Your Clothes Use More Water Than Your AI
The environmental case against AI doesn't survive contact with the data
Megan Holstein
Essays on productivity, technology, and living well.
Latest posts
Apps Will Soon be Replaced by AI
The first new computing interface in sixty years doesn't need them.
AI Is Building the Biggest Porn Machine in History
The industry that monetizes child rape videos just got mechanized production
A Jury Concluded Meta Built Instagram to be Addictive to Children
The KGM case is the first of sixteen hundred, and it won a decisive legal victory
AI Will Transform the Economy, but the Safety Net Isn't Ready
AI will cure diseases and end drudge work, but the transition is going to hurt
Even a Single AI Chat Makes People Less Willing to Apologize, Says New Study
A study of 2,400 people confirms what I found out the hard way
On Writing Stories with Machines
Notes from an AI engineer and former full-time writer
Using AI Chat for Personal Support Is Dangerous
Why your personal support should come from books, people, or anywhere other than a chat thread
How to Build a Custom Website with AI — No Coding Required
Turn your ideas into a website without writing a single line of code (by letting AI do it for you)
Breaking Free from the Cult of Productivity Tools
How dashboards can distract you from real work
How AI is Transforming the Future of Copywriting
Most writers misunderstand how AI will affect their careers
The Hidden Costs of Hobbies and Side Projects
How your hobbies and projects may be keeping you from achieving your dreams
Why You Need Less Stuff Than You Think to Be Happy
“When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can…
I Deleted My Social Media Over Five Years Ago
Destroying my accounts was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made
Why Building an Online Business Full-Time Might Make You Miserable
And how getting a regular job could make you happier than you ever thought possible
How to Wake Up Bright and Early Every Day Without Feeling Exhausted
You can wake up early for your morning routine without an alarm clock
How Social Media Gaslights You Into Ruining Your Mental Health
Social media tricks you into thinking it’s helping you cope when it’s actually what’s causing your problems
How Quitting Professional Blogging Radically Improved My Life
Running my own passive income online business was my fondest dream for my entire life. I mean my entire life — I remember being in second…
How Seeing the World Without Bias Can Help You Succeed in Business and Life
Stop letting your subconscious opinions distort your perception
Why Modern Writers Need to Embrace AI-Assisted Writing
Only writers who master this new technology will survive
Minimalism is More Than a Trend. It’s a Path to Personal & Social Transformation.
Unlock the power of minimalism for true personal growth
I Quit Pro Blogging Because I Did Not Want to Be a Product Anymore
Your hobbies don’t need to earn money. You are not a product.
Banning Guns In the US Won’t Fix Anything
As someone who’s interested in solid statistical research and clear critical thinking, I’ve found gun rights to be one of the most…
Why Hard Work Isn’t a Good Thing
The proper purpose of work is to get stuff done, not virtue signal about what good people we are
Why I’m Giving Up on Anti-Consumerism
For the last few years, I’ve been avidly anti-consumerist. All my clothes have been purchased from thrift shops or low-cost secondhand…
Why I’m Not a Full-Time Medium Writer Anymore
Full-time Medium writing wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I’ve Changed My Name to Sam Holstein
This is a brief announcement that I’ve changed my name from Megan Holstein to Sam Holstein. If you see articles by “Sam Holstein” crossing…
How Daily Habit Tracking Can Give You the Ability to Achieve Anything
Habit tracking can change your life if you do it right.
The First Step to Finding Happiness Is Being Willing to Change Yourself
You can build an amazing life, but you have to be willing to start
How to Stay Focused and Highly Productive Under Any Circumstances
You can stay productive in a chaotic environment
How to Make Your Phone a Crazy Useful Productivity Tool In 5 Easy Steps
Your phone can only distract you if you let it
Why All Entrepreneurs and Academics Should Read Range by David Epstein
Why the 10,000-hour rule is wrong, why Nobel prize winners are always multidisciplinary, and why outsiders create the wildest breakthroughs
What My Minimalist Phone Looks Like In 2022
How I protect myself from the dangers of the ad-driven internet.
How to Protect Your Mind From All the Junk Content on the Internet
Use the internet to get smarter, not more stupid
How to Train Your Subconscious Mind So You Have Amazing Gut Instincts
Trusting your gut only works if you have good instincts
How Accomplishment Journaling Can Make You Happier and More Confident
Stop thanking the universe and start thanking yourself.
Why You Should Stop Worrying About How Your “Writing Career” Is Going
Stop worrying about your writing and start writing
Why the Last 2 Years Have Been Some of the Best in Human History
Most people throughout history suffered far worse
How a Lazy Attitude Can Make You Incredibly Successful
Many world-changing companies are started by people looking for an easier way
“Come As You Are” by Ph.D. Emily Nagoski Can Cure Your Struggles with Sexuality
This eye-opening book busts old myths and teaches readers a new way of understanding sexuality
New Cutting-Edge Highly Humanoid Robots Make Science Fiction a Reality
Hyper-realistic humanoid robot “Ameca” accurately depicts human behavior in every way
The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence for Writers
A complete review of the best AI-powered copywriting tools on the market
How Helping Employees Get Good Sleep Makes Your Business Better
Respecting the humanity of your employees is both profitable and the right thing to do
The 1% Content Strategy: How to Achieve Your Goals by Ignoring 99% of Content on the Internet
Your results in life are a direct result of what you choose to consume
Why You Should Give Up Astrology, Crystal Work, and Reading Tarot Cards
New-age spirituality distracts you from finding real solutions for your problems and keep you stuck in life
“The First World War” by Michael Howard Demystifies an Extremely Complicated Historical Topic
This 100-page mini-book has everything an average person needs to know
You Shouldn’t Give a Fuck About What Other People Find Impressive
Your greatest victories won’t be celebrated by cheering masses
How I Wake Up Happy & Full of Energy Every Morning at 7 AM Without an Alarm
And how you can do it, too.
How to Clear Out the Clutter in Your Life and Make Room to Transform
Clutter is a burden that holds you back from being happy.
How to Get Reviews for Your Kindle Book Using a Small Mailing List
You don’t need many subscribers to get enough Kindle reviews