Episode 28: Alisdair Gurling

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!QuestionsJN: 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 luckyTo be diagnosed at this timeIn the past it would have been tougherIn-depth discoveryFamily was proactiveSiblings 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: singularityDigital prostheticsAlternate learning strategiesbrute forcingSpend 4hrs readingLeapfrog the problemSpeech-to-text instead of handwritingListen to audiobooks instead of readingSpeechifyJoey uses @VoiceEmphasizing: Literate vs literaryLearning designJN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?ReadingInitially struggled to readBeing able to read (at 8-10) was startlingMainly listens to audiobooksWide varietyPhilosophyPublic speakingGood 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 worldGo to Yoga studio (body doubling) - 1hrNice and calmingClassPassEncourages trying itFind a studio that fits the vibe.JN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?Body double with colleaguesTries a bunch of different strategiesBut make sure it’s worth the jump (e.g. the learning curve).LeapfroggingNotion - locks in thoughts.Speech-to-text (otter).AllowsSearchability (later)Presence (in the moment)Purpose-built AI notetaking devices (Not used yet)Text-to-speech.Understand what’s pulling you out of your workServices that sync your music with your heart rate - https://endel.io/And solve each problem until you get well-focused.Brain FMCOMMERCIAL BREAKJC: 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 newsFollowing news in three countries (UK, US, AU).Often negative, problems without solutions.Future CrunchJN: How do you switch off at night?Morning routine + evening routine are tightly linked - one big blockMix it upAfter dinnerGoes for a walkHelps to unpack ideas.Seals the dayNo more external inputJust introspectionJC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, academic theories, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?Mediterranean dietSpeechifyEndol - procedural musicInternal vs external locus of control (internal is better)Don’t use ADHD diagnosis as a limiting beliefUse novelty seeking wiselySpectrum vs binaryMixture of Purpose is best for motivationSkill/masteryCuriosityCommunityObligationJN: 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?Avoid absolutes - sit in the nuanceJoey’s creativity coursehttps://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course