A Note on Professional Futures

The architects of tomorrow will be independent creators and small business entrepreneurs not beholden to corporations demanding fealty to corrupt practices.

It's been two years now since my official "retirement." I had been considering, for a time and if the opportunity presented itself, the possibility of finding a new job, or continuing to do contract work, in software development or with a game company. I no longer think that's a viable professional option, so I'm now officially closing that chapter in my life.

It's become clear to me that the traditional employment relationships and career networks and of the past are no longer functional, reliable, or ethical. There are exceptions, but they've largely been captured by management whose policies are dictated by conformity to political and government priorities. The business world of today is no longer free or capitalist, but transitioning to what is effectively a system of neo-fascism. That's not something I want to have anything to do with, so I'm walking away from it.

The business world of tomorrow will be built in a parallel economy that rejects and replaces the broken one of today. Its architects will be independent creators and small business entrepreneurs. In short, they’ll be people who refuse any longer to be beholden to corporations demanding fealty to corrupt practices. That'll be my path going forward, and I hope to see some of you on it.

After a rocky period of adaptation over the last two years (and especially the last few months), I’m solidifying my plans for 2024 and beyond. That’ll include not only ramping up my creative output as an author and game developer, but adding a column of cultural commentary to the mix. I expect Part I of my next novel, Wrath of the Peregrine King, to be out by next summer at the latest. And I’ll also be attending some 2024 science fiction and fantasy genre conferences as well, including Marscon, FantaSci, and LibertyCon. I hope to see some of you there.