagging feeling when watching a 20-something lifestyle YouTuber promote BetterHelp and share their promo code. I wonder how talk therapy will evolve. Is it wise to heavily promote talk therapy when activities like walking or dancing are more beneficial?

I’m not suggesting eradicating talk therapy. Instead, I envision its evolution. What if therapy embraced multimodal and multi-format approaches? Instead of just Zoom sessions, therapy could include meditation, yoga, nature walks, or plant medicine. How could these modalities be tailored to individual needs? This shift would move therapy from virtual conversations to somatic-based, community-focused, trauma-informed practices.

In terms of formats, how might the 1:1 client:therapist model expand? With therapists gaining large followings, how does this parasocial relationship affect therapy consumers? How therapeutic is it to watch pre-recorded videos? Group therapy exists, but now there are AI journals with dynamic prompts and AI therapists interpreting emotions based on tonality.

See: Thyself, Hume, Yona, Safer Spaces Training, CBT may not be the best fit for black patients, What is trauma-informed care?

🐌 The emergence of decelerators

I’m clearly biased with Downshift, but I firmly believe that more places, programs, and experiences will emerge to guide people through life transitions. Decelerators have potential across demographics, industries, life stages, and geography. I envision one aiding burnt out medical professionals in retirement or career transition, and another for young individuals in tech, finance, or consulting feeling lost. Meeting dozens of 25-35-year-olds contemplating leaving well-paying jobs confirms the problem isn't just mine. Decelerators will vary in format, but I'm most excited about those combining immersive in-person experiences with flexible virtual options.

See: Modern Elder Academy, Onsite, Downshift

🏝️ Instagrammable Vacations → Healing Retreats

I'll admit it - there was a time when I pursued picturesque, photogenic Instagram-worthy travel shots to rack up likes and comments. But after many curated trips, I've grown disenchanted with this superficial, image-first approach. The peak of Instagram-driven travel seems behind us. Fewer people prioritize popular landmarks or staged vacation photos. Instead, there's a rising desire for transformative travel experiences.

Now, when planning a trip, I ask: "Where can I go for a stark contrast to my daily routine?" Immersing myself in a different environment offers not just a new culture, but also a healthy reset from the modern stresses of information overload and an “always on” culture.

Modern work creates unique stress that standard vacations may not alleviate. An all-inclusive resort won't provide the deep reset that specialized retreats can offer.

This shift is being driven, in large part, by the unique symptoms of modern work. The psychological strain induced by the daily grind may not be alleviated through standard vacations. An all-inclusive resort won't provide the deep reset that specialized retreats can offer.

These transformative opportunities vary, from meditation retreats to eco-resorts focused on wellness. They share a goal: using travel for healing, growth, and self-discovery, not just for social media.

These transformative opportunities vary, from meditation retreats and plant medicine journeys to eco-resorts focused on connection to nature. The common thread is using travel for healing, growth, and self-discovery, rather than as a backdrop for social media.

This shift moves away from travel as a vehicle for status, embracing inner work in a nurturing outer container.

🥩 Meat becomes a luxury

I predict a decline in mass-market meat consumption, with a rising demand for nutrient dense, ethically-raised or hunted meat. Many factors, including climate change, increased awareness of conventional practices, rising costs, and better protein alternatives (plant-based, lab-grown, insect), will reduce meat appetite among the general population. Meanwhile, wealthier individuals, concerned about climate change and other implications, will gravitate towards wild and ethically-farmed meat, willing to pay a premium for higher quality and better conditions than what "grass-fed" or "organic" currently signifies.

See: Maui Nui Venison and my interview with Jake, how Zuck eats, Michael Pollan’s diet

Living

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⛩️ Gen Z Monastery

For the generation that grew up with social media, we may reach a tipping point where a small subset opt out of the default norms of either being glued to a screen or holding a camera in selfie mode to produce content for the formerly mentioned group. On the heels of climate change, a mountain of student loans debt, and the looming threat of AI replacing human workers, free-spirited young people will seek out alternative ways of living.

