Is self-optimization self-destructive?

Workplace productivity apps like Slack, Notion, and Trello are encroaching on our personal lives. According to a trending article in San Francisco Standard, new apps specifically for couples and families, like Lovewick and Coexist, are gaining traction in Silicon Valley. These tools promise to balance domestic labour by optimizing everything from your chores to your #couplegoals. But is life a project that needs to be perfectly managed? Could there really be an app for that?

Our guest, Oliver Burkeman is best known as the author of the weekly self-help column “This Column Will Change Your Life” for The Guardian. In this episode, we speak with him about the rise of productivity apps in our personal lives, whether technology can divorce-proof a marriage and what we might be missing when our relationships are too optimized. Oliver’s new book is Meditations for Mortals. He is also the author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. His newsletter, “The Imperfectionist,” is about productivity, mortality, and building a meaningful life in an age of bewilderment. 

Also, Vass and Katrina discuss Vass’ greatest organizational tool: her new pencil case.

This is Lately. Every week, we take a deep dive into the big, defining trends in business and tech that are reshaping our every day.

Our executive producer is Katrina Onstad. The show is produced by Andrea Varsany. Our sound designer is Cameron McIver.

Subscribe to the Lately newsletter, where we unpack more of the latest in business and technology.

Find the transcript of today’s episode here.

We’d love to hear from you. Send your comments, questions or ideas to [email protected].