About

Common Gene Labs

Common Gene Labs is an independent lab exploring gentler systems for being human — especially for people who struggle with starting, focus, and overwhelm.

We build calm, supportive tools that reduce friction without adding pressure. The goal isn’t optimization. It’s steadiness, clarity, and emotional safety.

“Common Gene” is a reminder that difficulty is not rare or exceptional — it’s shared. Our work starts from that truth.

About Eugene (Gene) Lawrence Aiken III

I’m Eugene (Gene) Lawrence Aiken III. I’m building Common Gene Labs as a small, careful place to make tools that feel like support — not a system you have to perform for.

I created our first project, With You, for moments when starting feels hard. It’s shaped by lived experience with ADHD, overwhelm, and the quiet difficulty of taking a first step.

If you’d like to share feedback, collaborate, or talk about what you’re building, reach out via the Contact link on the home page.

How we build

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Design for hard days
Support variability, not ideals
Avoid pressure-based design
Explain why things exist