With the decline of church attendance and the subsequent meaning crisis, I predict a hard pivot in the form of Gen Z monasteries. For those who are fed up of TikTok and being told to grow up and “get a real job”, there’ll be physical sanctuaries that create new forms of rituals and rites of passages that have decayed in modern society. Some may seek out a simpler, quieter life on their own like YouTubers Isabel Paige or Liziqi, but I could also see communities emerging that offer shelter, connection, and freedom to explore.

See: America Had ‘Quiet Quitting.’ In China, Young People Are ‘Letting It Rot.’

🌆 Co-living catches on in the U.S.

There’s a few trends unfurling all at once. Small towns are emptying out, but big cities can't seem to build homes fast enough. The average rent in NYC is over $3,500. We’re also battling a loneliness epidemic. Remote work has led to the erosion of social interactions that’d we otherwise have in the office, on public transit, or after-work happy hours.

Co-living emerges as a compelling solution, addressing both the housing crunch and the need for human connection. This model fosters communal living arrangements, allowing people to share space, forge social bonds, and reduce living costs. One problem is that we’ve just gotten so accustomed to larger spaces which hinders our ability to dream bigger (in this case, smaller). The average studio in the US is 300-600 sq. ft. but in Paris it’s more like 150-400 sq. ft. and in Hong Kong, it’s closer to 100-200 sq. ft.

As co-living gains traction globally, particularly in regions like Singapore where space is limited, my hope is that awareness will build in American cities, offering a possible solution to both the housing shortage and our crippling social isolation.

See: Co-living in Singapore, Fractal Collective, Jason Benn, Supernuclear, LiveNearFriends

👵 Americans adopt intergenerational living from the rest of the world

The concept of multiple generations living together seems so foreign in the US, and yet it’s the norm literally everywhere else in the world. A majority of people in the world live in a way that has grandparents, parents, and children living under the same roof. Whether it’s due to a longstanding culture of filial piety or practical elements of financial savings and built-in childcare, intergenerational living is the norm in countries like Italy, Japan, and China. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, it’s actually common for this to extend to the extended family, with multiple families living together.

With Millennials and Gen Z facing hurdles to home ownership, pooling funds with your parents starts to make more sense. I mean, one bigger home is gonna be cheaper than two smaller homes. Plus, with remote work decoupling where you live from where you work, the coordination problem becomes far simpler in terms of choosing where to live in relation to where your parents live. Also, with how expensive childcare is, and childcare no longer being an all-day necessity if you work remotely, having a grandparent around could save you the trouble of hiring a nanny. Another trend I see is the rise of backyard homes AKA accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Dubbed the “granny pod”, this compact, but fully-equipped mini house would allow the grandparents to have their own space while still being in close proximity. Lastly, one of my spicier takes is that I think that many retirement homes in the US are borderline inhumane with how poorly run they are.

Intergenerational living addresses all of these issues with what I think is a more natural, practical solution. The concept is also intentionally abstract with plenty of room for variation. The main point is having the grandparents nearby, whether that’s a short drive away, a 10 minute walk within the same neighborhood, across the backyard lawn, or inside the same home.

🐦 Seasonal Living is Creative Living

Seasonal cycles are embedded everywhere, yet remain tethered to rigid routines. From migration patterns to metamorphosis, hibernation, and weather shifts, seasons are integral to existence. Even outside of nature, we have societal cycles of work and rest in professional sports and the school system.

In the past five years, I've naturally embraced the adaptability and fluidity of seasonal living. In my piece on Reverse Snowbird, I covered the finer details of how I live, and since then, I've discovered new things.

Seasonal living is fundamentally different than digital nomadism. It's less about chasing novelty and currency arbitrage and more about harmonizing our internal rhythms with the external world. I can only speak for myself, but I've recognized my innate need for periodic rest, reflection, and retreat. During creative droughts, I patiently wait for the inward version of the first sign of spring. Then, as new ideas germinate, I allocate enough resources to nurture them, which hopefully leads to a plentiful, satisfying harvest of great work.

