The other day, in a crowded café, I watched a delivery rider scroll TikTok between orders. His bike leaned against the window, helmet still on, as he flicked through videos for ten, fifteen, twenty minutes. He wasn’t slacking. There just weren’t enough orders.
Around him, laptops glowed. A designer tweaking a logo. A copywriter waiting for client feedback. Two students half-working, half-chatting about ChatGPT “doing half their homework”.
Everyone was technically “on the clock”.
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Yet half the room seemed to be waiting: for an email, for an order, for the next task to exist.
That odd feeling hits when your tasks are finished but you are still expected to stay at work. It happens in those moments where the clock moves slowly and you find yourself staring at the screen. Your assignments are complete. Your emails are answered. The projects are done. Yet you remain at your desk because leaving early feels wrong. This situation creates an uncomfortable tension. You want to appear busy & productive. At the same time you know that pretending to work is exhausting. You refresh your inbox repeatedly. You organize files that need no organizing. You read articles that barely interest you. The problem is not laziness. You finished everything that needed finishing. The issue is a workplace culture that values presence over productivity. It measures your worth by hours spent rather than results achieved. Some people become experts at looking occupied. They develop elaborate strategies to seem engaged. They walk around with papers. They schedule unnecessary meetings. They type emails that could wait until tomorrow. Others struggle with the guilt of having nothing urgent to tackle. They wonder if they missed something important. They question whether they should volunteer for additional projects. They worry that colleagues will think they are not pulling their weight. This in-between state reveals a fundamental flaw in how many organizations operate. When you reward time instead of output you create incentives for inefficiency. Employees learn to stretch tasks longer than necessary. They avoid working too quickly because finishing early brings no benefit. The solution requires rethinking what productivity means. Results should matter more than hours logged. Flexibility should replace rigid schedules. Trust should override constant monitoring. Until that shift happens you will continue experiencing that strange limbo where being done does not mean you can leave.
A Nobel Prize-winning physicist claims that this moment represents our future on a planetary scale.
The strange alliance between Musk, Gates… and a Nobel physicist
When Elon Musk and Bill Gates predict we will have much more free time in the future it might sound like wishful thinking from billionaires. They describe sunny afternoons where everyone receives universal basic income and robots take care of tedious tasks while people focus on what truly matters to them. The vision seems appealing at first glance. Machines would handle repetitive work & humans would pursue creative projects or spend time with family. But this prediction raises important questions about what society would actually look like. History shows that technology often creates new types of work rather than eliminating work entirely. The industrial revolution replaced farm labor with factory jobs. Computers generated entire industries that nobody imagined before. Each wave of automation has shifted employment rather than ended it. The assumption that robots will simply free us ignores economic realities. Most people work because they need income to survive. Universal basic income remains largely theoretical with no large-scale implementation that proves it can sustain entire populations. Without fundamental changes to economic systems the extra free time might only benefit those who already have wealth. There are also questions about human nature & purpose. Many people derive meaning & identity from their work. Studies consistently show that unemployment often leads to depression & loss of purpose even when financial needs are met. Free time without structure or goals can become a burden rather than a blessing. The billionaire vision assumes everyone would use extra time productively for art or learning or relationships. Reality suggests many would struggle with purposelessness. We already see this in communities where traditional industries have collapsed and nothing replaced them. Technology will certainly continue changing how we work. Some jobs will disappear while others emerge. But the idea that we will all soon have abundant leisure time oversimplifies complex social and economic systems. The future of work depends not just on technology but on how society chooses to distribute resources and redefine value.
Then you hear Giorgio Parisi, Nobel Prize in Physics 2021, calmly explain on Italian TV that he expects AI and automation to **sweep away whole categories of jobs**, not just a few tasks. His prediction is blunt: the economy will still create value, maybe even more, but it will need far fewer human workers.
Free time, yes. Stable jobs, maybe not.
Parisi makes the same argument that Musk has stated many times before. Musk believes we will reach a stage where nobody needs to work anymore. People could choose to have jobs for their own fulfillment but artificial intelligence would handle all tasks. Gates takes a more careful approach when he talks about this topic. He describes a future where AI assistants and robots perform most thinking work and physical labor. At that point societies would need to reconsider the connection between earning money and having a job.
