Welcome to episode #28 We’re thrilled to be joined by Alisdair Gurling today.
Alisdair is a PhD candidate at Monash University’s Emerging Technologies Research Lab where he investigates personalized assistive technology to help neurodivergent students. Outside his research, Alisdair works as a learning designer for Nextia designing assistive technology for people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other conditions. A man of many talents, he also does freelance web design.
Welcome to the show Alisdair!
Questions
JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
Feels lucky
To be diagnosed at this time
In the past it would have been tougher
In-depth discovery
Family was proactive
Siblings had learning difficulties.
How to best adapt the differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent.
Was the only kid
with a laptop.
One of the first kids in the UK to be able to speak their exam (speech to text)
Good timing.
JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
Research into strategies for personalizing assistive technology for neurodivergent people
Extending consciousness into technology: singularity
Digital prosthetics
Alternate learning strategies
brute forcing
Spend 4hrs reading
Leapfrog the problem
Speech-to-text instead of handwriting
Listen to audiobooks instead of reading
Speechify
Joey uses @Voice
Emphasizing: Literate vs literary
Learning design
JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Reading
Initially struggled to read
Being able to read (at 8-10) was startling
Mainly listens to audiobooks
Wide variety
Philosophy
Public speaking
Good for advocating for himself.
JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
No tech that interfaces with the outside world
Go to Yoga studio (body doubling) - 1hr
Nice and calming
ClassPass
Encourages trying it
Find a studio that fits the vibe.
JN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
Body double with colleagues
Tries a bunch of different strategies
But make sure it’s worth the jump (e.g. the learning curve).
Leapfrogging
Notion - locks in thoughts.
Speech-to-text (otter).
Allows
Searchability (later)
Presence (in the moment)
Purpose-built AI notetaking devices (Not used yet)
Text-to-speech.
Understand what’s pulling you out of your work
Services that sync your music with your heart rate - https://endel.io/
And solve each problem until you get well-focused.
Brain FM
COMMERCIAL BREAK
JC: What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
Consuming so much news
Following news in three countries (UK, US, AU).
Often negative, problems without solutions.
Future Crunch
JN: How do you switch off at night?
Morning routine + evening routine are tightly linked - one big block
Mix it up
After dinner
Goes for a walk
Helps to unpack ideas.
Seals the day
No more external input
Just introspection
JC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, academic theories, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
Mediterranean diet
Speechify
Endol - procedural music
Internal vs external locus of control (internal is better)
Don’t use ADHD diagnosis as a limiting belief
Use novelty seeking wisely
Spectrum vs binary
Mixture of Purpose is best for motivation
Skill/mastery
Curiosity
Community
Obligation
JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
https://www.alisdairgurling.com/
JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
Episode 28