For me, retreating to the mountains for skiing provides the spaciousness I need from the relentless pace and expectations of modern life. Surrounded by snow-covered trees that dampen the sounds around me, I find solace and rejuvenation, honoring my natural inclination for balance and renewal. This way of living resonates deeply with me, embodying a sense of authenticity and harmony that feels intrinsic.

While I've navigated the financial and logistical constraints by forgoing 12-month leases for short-term stays, I'm not alone in this. The accessibility of seasonal living is expanding with remote work and shifting social norms around sharing spaces with strangers (thanks Airbnb!) While there are unique challenges for families, having a higher disposable income means parents can spend extended periods away from home, like during summer break.

While the vast majority of people are going to stick with their 12-month leases, I foresee the creative community leading the way. When your work and lifestyle relies on attuning to your inner seasons, it becomes quite compelling to embrace the ethos of seasonal living.

🌞 Seasonal Living addendum for summer interns

Seasonal living is particularly relevant for summer internships in metropolitan areas. Locals living in cities like Austin or Miami, often plagued by heat and humidity during the summer weather, could offer seasonal housing to interns. This would be a win-win, providing reliable intern housing while allowing locals to escape their least favorite season.

See: Ohana Subleasing Co.

👪 Seasonal Living addendum for new grads

Another variation of seasonal living is with new grads moving back home, but traveling for a few months every year. By having home as the default, the newly initiated adult retains the financial cushion and safety of being with their parents, but also has the freedom to coordinate travel plans with their friends. Even in the case of splitting their time 50/50, that’s effectively a 50% reduction in rent, which leaves plenty of disposable income to travel the world, visit friends, or test out living in new cities.

🏄‍♂️ Places will become more homogenous

With remote work, people can finally choose their ideal lifestyle without significant sacrifices to their career. I believe this will usher in a more homogenous landscape for the best places to live. Internationally, people will gravitate towards affordable locations with good weather, friendly visa policies, and a vibrant ex-pat scene. This will resemble the trend of digital nomads flocking to Lisbon, Mexico City, and Bali.

However, more people will migrate domestically. I foresee mountain-enthusiasts moving to Denver and Salt Lake City and ocean-lovers packing up their belongings for San Diego and Honolulu. But this isn’t just about outdoor sports enthusiasts; it's about people seeking their tribe. LA will continue to thrive as entertainment hubs, while political differences may also drive relocations. From a culture perspective, cities may become associated with a particular niche, like Seoul for K-Pop or Tokyo for anime.

However, this shift will have second-order effects. As newcomers flood in, locals may face displacement, evident by the rising housing costs driving out natives in Hawaii. Also, specific groups, like climbers in Boulder, may play a bigger role in shaping local policy. Ultimately, I think we’re going to see a greater shuffling of migration patterns as lifestyle preferences increasingly drive relocation decisions.

See: I move to Spain to be a better dad

⛳️ Golf communities, but for everything else

Building off of the last prediction, as more people move to find their tribe and pursue their passions, there’ll finally be a critical mass to take further action in building the neighborhoods and communities that you want.

All over the country, there are upper-middle class neighborhoods with private golf courses on them. If you don’t play golf, but move there, you’re missing out and wasting money. But what if you could choose to live in a neighborhood that supported your actual hobbies? On the bougie end, this could look like the Yellowstone Club, a neighborhood with its own private ski resort in Big Sky, Montana, or hypothetically, a surf neighborhood that has the proper community house infrastructure to store surfboards. But I don’t see why this couldn’t be extended to other sports like kite surfing, ice hockey, paddle tennis, or horseback riding.

Work

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💼 Work becomes more polarized in its role and meaning in our lives

Some people work to live. Others live to work. There is no right answer.

As the landscape continues to evolve, the role of work will become increasingly polarized. For some, work serves as a means to an end, achieving work-life balance to support their broader pursuits. They derive meaning from activities beyond work, viewing their job as just one component of a multifaceted life. This compartmentalization cultivates fulfillment in life beyond a job, which could be termed “The Good Enough Job”.

