Futures

Embracing Friction in Experience Design: The Need for Depth and Engagement, (from page 20251221.)

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Summary

This issue discusses the philosophical shift in experience design, emphasizing the importance of friction. While modern systems prioritize convenience and ease, they may sacrifice depth, curiosity, and meaningful engagement. The text argues that friction should be embraced as a feature, fostering challenge and exploration in design rather than being viewed as a flaw. Additionally, trends such as the decline in leisurely reading and cognitive skills highlight the consequences of our design choices on society. The roundup touches on various topics, including scientific advancements, workplace trends, innovative technologies, and cultural phenomena. The overall message advocates for designing experiences that require effort and intentionality, potentially leading to richer, more valuable interactions.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Friction as Future Luxury Resistance and depth become desirable traits in an age of overly seamless systems. Transitioning from valuing seamless experiences to appreciating experiences with intentional effort. Efforts will symbolize a richer, more meaningful engagement with technology and experiences. A growing recognition that ease can erode depth and cognitive engagement. 4
Decline of Leisure Reading A significant drop in Americans reading for pleasure over twenty years. A movement from a culture that values leisure reading to one that favors quick consumption. Future leisure activities may prioritize shorter formats over in-depth reading and contemplation. The pervasive influence of digital distractions and optimized consumption habits. 5
Rave Resurgence A revival of raves as a means of enhancing wellness and connection. Shifting from solitary, passive entertainment to communal and active engagement experiences. Rave culture could evolve into a dominant form of social wellness and community building. Desire for real, human connection in a digitally disconnected world. 3
Cloud Exit Movement A growing trend of businesses moving away from cloud-based infrastructures. Shift from cloud-first strategies to invested infrastructure, signaling maturity in digital operations. On-premises infrastructures may emerge as a preferred choice for businesses seeking control and security. Stability and control in data privacy and operational security concerns increase. 4
Artificial Fluency in Design Designs prioritizing ease over depth lead to shallow interactions. Shifting focus from easy interactions to those that challenge and provoke deeper thought. Design may increasingly foster critical thinking and curiosity rather than convenience. A backlash against an overly convenient and shallow digital experience. 4

Concerns

name description
Cognitive Decline With increasing cognitive decline and falling IQ scores, reliance on simplified systems may hinder critical thinking and deep learning.
Loss of Curiosity The shift towards seamless experiences may erode curiosity and the joy of exploration, diminishing personal growth and learning.
Surface-Level Engagement The trend of designing for effortless interaction could lead to a culture of superficial engagement with media and knowledge.
Digital Fluency vs. Depth As experiences become easier, there is a risk of transitioning from meaningful engagement to shallow interactions devoid of depth and nuance.
Displacement of Friction Eliminating friction may lead to the loss of valuable experiences that encourage reflection and discovery, affecting learning and growth.
Health Implications of Technology The emergence of technologies like cyborg bees and brain-computer interfaces raises ethical concerns about health impacts and human agency.
Environmental Impact of New Technologies Innovations in tech and consumption, such as space-aged beverages, could impact environmental sustainability if not managed responsibly.
Manipulation of Information and Reality Concerns over deepfake technology and its implications for identity and privacy could lead to a rise in misinformation and consent violations.

Behaviors

name description
Designing for Effort Creating systems that incorporate meaningful friction to enhance depth, curiosity, and reflection in user experiences.
The Friction Economy Shifting the perception of friction from a flaw to a necessary texture that enriches experiences and interactions.
Value of Struggle Embracing challenges and struggle in design as a means to foster engagement and personal growth.
Curated Exploration Designing interfaces and environments that prioritize user exploration and meaningful engagement over convenience and speed.
Intentional Media Consumption Encouraging habits of deeper engagement, such as reading without summaries, to combat cognitive decline and promote critical thinking.
Job Hugging Trends showing employees’ reluctance to switch jobs frequently, opting instead for stability in their current roles.
Generative Engine Optimization The emerging field of optimizing generative AI tools for specific outputs and results.
Rave Resurgence A revival of music and communal experiences focused on wellness and connection.
Nose Robots and Tiny Tech Exploring the integration of miniature technology, such as robots designed to assist in medical tasks, into everyday life.
Self-Copyrighting for Individuals Emerging legal trends allowing individuals to reclaim rights over their digital likenesses and identities.

Technologies

name description
Third State Cells Discovering a new state of life where the cells of a dead organism can adopt new functions even after death.
Perfect Life Forms Scientists have engineered a bacterium whose genetic code is more efficient than any other lifeform on Earth.
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) A new acronym for describing the work of optimizing generative engines.
AI Operating System A vision for an operating system that makes traditional inputs and interactions feel outdated by 2030.
Plasma Deodorant An electronic device that uses plasma, rendering traditional deodorants obsolete.
Nose Robots Miniature robots designed to be deployed for curing stubborn infections in the sinus cavity.
Rave Resurgence The revival of collective dance music events as a new frontier for wellness and connection.
Space Aged Beverages Liquor that ages 2.5 times faster under microgravity conditions, potentially resulting in unique flavors.
Cyborg Bees Researching the integration of technology with bees for military purposes.
3D-Printed Pavilion for Ice Cream A structure made from recycled plastic and shaped by industrial robots, showcasing sustainable design.

Issues

name description
Designing for Effort The emerging trend of valuing friction in design as a means to enhance depth, curiosity, and interpretation in experiences.
Cognitive Decline A troubling trend in declining reading habits and rising functional illiteracy, signaling potential cognitive decline in society.
Climate-aware Music Initiatives The merging of environmental causes with creative expressions, like nature credited as a music artist, promoting sustainability.
Job Market Stability The trend of employees choosing job stability over frequent job changes indicates a shift in workplace dynamics and employee priorities.
AI and Experience Design Increasing reliance on AI for decision-making may lead to a lack of depth and critical thinking in user experiences.
Biotechnological Innovations Emerging technologies like engineered organisms and cyborg bees for various applications, including environmental and military uses.
Nostalgic and Contextual Experiences The resurgence of raves and sensory experiences as tools for community engagement and wellness.
Digital Serenity The emerging movement of stepping back from cloud dependence towards on-prem and private infrastructures for stability.
Legal Authority Over Digital Content New laws allowing individuals to control nonconsensual digital reproductions of themselves, impacting privacy and identity.