# Pressure mounts on Nasa: the space station is nearing its end and no replacement is ready
The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth for over two decades. It represents one of humanity’s greatest achievements in space exploration. However time is running out for this massive laboratory in the sky. Nasa faces growing pressure as the station approaches retirement with no clear successor waiting in the wings. The ISS was never meant to last forever. Engineers designed it with a specific operational lifespan in mind. That deadline is approaching faster than many realize. Current plans call for deorbiting the station sometime around 2030. This leaves less than a decade to develop and launch a replacement facility. The challenge extends beyond simple construction timelines. Building a new space station requires enormous financial resources & international cooperation. Multiple countries contributed to the ISS over many years. Replicating that level of collaboration for a new project presents significant diplomatic and logistical hurdles. Private companies have entered the conversation about future space stations. Several firms are developing commercial platforms intended for research & tourism. These ventures show promise but remain largely untested. Relying entirely on private industry represents a major shift in how humanity maintains a presence in low Earth orbit. Scientists worry about losing continuous access to microgravity research. The ISS has enabled countless experiments that simply cannot happen on Earth. Medical research, materials science and biological studies all benefit from the unique environment. A gap in orbital laboratory availability could set back numerous fields of study. Nasa has acknowledged the urgency of the situation. The agency is working with commercial partners to accelerate development of new platforms. However bureaucratic processes and funding limitations slow progress. Congressional support remains inconsistent as priorities shift with each election cycle. International partners face their own decisions about future space infrastructure. Russia has discussed building an independent station. China already operates its own facility separate from the ISS. The unified approach that characterized the original station may not continue into the next generation. The technical challenges of replacing the ISS should not be underestimated. The current station took over a decade to assemble in orbit. It required dozens of launches and countless hours of spacewalks. Any successor will demand similar or greater effort depending on its design and capabilities. Funding represents perhaps the biggest obstacle. Space stations cost billions of dollars to build and maintain. Government budgets face competing demands from numerous programs. Convincing lawmakers to commit substantial resources to a new station requires sustained political will. The clock continues ticking as the ISS ages. Systems require more frequent repairs and maintenance. Eventually the cost of keeping the aging station operational will exceed the value it provides. That calculation will force difficult decisions about timing & priorities. Without a replacement ready when the ISS retires humanity could lose its permanent foothold in space. The gap would affect not just scientific research but also international prestige and technological development. The consequences would ripple through multiple sectors for years to come. Nasa must navigate these challenges while maintaining current operations. The agency cannot simply abandon the ISS before alternatives exist. Yet every year spent maintaining the old station is a year not fully invested in building the new one. The situation demands urgent attention from policymakers and space agencies worldwide. Decisions made in the next few years will determine whether humanity maintains continuous presence in orbit. The pressure on Nasa reflects broader questions about our commitment to space exploration and scientific advancement.
# One Simple Bathroom Product Is Enough: Why Rats Refuse to Overwinter in Gardens Where It Is Used
Rats are unwelcome guests in any garden. These rodents can cause significant damage to plants and structures while also posing health risks to humans and pets. When cold weather arrives rats often seek shelter in gardens and outdoor spaces to survive the winter months. However there is a surprisingly simple solution that many homeowners overlook. A common bathroom product can effectively deter these pests from settling in your garden for the winter season.
## Understanding Why Rats Choose Gardens for Winter Shelter
Rats are resourceful creatures that actively search for warm and protected locations as temperatures drop. Gardens provide multiple advantages for these rodents during winter. They offer hiding spots among dense vegetation & garden debris. Compost piles generate heat through decomposition and create ideal nesting areas. Sheds & greenhouses provide additional protection from harsh weather conditions. Food sources also attract rats to gardens during winter. Bird feeders drop seeds on the ground. Vegetable gardens may have remaining produce. Fruit trees leave fallen fruit that rats can easily access. These food supplies combined with shelter options make gardens attractive winter habitats for rat populations.