Others see work as central to their identity, permeating daily existence and shaping social circles. For this group, it’s less about work-life balance, and more about work-life integration. Colleagues double as close friends, and friendships align with similar work perspectives and worldviews. This polarization extends to work-centric cities like NYC and San Francisco, attracting career-focused individuals, while places like Denver, San Diego, and Honolulu serve as a haven for those who value lifestyle more.

⚖️ Digital Work, Rural Life

Before remote work, work and lifestyle were proportionately modernized. High-achieving knowledge workers worked with the latest MacBook Pro and lived in a major city. In the office, the best SaaS tools were used, and back at home, consumer conveniences like Amazon, Uber, and high-speed internet were taken advantage of. It was accepted that participating in modern society required the latest tech and services for both living and working.

Now, I’m starting to see a decoupling of how people view the role of technology in their work versus their life. Vanlife is a good example of this. Prior to the pandemic, vanlife existed but was mostly dirtbag climbers and ski bums who relied on affordable traveling and living to sustain their passion. Since the pandemic, this unconventional lifestyle has exploded in popularity. Now, software engineers, IT professionals, designers, and other knowledge workers have left the city to bop around national parks. With just a couple solar panels mounted on the roof and internet provided by Starlink, these vanlifers maximize their work potential while keeping leisure time with technology at a minimum.

I expect that as time goes on, more people who value nature, quietude, and simplicity will adopt a tech minimalism lifestyle, while still leveraging the best tech gadgets to earn a living. When I think about the role of technology in my life going forward, the divide is clear. I want even better, faster, easier-to-use technology for when I’m working. And I want to spend even less time in front of a screen when I’m not working.

See: Starlink, Vanlife example

🤳 The Creator Economy was delayed by four years — it’s here now

In 2020, the “creator economy” was a buzzword tossed around by venture capitalists almost as frequently as they wrote checks. A plethora of link-in-bio startups raised millions of dollars, only to realize that the market wasn't as expansive as anticipated. The core mistake was in conflating creators with influencers. There's a finite number of individuals we genuinely find compelling, and our attention bandwidth is limited. Now, in 2024, I'm witnessing the realization of the creator economy promise, although not exactly as initially envisioned. Today, thriving "creators" look more like solopreneurs who possess not only an online presence but also the ability to leverage offshore talent and AI tools. This is different than what we expected. Rather than a 20-year-old dancing on TikTok representing the Creator Economy, it's more akin to a former entrepreneur in their 30s or 40s who understands storytelling, positioning, and how to run a profitable business.

See: Hunter Hammonds, Clipt, Greg Isenberg’s tweet

🕯️AI x Creatives

When I think about the impact of AI on creative disciplines, a simple model emerges: these tools pose a dual threat and opportunity. They present a challenge to low-skilled creatives while empowering high-skilled artists. Despite the imminent tidal waves of disruption, I believe the enduring power law dynamics will apply to creative mediums, which explains the timeless allure of classical paintings in art museums. For example, while many digital illustrators will be replaced by AI, it’s hard to imagine someone like Beeple losing out. If anything, his work may get amplified from leveraging generative AI tools.

I am also expecting our expectations to change. Just as candles survived going extinct by incorporating scents, popular creative mediums will evolve beyond their current form to stay relevant. As for myself, I'm increasingly tinkering with AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Fathom, and Hume. By getting firsthand experience in these early stages, I’m able to keep up with their rapid advancements, while noticing where they fall short. By noting what I’m observing right now, I’ll be able to map out the trajectory of AI tools and the ever-evolving definition of what creativity means.

👷 AI x Skilled Labor

In exploring the intersection between AI and the skilled trades, I've found the reality to be more resilient than initially anticipated. We expected widespread automation by robots, but instead, AI tools have been replacing knowledge workers in fields like graphic design, paralegal work, copywriting, and translation. Certain jobs, like cashiers at McDonald's have already been replaced and in the future, roles like Amazon delivery drivers will also be automated. But that said, I hold the belief that team-based manual labor, such as in construction, and roles in complex environments like electricians and plumbers, will persist.

