AI and white-collar America's nervous breakdown
Key takeaways
- She was the breadwinner for her family, working remotely and raising her children in rural Vermont.
- I'm just trying to survive," Harrington said in an interview.
- Harrington is one of thousands — or, depending on how you count, millions.
AI and white-collar America's nervous breakdown AI and white-collar America's nervous breakdown · Quartz · Getty Images Catherine Baab Mon, June 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM GMT+7 12 min read For two decades, Kimberly Harrington thrived as a freelance copywriter and creative director, with clients including Apple, Netflix, and Nike. She was the breadwinner for her family, working remotely and raising her children in rural Vermont. Two years ago, as the kids left home for college, she decided to look for the perfect full-time job — only to watch her prospects collapse. She went, as she put it, from carefully vetting only "the best of the best" opportunities to, "I will take anything."
"I've given up on any sort of dream scenario. I'm just trying to survive," Harrington said in an interview. "I know a creative director who is a mailman now."
Harrington is one of thousands — or, depending on how you count, millions. If you earn more than $60,000 a year, have at least some college education, and do your work on a laptop, this story is about you, too.