The Future of You
The Future of You is the home of Tracey Follows’ ongoing work on identity, agency, and the changing relationship between systems and selves in an AI-mediated world.
This channel now brings together three strands of that work.
The Future of You podcast explores how technology is reshaping identity, from digital selves and predictive systems to automation, intimacy, trust, and human futures.
The Future of You audio series is the original 2021 book, released here chapter by chapter. It explores what Tracey came to call the technology of the self: a third dimension of identity, alongside the psychology of the self and the biology of the self. These recordings are presented as an audio archive of the original published text.
Me:chine Dialogues is a special series from The Future of You exploring identity, agency, and AI-mediated systems — where the machinable and unmachinable selves meet. It follows the emerging synthetic condition shaping who we are becoming: not man versus machine, but the meeting of selves, the part that can be copied and the part that can never be caught.
Together, these three strands trace an evolving inquiry into identity: from the digital self, to the technological self, to the Me:chine self.
Across all of them runs one continuous question: what happens to human identity when the systems around us begin to see us, sort us, predict us, generate us, and increasingly speak in our name?
Identity is becoming infrastructure for systems. This channel explores what remains of the self inside them.
Core concepts include:
Systems & Self
Identity as Infrastructure
The Technology of the Self
Me:chine — the machinable and unmachinable self
New here? Start with:
→ Me:chine Dialogues: Manifesto
→ The Future of You audio series: Chapter 1, Knowing You
→ The Future of You podcast archive
Visit:
→ Me:chine World and essays: me-chine.com
→ Podcast archive: The Future of You
→ Audio series: weekly chapters on this channel Introduction
About Tracey Follows
Tracey Follows is a futurist specialising in identity, agency, and the relationship between systems and selves in an AI-mediated world. Her work includes the frameworks Systems & Self, Identity as Infrastructure, and Me:chine, exploring the machinable and unmachinable dimensions of human identity.
The Future of You was named Best Tech Show at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.
Her central premise: “The future is written between the system and the self.”
Follow to receive each new transmission as it is released.AI-mediated systems - where the machinable and unmachinable selves meet.
The Future of You
Your Identity, Unplugged with Erik Prince
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In this episode of The Future of You I’m talking to Erik Prince, co-founder of Unplugged, a privacy-first smartphone to rival Big Tech. A former Navy SEAL, Erik is also the founder and former CEO of Blackwater—the world’s largest and most effective private military firm.
Erik discusses the creation and importance of the Unplugged phone and highlights the growing concerns around data collection, surveillance, and the misuse of technology by governments and big tech companies. He delves into the unique features of the Unplugged phone, including its lack of an advertising ID, secure messenger, and kill switch, all designed to protect user privacy.
We also touch on the broader issues of digital surveillance, the role of AI, and the future of personal security in an increasingly connected world.
Erik's website https://erikdprince.com
UNplugged website https://unplugged.com
Somalian Project on You Tube The Somali Project - Official Trailer (HD) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEPtXOCCzRE
Shawn Ryan Show Erik Prince - Breakdown of the Donald Trump Assassination Attempt | SRS #123 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t81CeoEcCik&t=956s
Erik's book: Civilian Warriors https://erikdprince.com/civilian-warriors/
UNherd with Silki Carlo on The UK’s Counter Disinformation Unit https://unherd.com/watch-listen/get-ready-for-the-crackdown/
Video audio included with permission from Erik Prince
Tracey's book 'The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology?' available in the UK (https://bit.ly/44ObTha) and US (https://bit.ly/3OlDxgk)
The Future of You was named Best Technology Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.
Find Tracey at https://www.futuremade.group/abouttracey
Explore more on The Future of You at https://www.futuremade.group/the-future-of-you
