Dear Friend,

For the last 10-years I’ve been living in a career-bubble.

Somewhere along the way, my friends became more and more related to what I did for work. And although it’s liberating to find others who like to nerd out about the same stuff, I realise it’s also made my world a little smaller.

Recently, my son turned three and now I’m making friends with people I have nothing in common with other than our children go to the same school or park. Once again I’m confronted with alternative ways of thinking and living, and finding myself disagreeing more. It’s been uncomfortable and I had definitely gotten rusty at speaking at length with people outside of tech. But it has been wonderful too.

It has strengthened my empathy muscles, learning how other parents are getting through their week as nurses, bakers, scientists and politicians. And it’s forced me to talk about my work and views with those who may not necessarily understand or agree.

In a time of social algorithms, it’s comforting to be reminded how much more interesting the world is when you step out of your bubble.