## The Bathroom Product That Keeps Rats Away
The simple bathroom product that effectively repels rats is peppermint oil. This natural substance is commonly found in soaps and toothpaste and air fresheners. Rats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and they find the strong scent of peppermint overwhelming and unpleasant. When peppermint oil is applied strategically throughout a garden it creates an environment that rats actively avoid. Peppermint oil works as a deterrent because it interferes with the rat’s ability to detect food sources and navigate their surroundings. The powerful aroma masks other scents that would normally attract rats to an area. Unlike chemical pesticides peppermint oil is safe for use around children and pets and beneficial garden wildlife.
## How to Use Peppermint Oil in Your Garden
Applying peppermint oil in your garden requires a systematic approach for maximum effectiveness. Start by identifying areas where rats are most likely to enter or nest. These locations typically include the perimeter of sheds and the base of compost bins and dense shrub areas and gaps in fencing. Create a peppermint oil solution by mixing 10 to 15 drops of pure peppermint essential oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before each use. Spray this solution around potential entry points and along garden borders and near any structures where rats might seek shelter. Reapply the solution every few days or after rainfall since the scent diminishes over time. For longer lasting protection soak cotton balls in undiluted peppermint oil & place them in strategic locations. Put these cotton balls inside sheds & under decking and near compost piles and in other areas where rats might nest. Replace the cotton balls every week or when the scent fades to maintain the deterrent effect.
## Additional Natural Methods to Prevent Rat Infestations
While peppermint oil is highly effective combining it with other natural prevention methods creates a comprehensive defense against rats. Maintaining a clean and tidy garden removes many attractions for these rodents. Clear away fallen fruit promptly and secure compost bins with tight fitting lids and store bird seed in sealed containers. Eliminate potential nesting sites by trimming overgrown vegetation and removing piles of leaves or wood. Keep grass cut short and maintain clear spaces around garden structures. This reduces hiding spots and makes your garden less appealing to rats seeking winter shelter. Consider planting herbs and plants that rats naturally dislike. Mint plants themselves serve as living deterrents when planted around garden borders. Other plants with strong scents such as lavender and rosemary and garlic also help repel rodents. These plants provide the added benefit of being useful in cooking and adding beauty to your garden.
## Why Natural Solutions Are Better Than Chemical Alternatives
Chemical rodenticides and poisons may seem like quick solutions but they come with serious drawbacks. These substances pose risks to pets & children and wildlife that might accidentally consume them. Poisoned rats often die in inaccessible locations and create unpleasant odors as they decompose. Also rats can develop resistance to certain poisons over time and make them less effective. Natural deterrents like peppermint oil offer a safer and more sustainable approach to pest control. They work by making the environment uninviting rather than harming the animals directly. This method encourages rats to relocate to other areas without the ethical concerns associated with killing them. Natural solutions also protect the broader ecosystem by avoiding the introduction of toxic chemicals into the environment.
## Monitoring and Maintaining Your Rat Free Garden
After implementing peppermint oil and other preventive measures regular monitoring ensures your garden remains rat free throughout winter. Look for signs of rat activity such as droppings and gnaw marks and burrow holes. Check these indicators weekly to catch any new rat presence early. Maintain your peppermint oil applications consistently throughout the cold months. Rats are persistent and will test boundaries if they detect the deterrent weakening. Consistency is key to keeping them away for the entire winter season. If you notice signs that rats are still attempting to enter your garden despite these measures reassess your strategy. You may need to increase the frequency of peppermint oil applications or identify additional entry points that need attention. Sometimes combining multiple natural deterrents provides better results than relying on a single method.
## Conclusion
Keeping rats out of your garden during winter does not require expensive pest control services or dangerous chemicals. A simple bathroom product like peppermint oil provides an effective and natural solution to this common problem. By understanding what attracts rats to gardens and applying peppermint oil strategically and maintaining good garden hygiene you can create an environment where rats refuse to overwinter. This approach protects your garden while keeping your family and pets safe from harmful substances.
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This isn’t sci-fi anymore. Consider what’s already quietly happening. Journalists share newsrooms with AI text tools. Lawyers use software that drafts contracts. Coders accept that AI can now generate solid chunks of code in seconds. Each tool brings a bit more speed, a bit less human necessity.