I hope to witness increased wages for skilled laborers, alongside a renewed appeal for young individuals to pursue these careers. There's no valid reason why every high schooler should feel pressured into pursuing a four-year college education and accumulating student debt, especially if they have no interest in becoming a knowledge worker sitting behind a desk all day. Instead, I hope it becomes socially acceptable and even celebrated to enter the trades. A graduating high school student could begin their apprenticeship and be earning six-figures after just a few years.

📅 Weekday Chilling, Weekend Working

I first stumbled into this flipped work model during ski season. As a product manager, I had no meetings until the afternoon, so I was free to ski on weekdays from 9am until noon. At night, I’d catch up on solo tasks and communicate with colleagues in Asia and Australia. The experience of weekday skiing is not just slightly better than skiing on the weekend — it’s more like 5x better. Instead of forcing a full day on the slopes, you choose which days to ski and for how long, while aligning your schedule to when mother nature delivers the gift of fresh powder. Skiing on a weekday means avoiding traffic, lift lines, tracked out runs and because of this, it’s way more efficient. I could ski for 2-3 hours and be satisfied, leaving plenty of time for work and other things.

I know the skiing example isn’t the most relevant to everyone else, but I already see it happening with friends who are still in normal jobs and live in the city. I’m noticing their subtle shifts to reclaim more agency. Friends will schedule mid day catch-ups or have “co-working sessions” which really means catching up with laptops open, but not actually working. Others will squeeze in a workout during off-peak hours so they can stop asking strangers “How many sets you got left?” It doesn’t always mean less work; some use Sunday evenings for catch-up or prep for the week ahead.

My point is less about how much people work and more about doing what you want, when you want. While I don’t have kids and continue to enjoy my work, I don’t want to actually work less. However, I still want to work on my own terms. My ideal week includes six workdays with deep work in the morning and admin work and meetings later. Rest and leisure are built-in on a daily basis, so I feel less in need for both weekend days fully off. Honestly, that extra workday just means writing for a few hours on a Saturday, which is actually quite enjoyable.

🏢 The Mega Third Space: co-working + childcare + gym

Fun fact: during senior year of high school I worked at Lifetime Fitness’ childcare center. Parents could bring their kids (ages 2-12) and get a workout in without having to find a babysitter or worry about dropping a 45 lb. plate on their toddler. By utilizing part of the gym’s footprint for childcare, Lifetime could meet the needs of an important customer segment, parents with young children.

Fast forward 10 years and there have been a few changes. With remote work as the norm, managing childcare while working from home poses challenges. Separate childcare centers or nannies are options, but both have drawbacks. Commuting back and forth disrupts the workday, and isolation is detrimental for both parents and children.

Now, imagine a co-working space where you could bring your children, all under one roof. This space would also have a fully-equipped gym with afterschool programs and sports for kids. It may sound like I’m just describing a rec center with a few phone booths, but with enough capital, this concept could be a game-changer for upper-middle class suburban families.

The combination of co-working space, daycare and gym represents more than just convenience—it's about integration. It's about seamlessly blending work, family, and health in one location. Imagine being able to pop in and say hi to your child during the workday, while still having distraction-free, deep work sessions. This would certainly help parents save money on childcare and boost work productivity, but the implications on communal wellbeing and cohesion are more interesting to me. We are social creatures meant to be around other beings—this goes for both kids and adults.

See: BumoWork, Lifetime Fitness Kids Academy

Culture

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🍸 Sober Socializing at Third Places

More people are drinking less (the most-sold beer at Whole Foods is non-alcoholic). If people remain cooped up at home in their remote jobs and continue to drink less, then there will be a huge gaping hole in social connection. Over recent months, it seems like there’s an emerging trend on social gatherings that don’t have alcohol or don’t make drinking an obligation. From writing clubs to reading parties to mahjong evenings to art cafes, I expect to see this more, and I’m stoked.

