Seconding that as a software engineer. Even just "harmonizing" external vs. internal naming and current vs legacy naming can clear up a lot of confusion, avoid meetings, and generally make interactions more efficient and pleasant. Conversely, having three different terms that largely refer to the same thing, yet each with their own nuances, can result in ongoing tedious discussions and recurring misunderstandings.
In terms of the more general consideration, particularly on "agency", I do think the discourse can be influenced by rebranding of existing concepts. Eg, in the mid 2010's, there was a similar concept of "ownership", particularly people taking ownership of their professional responsibility and their careers. This may even relate to the earlier concept of "out of the box thinking" where people shouldn't feel confined to the traditional definition of their role and responsibilities.
So while I do like the recent focus on "agency", particularly with respect to Gen AI, we may just be revisiting well-known concepts with slightly different branding.
I really liked your post! In addition to the part about permission, I think that people just feel comfortable when being told what to do, and in recent years, as we're being constantly monitored and on call, we always behave—whether it's the fear of being canceled or being chained to your phone on vacation to avoid pissing off your boss. And then, we saw a rise of politicians—in the US, it's the Trump posse, of course—that just takes advantage of their "agency"; they don't play by the rules, and they don't do what they're "supposed" to do. I mean, most people accept reality as it is—I have a smartphone, so I must be available; I have a job, so I have to show up; I was invited to a party, so I have to go; I have body hair, so I have to shave it, etc. People are now, again, TOLD that they don't HAVE to do those things. They can get a flip phone, they can quit their job, they can bail on the party, and they can grow out their body hair. There will be consequences, but the world will keep turning, and the sun will most likely rise again. It's kind of silly. Also maybe a response to the wave of incompetence and self-pity people, at least online, have been on since the pandemic.
Every time I see a person with a flip phone in the wild, I consider it nonstop for a week but have yet to follow through... I can't believe Twitter was the key to your phone addiction! Every time I go on there, it feels like exposure therapy to the worst possible version of the world. I keep it for unhinged commentary on current events and local politics, though. For me, it's TikTok; maybe it's a generational gap. I put a timer on all of my social media apps, but I use my agency to alter it more often than I'd like to admit... is anyone around you using a flip phone? I mean, you do live in Brooklyn, so there are a lot of hasidic jews around, but did anyone in your circle give up their smart phone?
haha yeah for some reason short form video does not grab me! But short form text i find very easy to get sucked into. Substack notes is increasingly addicitive for me. I have also benefited from turning my phone to greyscale, that helps
None of my friends have given up their smartphone. But it's moving that direction
I see the concept of agency as a limiting factor. As in, what do i really have agency over? Cue the Serenity Prayer. I also think of agency as responsibility. I'm at a stage of life where responsibilities find me so I have an aversion to go looking fro them.
i agree, i certainly try to limit the things i need to take responsibility for, and the concept of agency can be overwhelming (and it often feels easier to me to abdicate it to someone else)!
It definitely seems inherently tied to faith and religion, and what you view as the animating force in your life. This is tangential but you might like it -- i have enjoyed seeing clips of great songwriters talk about how it feels to have a song "be given to them," like this one of leonard cohen -- https://x.com/DylanoA4/status/1850202519240147242
on the topic of the serenity prayer / surrender: i think surrender and high agency are partners in crime, rather than opposed.
to surrender, you have to trust in "the universe" AND be willing to bet on yourself.
it's like an alley-oop.
you're trusting that the universe is going to set you up, but you're also confident in your ability to lay down the dunk when the opportunity presents itself.
I think some credit is also due to Cate Hall, whose essay 'How to be more Agentic' was wildly successful and helped popularise the notion of agency for personal development: https://substack.com/@usefulfictions/p-140561314
"this combines with the fact that lots of institutions which have historically granted people permission to do things (universities, governments, media) are decaying in prestige, and people are recognizing that they may not need permission from them to get what they want out of life."
"Agency" is complicated. It also means taking responsibility for compromising, for deciding which battles are worth fighting and devoting limited resources to, and even for choosing which leaders to then obey.
One of the most impactful things I learned as a product manager over the years is the power of naming things effectively
Seconding that as a software engineer. Even just "harmonizing" external vs. internal naming and current vs legacy naming can clear up a lot of confusion, avoid meetings, and generally make interactions more efficient and pleasant. Conversely, having three different terms that largely refer to the same thing, yet each with their own nuances, can result in ongoing tedious discussions and recurring misunderstandings.
In terms of the more general consideration, particularly on "agency", I do think the discourse can be influenced by rebranding of existing concepts. Eg, in the mid 2010's, there was a similar concept of "ownership", particularly people taking ownership of their professional responsibility and their careers. This may even relate to the earlier concept of "out of the box thinking" where people shouldn't feel confined to the traditional definition of their role and responsibilities.
So while I do like the recent focus on "agency", particularly with respect to Gen AI, we may just be revisiting well-known concepts with slightly different branding.