Parisi comes from the world of disordered systems and complexity, not Silicon Valley hype. That’s what makes his warning feel different. He’s looking at patterns: historically, when productivity jumps, societies eventually adapt. The steam engine, electricity, computers. Jobs vanished, new ones appeared.
This time, the curve looks steeper. AI doesn’t just automate one category; it seeps into many at once. From customer support to design to diagnostics. From warehouses to classrooms.
His core fear is simple: the adjustment might be too fast for the job market to absorb. The math works. The social contract doesn’t.
How to live in a world where work isn’t guaranteed
So what do you actually do if some of the smartest people on the planet are quietly telling you: “Your job might not exist in 15 years”? You don’t have to panic. You do have to move. Start small and concrete.
First step: audit your week. Take one ordinary week and write down, in rough terms, what you do at work hour by hour. Emails, reports, calls, copy-paste tasks, customer chats, routine Excel. Then ask a slightly uncomfortable question for each block: could software plausibly do this soon?
What’s left is your real safety zone. Human contact. Strategy. Taste. Judgment. Curiosity. That’s where to invest your energy.
People imagine adaptability as a grand pivot: quit your job, learn to code, become an AI engineer. That story is exhausting. Most of us have rent to pay and kids to pick up from school.
A more honest path looks like this: you stay where you are, but you slowly shift. You let AI into your days as a tool, so you understand what it can and can’t do. You take on one slightly more complex project at work, something that forces you to think beyond routine. You ask to sit in the meeting where decisions are made, not just execute what was decided.
Let’s be honest: nobody really does this every single day. But one small shift a month, over five years, completely changes your trajectory.
At some point, the mental switch becomes emotional: from fear of losing your job to designing your future free time. Parisi, Musk, and Gates all, in their own way, are pointing at the same hidden question: what do you do when you are no longer “needed” eight hours a day?
Giorgio Parisi summed it up in a single chilling sentence during an interview: “We must organize a society where not everyone needs to work, but everyone can live with dignity.”
- Learn one skill per year that raises your “human premium” (public speaking, facilitation, storytelling, negotiation).
- Build a visible footprint outside your job title: a newsletter, a portfolio, a small online project.
- Experiment with “mini-jobs” you’d still do even if you didn’t need the money: tutoring, repairing things, creating art.
- Talk openly with friends or colleagues about money, time, and meaning. You’re not the only one thinking about this.
- Save for “optionality”, not just retirement: a cushion that buys you six months to retrain or pause if your role disappears.
From career to identity: who are we without a job?
We all experienced that moment at a party when someone asks what we do for work and the answer feels more important than it should be. In a world where jobs are disappearing but free time is increasing that question will become uncomfortable for millions of people. The way we think about work is changing. For generations people have defined themselves by their careers. Your job was not just how you earned money but also who you were as a person. When work becomes less available this identity crisis becomes a real problem. Technology is replacing human workers at an accelerating pace. Automation and artificial intelligence are taking over tasks that people used to do. This is not just affecting factory workers or truck drivers anymore. Even white collar jobs in accounting & law and medicine are at risk. The jobs that remain often pay less & offer fewer benefits than the ones that disappeared. At the same time people have more free time than ever before. This should be good news but our society has not prepared us to handle it well. We have been taught that productivity equals worth. When you are not working you might feel guilty or lost. The Protestant work ethic that built modern capitalism tells us that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. But what if we could change this mindset? What if having more free time was actually an opportunity rather than a crisis? Throughout history the wealthy have always had leisure time & nobody questioned their value. The difference now is that leisure might become available to everyone whether they want it or not. Some countries are experimenting with shorter work weeks. Others are testing universal basic income programs that give people money regardless of whether they work. These experiments show that people do not just sit around doing nothing when given free time and financial security. They pursue education & start businesses and volunteer in their communities and spend time with family. The challenge is cultural more than economic. We need to stop measuring human worth by economic output. A person who spends their time creating art or raising children or caring for elderly parents is contributing to society even if they are