Whatever Works | Naomi Alderman | Substack

are you asking enough of your brain?

scrolling addiction is actually a sign you're desperate to learn new things

Oct 6, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

I didn't want to write about child sexual abuse images

but here we are

Jan 13 • Naomi Alderman

how I make my BBC programme Human Intelligence

and what it's taught me about research (including AI for research). plus! chill games, 'young people culture' and the movie from Iran to watch this week

Jan 11 • Naomi Alderman

I love Prince Harry

possibly my most controversial opinion that I am very sure of and which I think could not publish like this in the UK press (plus, under the line: a…

Jan 4 • Naomi Alderman

in 2025 I got a distinction in my MA in Classics

it was about women in Ancient Rome who wore the toga. I am very proud of myself.

Dec 31, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

Recent posts

a calendar of delicious podcast subscriptions for 2026

a month of each, listen & move on (or keep if you love them obvs). plus: books, films, games for this lovely bit of the break. And! how actual AI…

Dec 28, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

doing enough with your brain: intelligent magazine articles as a research pathway

or: how to be actually well-educated, a continued roast of some AI writing, advice about how to wander forever in the world of human thinking. part 2 of…

Dec 21, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

a single line of Shakespeare contains an ethical universe

on what we get from individual word choice, what good writing is, plus: what I put in my ChatGPT settings to make it helpful

Dec 14, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

Whatever Works

Whatever Works

novelist, genuinely interested in almost everything. here I write about art that thrills me, what words and how they do it, places I love, technology that intrigues me, ways to learn new brilliant stuff, everything I am curious about.

Recommendations

Cambridge Ladies' Dining Society

Cambridge Ladies' Dining Society

Ann Kennedy Smith

Gary Marcus

After School by Casey Lewis

After School by Casey Lewis

Casey Lewis

Austin Kleon

Austin Kleon

Peak Notions with Laura Kennedy

Peak Notions with Laura Kennedy

Laura Kennedy

a considered position

I didn't want to write about child sexual abuse images

but here we are

Jan 13 • Naomi Alderman

I love Prince Harry

possibly my most controversial opinion that I am very sure of and which I think could not publish like this in the UK press (plus, under the line: a…

Jan 4 • Naomi Alderman

going through hell, keeping going

on art, grief, and the emotional heroism of just bloody keeping on making your work

Nov 23, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

that evening I got sat next to Ghislaine Maxwell at a dinner

it was in August 2013 and I had no idea about any reporting about her. Someone else mentioned "she's Robert Maxwell's daughter" and I felt sorry for…

Nov 2, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

technological intelligence

how teenagers can prepare for work in the AI era

part 2: a five-step programme of practical advice, in addition to not panicking

Nov 16, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

something unexpected that AI has made me better at

it is not writing (lol). or superintelligent thinking (lol lol). but I think there are four skills that are a good benefit, and easy to practice - and…

Nov 6, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

preparing for the working world in the age of AI

or: seven things to tell your kids when they ask what they should study now, or what the point of studying is

Nov 3, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

Are you using an LLM for anything important? (Like, life advice?)

One weird prompt to start using immediately

Sep 13, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

close readings

Flesh by David Szalay

most correct and brilliant Booker-winner in years

Nov 11, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

the BBC and why it needs defending

even if you don't always agree with it, and sometimes it does things that you think are outright terrible

Nov 10, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

how to actually be enjoyably well-educated (1 of 7)

or: how not to allow AI-generated education advice to rot your brain

Oct 24, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

are you keeping enjoyment for 'best'?

cos I realised I am! let's stop doing that?!

Oct 18, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

are you asking enough of your brain?

scrolling addiction is actually a sign you're desperate to learn new things

Oct 6, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

infectious enthusiasms

a calendar of delicious podcast subscriptions for 2026

a month of each, listen & move on (or keep if you love them obvs). plus: books, films, games for this lovely bit of the break. And! how actual AI…

Dec 28, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

audiobooks part 2: 21 more excellent listens for dark months

and at the bottom: I bought a games company, some things that made me laugh and a few days of winter sun that apparently were as good as a facelift?!

Dec 7, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

at the ebbing of the year: 27 genuinely excellent audiobooks (36 more to come)

my recs to friends for: long car journeys, kitchen cooking sessions, present-wrapping, crafts, staring at falling snow, leaves or rain, drowsing off to…

Dec 1, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

November is for reading

or: a month of sheer luxurious intellectual pleasure

Nov 1, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

leaving the house

Jewish London: a celebration in 13 places

because it is nice to think about gorgeous parts of my culture and heritage

Oct 3, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

43 more things I love in London

still just filled to the brim with wonder

Sep 25, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

57 things I love in London

because London is so good. it's just so so good.

Sep 17, 2025 • Naomi Alderman

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