Blog

May 13

2025

Technological Advancement

It is important for us to realize as we design more powerful digital tools that we design tools that empower and help users rather than provide them with a means to escape reality. Many might believe that a utopian world can be created with no sadness or suffering through advancing technology. Are we really doing someone a favor if we present them with a reprieve from reality? Surely they will crash down from their perfect digital world and need to face reality at some point. What we can do is create tools that empower them to overcome the obstacles that they are facing.

The human experience is one that involves hardship, challenges and mistakes. We can help users to overcome these challenges that they face with tools that respect their autonomy, keep them grounded in reality and do not lead to excessive or addictive use. While some might profit from the stimulation of scrolling on a phone, most are left feeling dissatisfied. You can talk to anyone nowadays about their “doomscrolling” and hours wasted hunched over their screen.

We need tools that allow users to stop use when they want to and feel in control. These tools should be integrated into face to face interactions, not used to replace them. The push for more and faster technology is leaving the real and human part of our experience behind. Let’s create alternatives to addictive and destructive technologies and educate our youth on the proper use of technology. We can restore a healthy relationship with technology if we remind users of the options that are available to them and create options that put the user first.