not earning a paycheck. Someone who works part time to pursue personal interests is not lazy. This shift will not be easy. Our entire social structure is built around work. We get health insurance through jobs. We make friends at work. We structure our days around work schedules. Changing this requires rethinking everything from urban planning to education to social services. The education system needs the biggest overhaul. Right now schools prepare students for jobs that might not exist by the time they graduate. Instead of focusing only on career skills we should teach people how to find meaning and purpose in life. Critical thinking and creativity and emotional intelligence matter more than memorizing facts. We also need to create new social structures that replace what work currently provides. Community centers and hobby groups and volunteer organizations can give people the sense of purpose & belonging that jobs once offered. Cities should design spaces that encourage social interaction rather than just commuting to work. The transition period will be difficult. People who lose jobs to automation will struggle. Communities built around single industries will face economic collapse. Governments will need to provide support and retraining programs. But fighting against technological progress is pointless. The changes are coming whether we like it or not. History shows that major economic shifts always create winners & losers. The Industrial Revolution destroyed traditional farming communities but eventually created a higher standard of living for most people. The current transformation could do the same if we manage it properly. The key is to start changing our attitudes now before the crisis hits. We need to have honest conversations about what gives life meaning beyond work. We should celebrate people who choose to work less and live more. We must build social safety nets that support people during transitions. Young people are already leading this change. Many millennials and Gen Z workers prioritize work life balance over career advancement. They are willing to earn less money in exchange for more time and flexibility. Older generations often criticize this attitude as entitled or lazy but it might actually be healthier. The question at parties might soon change from what do you do to how do you spend your time. That shift in language reflects a shift in values. Your worth as a person has nothing to do with your job title or salary. It comes from your relationships and passions & contributions to your community. This does not mean work will disappear completely. Many people genuinely enjoy their jobs and find fulfillment in their careers. Others need the structure & social connection that work provides. The goal is not to eliminate work but to make it optional and to remove the stigma from choosing not to work full time. We are entering uncharted territory. No society in history has had to deal with widespread technological unemployment combined with abundance. The outcome depends on the choices we make now. We can either cling to outdated ideas about work and watch millions suffer or we can embrace a new vision of human flourishing that does not depend on constant productivity. The party question will always be a little awkward. Small talk is never easy. But maybe someday when someone asks what you do you can answer with what brings you joy rather than what pays your bills. That would be real progress. they’ve
Psychologists already see how unemployment cuts deeper than lost salary. It shakes identity, status, structure. *If you remove the job but keep people’s need for purpose, you create a vacuum.*
Musk and Gates talk about universal basic income as a financial cushion. Parisi talks about dignity. The missing piece is meaning. What do our days look like when we’re no longer defined by the company on our LinkedIn profile?
One risk is obvious. Societies with huge pockets of idle people and no shared story tend to fracture. You can feel seeds of that in online radicalization, in conspiracy communities, in the anger of those who already feel “left behind by globalization” and now see AI as phase two.
Another path is quieter and harder to build. Cities and towns that treat free time as a resource, not a failure. Studios where adults learn new crafts at 45. Local labs where retired technicians mentor teens. Libraries turned into buzzing lifelong learning hubs, not silent mausoleums of paper.
None of this trends on X. But this is what a post-job society would actually need: a daily rhythm that still feels like a life.
The plain truth is that the future Parisi describes will not arrive the same way for everyone. For some, more free time will mean long brunches, travel, “finally writing that novel”. For others, it may first show up as a cut shift, a shrinking roster, a contract that quietly isn’t renewed.
That is why the conversation cannot remain limited to billionaires or academics. It must reach kitchens and classrooms and trade unions and WhatsApp groups. If free time is approaching we need to decide whether it represents forced idleness or chosen leisure. Does it arrive with shame or does it bring a new kind of pride?
The technology curve is already drawn. The human story is still unwritten.