Some examples: Midnight Cafe, Writing Club at The Commons, Olive Tree Writing Club at Verci Joust, Reading Rhythms, Happy Medium, Flourishathon, Run Clubs, Podcast Mixers, Writing the Wave, RecCreate Collective, Green Tile Social Club

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Offline dating experiences

When some people see this insane chart, they often worry about Match Group’s monopoly on the dating market. Then they brainstorm ways to build a new dating app. Maybe an elitist version (The League, Raya) or maybe a different app for every ethnicity and religion.

What’s old is new again. Combined with the last prediction on sober socializing, I think we’ll see more intentional offline dating places and experiences. These establishments and events will be intentionally for single folks looking to meet people. Less people are meeting at the bar, but what if the bar is repurposed from overpriced alcohol dispenser to an actual third place for social connection? I think this will happen more and more and we’ll see it first with folks in the 28-35 age range who are looking to date intentionally and get get wifed (or husbanded) up.

See: UpDating, The Gutes List, Pew Center on online dating data

🎨 Creative Residencies

The pandemic led to TikTok creator houses in LA, but what if that concept was expanded? With Airbnb, remote work, and the cultural norm of documenting your life on social media, more creative folks will coordinate temporary co-living travels together. If a group of social media creators can live together, why can’t a group of designers? I could see myself spending a month with fellow writers somewhere in the Sierras under redwoods. Why stop at creatives though — this concept could easily be expanded to hackers, tinkerers, or any group of like-minded people. In fact, I already see it happening.

See: Traveling Neighborhoods by Devon Zuegel, HF0, CabinDAO, Banff Centre

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Pro-natalism Influencers

The decline of population growth is going to become a bigger problem. Governments will incentivize childbirth, while cracking down on porn, AI girlfriends, and potentially even adjacencies like gambling and video games. Pretty much all advanced countries are dealing with this problem, and China will implement policy the most aggressively. But other than policy and regulation, another way to tackle this problem is through culture. Parenting influencers will rise. This could look like Gen Z moms and dads showcasing their family life on social media. The government may even fund these pro-natalism influencers to promote population growth. If you’re skeptical that the government would pay individuals to promote having kids, just look at what government agencies in the form of travel boards are already doing with sponsoring travel influencers.

See: Culture over Policy: The birth rate decline, The Shaytards, mommy bloggers

🏀 Sports betting continues to grow and there are negative ripple effects

Over the past couple of decades, sports have become less of an activity that we participate in and more of an entertainment format that we consume. The first shift was going from playing pick-up at the rec center to lying on the couch all Sunday. The second shift is happening now. Instead of sharing a plate of hot wings with the boys, now we sit alone at home, flickering our attention between the small screen of odds and spreads in our hand and the big screen showing the game, but also ads telling us how we can all get rich by gambling on sports.

It goes without saying that sports betting is a form of gambling. And when I think of gambling, I always think about the people I see during my 8-hour long solo drives between Lake Tahoe and Salt City during ski season. I’ve done this drive that cuts through Nevada over a dozen times now and inevitably have to take a few pee breaks. Whether it’s a gas station that has a couple of slot machines or a full-blown casino, I always see the same type of people. Glassy-eyed, often overweight, with zombie-like movements, they pull the slot machine lever without pulling away from the screen, unaware of what’s going on around them or within themselves.

What happens when we make this type of mass mental sedation accessible to anyone with a phone? To be clear, I don’t think we should ban sports betting. But I do think all forms of modern gambling are potent in their ability to addict someone from home. With the combination of video games, AI girlfriends, porn, and now sports betting, I’m concerned that there’s an entire generation of young men who are effectively and unknowingly committing non-invasive self-neutering.

See: Sports betting boom fuels concerns over problem gambling

😎 Idolizing celebrities → admiring creators

We used to have a monoculture. We read the same magazines and watched the same movies, but now our TikTok feeds are completely different. With society so hyperconnected and algorithmically steered, it’s never been easier to share who you are and find your people. This results in a greater affinity towards micro-influencers that are like us, rather than celebrities with much harder to reach lifestyles. In the future, instead of wanting to be Kim K, Taylor Swift, or even Mr. Beast, we’ll want to be famous among friends.

