Our beliefs leave an indelible mark on how we interact with others and our environment. Even when those beliefs aren't conscious. 

Beliefs about quality of life are a whole other can of worms. Who gets to decide the relative quality of a life? Or what lives are worth living? And how do our beliefs about quality of life and worthiness impact the way interact with others and the way we treat ourselves?

In this episode, I reflect on how my beliefs about quality of life were influenced by my favorite Star Trek character, Data. I discuss technoableism, narratives of overcoming, and the unnecessary self-judgment we can put ourselves through on the path to becoming like everyone else.

Footnotes:

• Rethink Work: An 8-week cohort-based course
• Star Trek: Nemesis
• Against Technoableism by Ashley Shew
• "Valuing Disability, Causing Disability" by Elizabeth Barnes
• More on "narratives of overcoming" in my book, What Works

If you're a sci-fi nerd like me, check out my limited podcast, Strange New Work, wherever you listen to podcasts!

All new episodes of What Works are available in written essay form at whatworks.fyi

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If you’re questioning your relationship to work but finding it difficult to make lasting changes, I’d love to help.

I’m committed to helping you confront and deconstruct big assumptions that compete with your good intentions. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in my new 8-week cohort-based course, Rethink Work.

We’ll examine the beliefs, stories, and systems that keep us hustling—even when it hurts—so you can make changes that last and create a more sustainable approach to work.

• (00:00) - My Nemesis