What this future asks from us, right now
The world finds itself in an odd situation right now. The wealthiest technology leaders and a Nobel Prize-winning physicist are saying the same thing. They all believe that automation will continue to grow until it disrupts or eliminates most regular jobs. Their reasons might be different but they all point toward the same outcome. This agreement is unusual because these groups rarely share the same view. Tech billionaires usually focus on innovation and profit while scientists typically concentrate on research and theory. Yet both sides now warn that machines and artificial intelligence will replace human workers across many industries. The concern is not just about factory jobs or manual labor anymore. Automation threatens positions that require thinking & decision-making too. Office workers and professionals might face the same challenges that manufacturing employees experienced decades ago. Some experts argue this change will happen gradually over many years. Others believe the transformation will occur much faster than most people expect. Regardless of the timeline everyone agrees that the workforce will look very different in the future. The question is no longer whether automation will change employment but rather how quickly it will happen and which jobs will survive. Society needs to prepare for this shift by rethinking education & training programs. Workers may need to learn new skills multiple times throughout their careers just to stay employed.
For you, this isn’t an abstract policy debate. It’s about whether you start treating your free time as a training ground, not just recovery time. It’s about accepting that your job description is temporary, but your capacity to learn is not.
And it’s about daring to imagine a week where you work less… without feeling less worthy.
Picture a world where working three paid days each week is standard rather than a special benefit. In this society people ask each other about current interests instead of asking about jobs. Governments collect taxes from companies that use heavy automation & put those funds toward basic income programs along with education and public infrastructure. This vision represents a shift in how we think about work & daily life. The traditional five-day work schedule would become outdated as automation handles more tasks. People would have extra time to pursue hobbies and spend time with family or contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. The economic model would need to change significantly. Companies that replace human workers with machines and artificial intelligence would pay higher tax rates. These tax revenues would support people through guaranteed basic income so everyone could meet their essential needs. The money would also fund schools and training programs to help people develop new skills. Public services like transportation and communication networks would improve with increased investment. Social interactions would evolve as well. The emphasis on career identity would fade since people would define themselves through their passions and activities rather than their employment. Someone might focus on art or volunteer work or learning new subjects without worrying about financial survival. This system would require careful planning and gradual implementation. Policymakers would need to balance business interests with social welfare. Communities would adapt to having more people around during traditional work hours. The education system would prepare students for a world where adaptability matters more than specific job training.
None of this is guaranteed. Politicians could also cut protections, let tech wins pool at the top, and tell everyone else to “retrain” in a labor market that doesn’t need them.
Your voice, your vote, your conversations at work all push the needle either toward shared leisure or unequal abandonment. Tiny levers, multiplied by millions.
Parisi’s warning hides an odd kind of hope. If we get this transition even halfway right, billions of people could live with less grind and more choice. More time for care work, art, friendships, rest.
The danger is drifting into that world unprepared while holding onto an outdated 20th century idea of career as the 21st century quietly rewrites all the rules around us.
So the real question isn’t just, “Will there be jobs?” It’s: when free time stops being rare, what will you actually do with it?
| Key point | Detail | Value for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs will shrink, free time will grow | Nobel physicist Giorgio Parisi, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates all foresee automation cutting human labor hours dramatically | Helps you anticipate long-term changes instead of being blindsided by them |
| Your “human premium” is your real safety net | Skills like judgment, creativity, empathy, and synthesis are hardest to automate | Guides where to invest your learning and career energy |
| Meaning must be rebuilt beyond employment | More free time without identity, structure, and purpose risks social and personal collapse | Invites you to design a life that still feels rich, even if traditional jobs fade |
FAQ:
- Will AI really eliminate most jobs, or just change them?Most experts expect a mix: tasks inside jobs will be automated first, then entire roles in some sectors will shrink or vanish. Parisi’s concern is that this could hit many fields at once, faster than new roles appear.
- Which jobs are safest in this future?Roles heavy on human interaction, creativity, complex coordination, and physical presence in unpredictable settings tend to be more resilient: nurses, therapists, teachers, artisans, managers of complex teams, and some trades.
- What can I learn now to stay relevant?Combine domain knowledge with “human skills” (communication, synthesis, leadership) and at least basic AI fluency so you can use the tools instead of competing with them.
- Is universal basic income really realistic?Some pilots are already running in Europe, the US, and Africa. Full nationwide UBI is politically contentious, but variations—negative income tax, automation taxes, partial basic income—are being seriously discussed.
- How do I prepare emotionally for a post-job world?Start decoupling your self-worth from your job title: invest in hobbies, communities, and roles (parent, neighbor, volunteer, creator) that don’t depend on an employer.