The implications of this are just starting to percolate. What happens when there’s a lot more influential voices in the ecosystem of influence? How will Hollywood adjust its current strategy of repeatedly spotlighting the same cast of actors? We’ve already seen the bottoms-up movement of YouTubers like Lilly Singh, Liza Koshy, and Logan Paul appearing in movies—I wonder what’s next.

See: Subscriber-only newsletters, I might be wrong about this for other countries

👊 The Artist, the Entrepreneur, and the Athlete converge

Athletes know that their physical performance has a short window so they hedge their career by starting brands and making investments. Artists, creators, and creatives seek freedom through entrepreneurship. Founders increasingly show they value distribution by building audiences and sharing their journey to attract customers, employees, and investors.

Some supporting evidence:

• The NCAA allowing college athletes to get paid for their name has led to many college athletes building audiences and getting brand deals. Given how few athletes actually go pro, being a creator has emerged as a viable alternative path.

• Tech founders and VCs worshipping Bryan Johnson and Andrew Huberman and treating their bodies (and minds) as temples

• Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Jake Paul, Ryan Reynolds, and The Chainsmokers starting their own venture firms

• Founders like John Hu of Stan documenting their startup journey

• Zuck getting into jiu jitsu and going on podcasts to show that he’s human

Technology

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⌚︎ Apple Watch + AirPods replaces the smartphone

As phones grow larger and our schedules busier, I find myself fighting to maintain a healthy digital footprint. I’ve tried everything. Despite trying various tactics like using Freedom for app blocking and setting phone automations, I prefer a smaller device like my iPhone 13 Mini, even if the iPhone 15 Pro Max were the same price.

At the gym, my phone is effectively an iPod. With an Apple Watch, I wouldn't need to bring my phone. Its smaller screen is the point - it can handle health tracking, navigation, and music, without the constant digital bombardment of a smartphone.

While some AI-powered accessories aim to replace phones, like pins and pendants, they haven't gained much traction. The real breakthrough may occur when AI seamlessly integrates into hardware, like an Apple Watch, enabling intelligent prediction, routing, and execution voice-based commands.

See: Humane, Rabbit, Limitless, I Replaced My iPhone with an Apple Watch Ultra 2

🎧 Less screen time before the “Big Screen”

Before VR (which is really just a huge screen) becomes widely adopted, we’ll see a shift towards less screen time. Currently, we rely heavily on devices for digital tasks, but there are better alternatives, in both directions. For instance, Apple Vision Pro allows for IMAX-like movie experiences during flights. But what I'm more interested in exploring is replacing screen time with audio formats, like opting for phone calls over Zoom for virtual meetings.

Despite concerns about background noise, using AirPods' voice isolation microphone setting enables distraction-free conversations even in noisy environments like the streets of NYC. These walk-and-talk meetings offer benefits like fresh air, improved circulation, and reduced eye strain, making them more productive than Zoom calls. As audio hardware and software improves with better voice assistance and gesture controls, I expect to keep doing screen-free meetings.

See: Paul Graham on this topic

📱 Kale and cocaine devices get productized

Smartphones have become a double-edged sword. They're the gateway to both productivity and doomscrolling. The same device gives us the magic of instant communication, but also siphons our attention like a bloodthirsty leech.

I predict purpose-driven devices emerging - the "kale phone" for focused work vs. the "cocaine phone" for dopamine cravings. While this bifurcation of the smartphone will likely not go mainstream, it could appeal to remote workers who are always online. Like Arc, a new way of browsing the internet, specialized operating systems that switch between work and leisure modes will emerge.

From a hardware perspective, this evolution follows the Kindle, and extends to use cases beyond reading. Despite the spicy analogy, intentionally designed devices offer a genuine opportunity to regain control over our digital lives and enable intentional behaviors.

