I believe that if the elevator you used on a daily basis was suddenly spruced up, it would make you feel good, and you would wonder, “What’s changed?” When public amenities are cleaned up, people feel enriched.
— Naoto Fukasawa, Embodiment
I’ve been working through a couple of books, one being Embodiment which I wrote about last time as well. The possibility of enrichment through the design of our daily objects, both digital and physical, is the driver behind so many (conscious and subconscious) moods and decisions.
There is always the possibility of elevation. The rethinking of materials, interfaces, etc. However, I believe that we’ve done something truly special when we are able to create an object that shifts our base expectations.
There should be a computer in my hand at all times. My car should come from pushing a button. Why would I buy music song by song, album by album. You get it.
Strategy is design. Design is how it works.
We take a position to create optionality. Working to build an engine that has cascading advantages. When those cascading advantages hit an inflection point on our base expectations, we reach a point of no return.
The challenging of fundamental assumptions and building through first principles is incredibly daunting. But when starting with a defined view of how the world should work, you can realize incredible work and purpose.
The mindless quality of total involvement that comes only when the ego is quiet and there is no attachment.
— be here now
My current reading is a mix between design process and a search through my existential questions around technology at large…. technology’s inherent intertwined history with man… the shift of mediums and effects on our consciousness… technology as an independent organism….
So if you have books recs, send them my way… I’m deep in the weeds right now.
This was a short one. I don’t do edits really, so excuse typos and things that don’t make sense.
Thanks so much for giving me your attention. I hope it was worth it, if not… unsubscribing will not hurt my feelings, and will give you back time you literally cannot have back.
Much love.