G'day, I'm Jacob

I'm a widely-read creative thinker, who relishes provoking insight and deftly applying nuanced communication techniques to help address real-world interpersonal challenges.I work as a ss(pay-on-results)mm(in contrast with pay-by-the-hour.
This aligns incentives + minimises waste.)ee relationship consultant.
Book an enquiry call

What I do:

I take calls on a helpline for family issues.I offer 'pay-on-results' relationship therapy at Unconditional Therapy.I help organise a local community group which aims to address gender inequality. They're building a list of 20 Things Men Can Do To Challenge Patriarchy.I've drafted an alternative list. I'd love your critical/constructive feedback.I'm a hobby photographer.I like to read things which expand or challenge the way I understand and experience the world.I play chess fast and loose. Challenge me.

What I don't:

drink alcohol.use social media.*identify with any particular political party.

*besides goodreads.

What do I think?

People are motivated by 3 drives: Autonomy, Connection, Competence.
Society should be set up to facilitate their realisation.

Everything is ss(causally determined)mm(Free-will is an illusion)ee.

We're obligated to leave this world a better place than the world that we found.
We owe infinite gratitude to ancestors and fellow travellers for the privileges we so often take for granted.

Humans are fundamentally 'good'.
Anti-social behaviour is a desperate and tragic expression of unmet needs.

Empathy is meaningful in proportion to the differences between individuals.

Empathy comes easily toward ss(those who are aligned with us.)mm(friends, pets, loved-ones etc.)ee

We struggle to empathise with ss(others/opposition.)mm(anything we perceive as being different in terms of interests, character etc.)ee

Who inspires me?

I admire the work of ss(Yuval Noah Harari:)mm(Sapiens, Nexus... I've read all his books)ee

I’m interested in maintaining robust democracy.
I worry about polarisation undermining the open dialogue necessary for mutual understanding, constructive disagreement, and the finding of common ground.

I'm interested in resolving the tensions between trust and privacy online.

I am especially fascinated with the potential and risks of AI. I want to facilitate innovation with human-in-the-loop systems.

I enjoy building psychological bridges; helping people to expand their scope of empathy and to appreciate perspective diversity.

Books I've read

Join me on Goodreads