See: Daylight Computer, Mythic Computer, Remarkable, original George Mack tweet

🕹️ Reality Privilege becomes reality

In the future, a stark divide will emerge between those with "Reality Privilege" and those without. As Marc Andreesen puts it, “A small percent of people live in a real-world environment that is rich, even overflowing, with glorious substance, beautiful settings, plentiful stimulation, and many fascinating people to talk to, and to work with, and to date. Everyone else, the vast majority of humanity, lacks Reality Privilege -- their online world is, or will be, immeasurably richer and more fulfilling than most of the physical and social environment around them in the quote-unquote real world.”

The wealthy will migrate to places with natural beauty, temperate weather, and access to modern amenities like two-day delivery and fresh groceries, escaping climate change. They’ll continue to choose to live near mountains, lakes, forests, beaches, and rivers. Not everyone will get that choice. The poor will be relegated to destitute areas devoid of comforts and charms. They might find themselves dwelling in desolate expanses, food deserts, and bland cultures. Digital realms will offer solace to the less fortunate.

This reality gap will only widen as technological advancements outpace improvements in the physical world. Simply put, VR and video games are going to improve while the real world suffers from climate change. While the rich enjoy the sun, the less resourced will turn to digital worlds to escape mundane realities.

See: Ready Player One, Roblox, The Dubrovnik Interviews: Marc Andreessen, Universe 25 experiment on rodents

Education

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📚 Online Learning, Offline Playing

Since the pandemic four years ago, remote work’s ripple effects on remote learning are still playing out. It’s obvious that children suffered when they couldn’t play with their friends. But with COVID restrictions lifted, why return to the same education system? Reflecting on my own high school experience, with classes from 7:20am until 2:05pm, I can't help but question the rigid structures that led to sleep deprivation and excessive free time.

The current system is breaking down with school absences ballooning by 60% since 2019, from 15% to 26%. Amidst traditional education’s decline, I wonder: just how much schooling does a child truly need? With remote learning and AI teachers in the near future, a paradigm shift is imminent. One that leverages technology for online learning while appreciating the vital role of real world playtime, including all the nosebleeds, boogers, and cooties.

Imagine children could engage with AI tutors for focused learning sessions, freeing up precious time for unstructured play. This approach not only fosters autonomy - it also challenges norms of forcing kids to stay seated all day, learning the same subjects at the same pace as everyone else. Just to be clear, this doesn’t mean more screen time for children; instead, the traditional "learning" period may be compressed to just 2-3 hours a day.

A new school format will be created and might just look like a playground on steroids. These less structured spaces would be more childcare than school. Instead of listening to the teacher lecture, holistic development would be welcomed through immersive activities like sports, dance, arts & crafts, music, and essential life skills like cooking and cleaning.

This format combines the flexibility of online learning with the power of AI teaching, while still preserving the irreplaceable depth of in-person interaction. I’m looking forward to the possible future where learning takes place outside the confines of physical classrooms, but kids still experience the vital aspects of fighting over toys, sharing snacks, and asking another kid to be their boy/girlfriend at age 5.

See: Mentava, Recess, Synthesis

🏫 Continuous learning: MOOCs to CBCs

While massive online open courses (MOOCs) have democratized access to education, their limitations are apparent. MOOCs are essentially self-paced YouTube videos with limited interactions, lacking live instruction and peer interaction. Unlike MOOCs, cohort-based courses (CBCs) provide dynamic feedback within a supportive community. This trend is picking up steam in part due to the exorbitant costs and limited learning of MBA programs. Also, content creators are seeking alternative revenue streams beyond the current playbook of audience-building and brand deals. As AI-generated content and short-form video dominate, real connections between creators and fans will gain value. This trend will only accelerate as traditional 4-year colleges decline and career transitions become more common.

See: Maven, Circle, Write of Passage, Art of Accomplishment, Nervous System Mastery, AltMBA

Wrapping Up

If you made it this far - major props to you. By now, you’ve read a lot of words from me, and now I’d love to hear from you. Which predictions did you resonate the most with? What do you disagree with? And what predictions for the future do you have? I’d love to know in the comments section.

Also, shoutout to Aish, Jake, and Kiera for reviewing earlier versions of this.

Lastly, if you’re feeling lost, burnt out, or just curious to learn more about my coaching practice, feel free to reach out! More stuff is on the way :)