Battling Burnout
Uncanny Valley | WIRED9 Loka 2020

Battling Burnout

Trying to be a functional human being in 2020 can feel exhausting. Our devices send us constant notifications, social media demands all our attention, and even simple daily tasks start to feel Sisyphean when they pile up. In many ways, the same technology that was supposed to make our lives easier and more efficient has led to a mental health crisis that shows no signs of abating: widespread burnout.

This week on Gadget Lab, we talk with Anne Helen Petersen, author of the book Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation, about the ways that tech has driven many people to the breaking point. Also, we've got some tips on how to prevent burnout and cut yourself some slack.

Show Notes:

You can find Anne Helen Petersen’s book here and read an excerpt about how work became an inescapable hellhole in WIRED here. Subscribe to Anne’s newsletter here.

Recommendations:

Anne recommends the show Pen15 on Hulu. Lauren recommends WIRED’s 2020 election coverage, in particular this story about the battle over voting machines in Texas. Mike recommends practicing Qigong to help your peace of mind, starting with this video teaching Qigong for beginners.

Anne Helen Petersen can be found on Twitter @annehelen. Lauren Goode is @LaurenGoode. Michael Calore is @snackfight. Bling the main hotline at @GadgetLab. The show is produced by Boone Ashworth (@booneashworth). Our executive producer is Alex Kapelman (@alexkapelman). Our theme music is by Solar Keys.

If you have feedback about the show, or just want to enter to win a $50 gift card, take our brief listener survey here.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jaksot(426)

BIG INTV: Joe Weisenthal Has Predictions About How the AI Bubble Will Burst

BIG INTV: Joe Weisenthal Has Predictions About How the AI Bubble Will Burst

Right now much of the US economy rests on AI’s future. In fact, Odd Lots cohost Joe Weisenthal says the rest of the economy that isn't tech or AI related is creaking along. He breaks down for Katie wh...

18 Marras 202541min

WIRED Roundup: AI Romantic Affairs; Google Sues Text Scammers; DHS’s Privacy Breach

WIRED Roundup: AI Romantic Affairs; Google Sues Text Scammers; DHS’s Privacy Breach

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Brian Barrett to discuss five stories you need to know about this week — from how AI affairs can now be grounds for divorce, to why Google is suing one of ...

14 Marras 202523min

In Alex Karp’s World, Palantir Is the Underdog

In Alex Karp’s World, Palantir Is the Underdog

Recently, WIRED’s editor at large Steven Levy sat down for an interview with Palantir’s CEO Alex Karp. Karp defended his company’s contracts with clients like ICE and the Israeli government, which hav...

13 Marras 202529min

BIG INTV: Open AI’s Former Safety Lead Calls Out Erotica Claims

BIG INTV: Open AI’s Former Safety Lead Calls Out Erotica Claims

Steven Adler used to lead product safety at OpenAI. When Katie read his recent op-ed asking OpenAI to prove that they have and continue to address safety issues, she knew she wanted to talk to him. Th...

11 Marras 202539min

WIRED Roundup: Zuckerberg’s Illegal School, Nepal’s Discord Revolution, Fandom in Politics

WIRED Roundup: Zuckerberg’s Illegal School, Nepal’s Discord Revolution, Fandom in Politics

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Leah Feiger to discuss the top stories you need to know about this week — from Zuckerberg’s illegal school to the repercussions behind the recent pardoning...

7 Marras 202521min

The Four Criteria for a Tech Bubble

The Four Criteria for a Tech Bubble

Chatter about an AI bubble has been everywhere lately, and top tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have doubled down on their AI investments for 2026. But how have analysts in the past acc...

6 Marras 202539min

BIG INTV: Kara Swisher Says Silicon Valley's Biggest Lie is That They Care About People

BIG INTV: Kara Swisher Says Silicon Valley's Biggest Lie is That They Care About People

Katie catches up with fellow journalist and podcast host, Kara Swisher to talk about interviewing arrogant pricks, the power of negging and who would play her in a movie.  And she tells Katie if she h...

4 Marras 202547min

WIRED Roundup: Grokipedia, Real Estate AI Videos, Alpha School

WIRED Roundup: Grokipedia, Real Estate AI Videos, Alpha School

In today’s episode, WIRED’s Brian Barrett is joined by Leah Feiger to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from the release of Grokipedia to real estate entering its AI slo...

31 Loka 202523min