Below the Surface

Dive 114: Why you need to avoid the AI companionship trap

Are AI chatbots true friends or just persuasive tools? Discover why risk-free companionship weakens us. Learn to use AI without losing yourself.

Sep 9 • 

Alvin

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August 2025

Dive 113: Why Critical Thinking takes Courage

Learn how 3 simple critical thinking techniques expose the flaws in “safe” solutions like speed cameras. And why critical thinking takes guts.

Aug 26 • 

Alvin

1

Dive 112: What people get wrong about healing

Explore why escapism isn't healing, and how real self-care means building a life you don’t want to escape through meaning, service, and struggle.

Aug 12 • 

Alvin

3

July 2025

Dive 111: How Platforms Shape People

How digital platforms like Substack shape our behavior. And what it means for building strong, lasting connections and thriving communities.

Jul 29 • 

Alvin

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Dive 110: The key to Gratitude? Restraint.

Discover why practicing restraint can make your emotions, words, and pleasures more powerful and meaningful.

Jul 15 • 

Alvin

1

June 2025

Dive 109: When Activism Becomes a Grift

Modern activism promises change but profits few. Learn about the Activism Industrial Complex and what genuine advocacy looks like. Learn to protect your…

Jun 17 • 

Alvin

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Dive 108: How to end envy the healthy way

How do you not covet what others have? Build a Personal Lighthouse. More than a north star, it's a detailed vision of what you value most. Here's how it…

Jun 3 • 

Alvin

2

May 2025

Dive 107: How Thoughtful Developers are really using AI

Is AI the end of software developers or just the beginning of better software? Here's how the best devs use it.

May 20 • 

Alvin

1

Dive 106: Should you Hunt or Gather?

Two distinct strategies to get what you want: hunt or gather. Success depends on the tactic you choose. Here's what they are, why it matters, and how to…

May 6 • 

Alvin

2

April 2025

Dive 105: The Greatest Leaders are Critical Readers

The greatest leaders have goals greater than what's directly in front of them day-to-day. They have a passion for life, the world, and people in it…

Apr 22 • 

Alvin

Dive 104: A good mentor is not a chauffeur

The best mentors let you drive. They let you take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. For the student, it means taking responsibility for freedom…

Apr 8 • 

Alvin

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March 2025

Dive 103: Agency in the Age of AI

How do you keep control of your life and gain personal agency? Focus on what matters most to you. And build (rather than replace) your skills with tech…

Mar 25 • 

Alvin