Featured essays

Protest and politics

Why are people still protesting lockdowns and COVID vaccines in 2026? In this essay, I argue that when power shifts into invisible systems, we double down on our anger against the things we can see.

Why people still protest Jacinda Ardern

What happens when our lives are shaped by systems we can’t vote out

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Leading through mistrust

We used to trust the government, the media, and science. In a world of social isolation and disinformation, who do we trust? And how can you lead in this environment? Check out essays on The Subjective Era.

The Subjective Era - Alicia McKay

We have lost trust in government, science, and the media. What happens after the reign of rationalism?

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Social trends

Make sense of a changing world.

2026: The State of It

Bullshit is up, accountability is down. Here are three trends to watch and three skills to master.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

The Ambition Recession - Alicia McKay

Ambition is declining - but not everywhere, and not for everyone. Read more in this series on the state of ambition.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

My take on AI

I go behind the curtain of the AI hype machine and find out what you should know.

What the AI bros won’t tell you

Better conversations for boring conferences

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

How AI will enshittify - and what you can do about it.

The value added by any technology product tends to erode. In the absence of regulation, here’s a practical resistance strategy to protect yourself.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Living with technology

In a world of scrolling, automation and relentless optimisation, how do we remain the authors of our own lives?

Scrolling is the new smoking

Tech giants have copied Big Tobacco’s playbook - and it works.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Choose meaningful friction

The value of difficulty that expands you.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Double down on thinking

The future belongs to the thinkers. Stay sovereign and build trust in your own judgement.

Cognitive sovereignty

Defend your mental territory

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Let ’em cook: the looming crisis of human judgment

Stop before you Google that recipe

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Tell better stories

Stay sharp to idea technology, challenge the norm, and dig deep on your opinions and beliefs.

From custom to conscience: calling bullshit on old thinking

Premarital sex, power literacy, chocolate cake: in. Class structures, outdated morality, fruit cake: out.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Opinions are like assholes

An enema for your thoughts

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

The skills you need now

Worried about the future of your job? Not sure what to work on? Check out these articles on power literacy and systems thinking.

Critical thinking is not enough. It’s time you learned about power.

Numbers and words are cool, but we have calculators and ChatGPT now. What you need is POWER LITERACY.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Shifting into systems thinking

Still blaming people? It’s time to level up.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

For when it feels like you can’t change anything

Everything is connected. Once you see it, you can shift it.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay

Staying sane in the public sector

Leading in the public sector is a big ask. If you've ever felt like you're in an impossible job, this one's for you.

The irreconcilable tensions of public leadership

Embrace the frustration: the system is working as designed.

Alicia McKayAlicia McKay