Article Notes

  The only constant Reflections on the authorship of design artefacts that live a life beyond the hands of those who craft them. Several years ago a fellow UX designer was explaining to me how disappointing he found the transient nature of the designs we put out into the (digital) world. The interfaces and interactions we ‘sketch’ and ‘paint’ are no sooner ‘built’ and ‘published’ than we (or another designer) are redesigning them. Isn’t the term ‘digital product’ designer somewhat of an oxymoron? Can the intangible claim to have been  produced ? The digital world exists outside of time and design portfolios grasp at legacies the present cannot access. All that remains are screenshots—the spectres of former endeavours. Though dissolution is an intractable truth of everything (bar the metaphysical), it’s hard to imagine much in the modern physical world that experiences the pace of continual overpainting and reinvention of digital ephemera. Like parchment, the web is a palimpses...

What is the 'intention economy,' and how can you protect yourself? In 1928, the Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming returned from a two-week vacation and realized he had made a significant oversight. In his haste to leave for his holiday, he had left a messy pile of petri dishes on his workstation. As he began to dispose of the dishes, something unusual caught his eye: a mold had formed around the bacteria in one of the petri dishes. Upon closer examination, Fleming made a startling discovery. The mold wasn’t just growing—it was actively inhibiting the spread of the bacteria. This observation led Fleming to wonder if the mold could be used to fight infections. Over the following weeks, his experiments with this novel substance led to the development of penicillin, revolutionizing the treatment of infectious diseases, saving over 500 million lives over the past century. Penicillin’s unlikely origin story holds a key insight into how human creativity may continue to flourish in ...

What is the 'intention economy,' and how can you protect yourself? In the 1990s, the internet was a bit of a wonderland. It was new and liberating and largely free of corporate and government influence . Thirty years later, I don’t think any of us would describe the internet this way. Worse, if subscribers to the Dead Internet Theory are correct, much of what we see on the internet today isn’t even created by humans anymore—a trend that is likely only to accelerate with the rise of generative AI technologies. However, a particular kind of generative AI technology, the AI chatbot, is set to usher in something even worse than a dying human internet. If researchers at the University of Cambridge are correct, we’re quickly approaching a new “intention economy,” where reports of our future actions will be sold to the highest bidder. And yes, that’s even scarier than it sounds. What is the intention economy? Right now, a large portion of the tech industry operates in a marketplace ...

  The Power of Storytelling in Business: The Case of Rideable Suitcases In an era where the market is flooded with products and services, standing out can be a monumental challenge. One way businesses can achieve this is through storytelling—an art that transcends simple marketing tactics and builds emotional connections. This approach has proven to be especially potent in transforming mundane items into memorable experiences. A prime example of this is the rideable suitcase, a product that has leveraged storytelling to capture the imagination of travelers and revolutionize the way we think about luggage. The rideable suitcase began as a clever invention designed to address a common traveler’s frustration: lugging heavy bags through crowded airports. At its core, it’s a suitcase with wheels that you can ride on, making airport navigation less of a chore. However, its success story isn't just about its functionality. It’s about how storytelling elevated this practical innovation int...

Harnessing Anxiety: A Pathway to Growth, Mindfulness, and Fulfillment In today's complex world, characterized by rapid information flow and often conflicting viewpoints, finding balance between mind and body is crucial. Many people grapple with managing anxiety, stress, and a sense of unfulfilled purpose, compounded by the influence of biased media, divergent perspectives, and the demands of social contracts. By integrating modern psychological strategies with the Japanese concept of   ikigai —finding joy and fulfillment in daily life—we can transform these challenges into opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction while navigating media bias, differing perspectives, and social responsibilities with insight and clarity. Anxiety is frequently viewed as a debilitating emotion, but it can be a powerful catalyst for growth. It is a natural response to perceived threats or challenges, triggering our body's “fight or flight” system. This heightened state of alertness can be h...

  George Orwell's   1984   has long been regarded as a cautionary tale, a dystopian novel that explores the dangers of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth. Today, as we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the parallels between Orwell's fictional world and our reality are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. From the pervasive reach of surveillance technology to the rise of echo chambers on social media, and the pressures of modern capitalism on global economies,   1984   feels more relevant than ever. Orwell’s concept of "Big Brother," a regime that constantly monitors its citizens, is perhaps the most striking parallel to today's world. While we may not live under an overtly oppressive regime, the ubiquity of surveillance technology is undeniable. Governments and corporations alike have access to an unprecedented amount of personal data. Cameras monitor our public spaces, our online activity is tracked, and our personal...

  Many believe that the best time to learn a language is during early childhood when kids are naturally soaking up their first language. This belief has led to a push for introducing foreign languages as early as kindergarten. However, while there are benefits to early language exposure, there are also significant drawbacks to this approach, especially when it comes to teaching a second language in elementary school. Consider what a kindergartener is already facing. In that first year of school, children are expected to learn a lot—phonemic and phonological awareness, basic reading and writing skills, and adapting to a completely new environment. They're just beginning to grasp the sounds of their native language, learning to read simple words, and figuring out how to answer questions about a story. Adding another language to this already challenging mix can be overwhelming, both academically and emotionally. Mastering literacy in one language is tough enough and takes years; expec...

  Sorry you feel that way: why passive aggression took over the world From Slack to the dinner table, honesty really is the best policy Nov 21st 2023 "Sorry You Feel That Way: The Rise of Passive Aggression in the Modern World" In a world increasingly dominated by indirect communication, passive aggression has become a subtle yet pervasive force in our personal and professional lives. Whether it's the silent treatment at the dinner table or a snarky comment during a team meeting, this form of veiled hostility has infiltrated our interactions, often leaving us bewildered and frustrated. Consider the scenario of Aaron and Jim, a couple whose evening plans were derailed by a work call. As Jim patiently waited for dinner, Aaron remained engrossed in business jargon that Jim, a musician, despised. When Aaron finally joined him at the table, his overly enthusiastic compliments on the now cold meal were met with a thunderous expression from Jim, who had lost his appetite. This e...

Japan’s Economic Revival: High-Tech Solutions, Persistent Challenges, and the Global Significance of the Yen Japan is undergoing a significant economic revival, marked by soaring stock markets and a historic interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ). However, this resurgence is uneven, with a stark contrast between corporate prosperity and the ongoing struggles of many Japanese consumers and workers in smaller sectors. At the center of this economic narrative is the Japanese yen, a currency of immense importance in the global economy, influencing everything from international trade to global financial markets. In March, Japan’s labor unions secured the most substantial wage increases in over three decades, a move reflecting broader optimism driven by the BOJ’s decision to raise interest rates for the first time in 17 years. The Nikkei Stock Average reached new all-time highs, signaling a revitalized economic climate. Yet, for many, particularly those in smaller industries, these ga...