Yeah i underestimate this
I really liked your post! In addition to the part about permission, I think that people just feel comfortable when being told what to do, and in recent years, as we're being constantly monitored and on call, we always behave—whether it's the fear of being canceled or being chained to your phone on vacation to avoid pissing off your boss. And then, we saw a rise of politicians—in the US, it's the Trump posse, of course—that just takes advantage of their "agency"; they don't play by the rules, and they don't do what they're "supposed" to do. I mean, most people accept reality as it is—I have a smartphone, so I must be available; I have a job, so I have to show up; I was invited to a party, so I have to go; I have body hair, so I have to shave it, etc. People are now, again, TOLD that they don't HAVE to do those things. They can get a flip phone, they can quit their job, they can bail on the party, and they can grow out their body hair. There will be consequences, but the world will keep turning, and the sun will most likely rise again. It's kind of silly. Also maybe a response to the wave of incompetence and self-pity people, at least online, have been on since the pandemic.
Thanks for the thoughts! Totally agree... i think the high-profile examples of people not playing by the rules are a big factor
Do you have a flip phone or are you considering it? I've thought about it, although since i deleted twitter my phone addiction isn't so bad anymore
Every time I see a person with a flip phone in the wild, I consider it nonstop for a week but have yet to follow through... I can't believe Twitter was the key to your phone addiction! Every time I go on there, it feels like exposure therapy to the worst possible version of the world. I keep it for unhinged commentary on current events and local politics, though. For me, it's TikTok; maybe it's a generational gap. I put a timer on all of my social media apps, but I use my agency to alter it more often than I'd like to admit... is anyone around you using a flip phone? I mean, you do live in Brooklyn, so there are a lot of hasidic jews around, but did anyone in your circle give up their smart phone?
haha yeah for some reason short form video does not grab me! But short form text i find very easy to get sucked into. Substack notes is increasingly addicitive for me. I have also benefited from turning my phone to greyscale, that helps
None of my friends have given up their smartphone. But it's moving that direction
Good discussion.
I see the concept of agency as a limiting factor. As in, what do i really have agency over? Cue the Serenity Prayer. I also think of agency as responsibility. I'm at a stage of life where responsibilities find me so I have an aversion to go looking fro them.
i agree, i certainly try to limit the things i need to take responsibility for, and the concept of agency can be overwhelming (and it often feels easier to me to abdicate it to someone else)!
It definitely seems inherently tied to faith and religion, and what you view as the animating force in your life. This is tangential but you might like it -- i have enjoyed seeing clips of great songwriters talk about how it feels to have a song "be given to them," like this one of leonard cohen -- https://x.com/DylanoA4/status/1850202519240147242
Songwriters amaze me. Thanks for the clip, Joe.
on the topic of the serenity prayer / surrender: i think surrender and high agency are partners in crime, rather than opposed.
to surrender, you have to trust in "the universe" AND be willing to bet on yourself.
it's like an alley-oop.
you're trusting that the universe is going to set you up, but you're also confident in your ability to lay down the dunk when the opportunity presents itself.
universe 🤝 high agency-you = positive outcome.
more thoughts on it here (joe, please forgive me for threadjacking): https://joyarbitrage.substack.com/p/surrendering-with-steez
Threadjacking! A new term for me and one I live!
I think some credit is also due to Cate Hall, whose essay 'How to be more Agentic' was wildly successful and helped popularise the notion of agency for personal development: https://substack.com/@usefulfictions/p-140561314
good call!
Wow love this. It’s the new rebrand of being contrarian
exactly in that vein haha
There are in fact multiple books being authored by Twitter personalities alone about agency
Haha. The 2010s was the Habit decade, 2020s are the Agency decade... we'll see if people are still writing books in the 2030s
this insight is so good:
"this combines with the fact that lots of institutions which have historically granted people permission to do things (universities, governments, media) are decaying in prestige, and people are recognizing that they may not need permission from them to get what they want out of life."
has been a fairly big change for me! and i think i'm still relatively institution-pilled compared to many haha
request for start-up: fat camp but for those that are institution-pilled.
Thank you for a post that has many synchronicities with what I'm pondering right now.
If you're not ready to write the book, at least grab the URL!
i'm glad :)
ooh good call i really need to be snapping up URLs more but i am holding out hope for a rogue book agent to reach out haha
https://substack.com/@lisadimona was my book agent. She's the best :)
Ah cool! I did not know you wrote a book! Would love to hear about that experience some time
"Agency" is complicated. It also means taking responsibility for compromising, for deciding which battles are worth fighting and devoting limited resources to, and even for choosing which leaders to then obey.
Yes, there is a meta level to it of choosing the correct places to focus that seems at least as important as how you apply that focus
Agency was the cruellest invention by the designers of the simulation 😉
My apologies for confining the title to humans here! Certainly applies to our more advanced rodents as well