I’m teaching my kids to be patient, kind, humble. The seven classic virtues, basically. Having these virtues is important because they help us make the right choices in life, and make sure we all get along.
But in my work, I promote the opposite.
I make websites and apps that are optimized to let people be the ultimate spoiled child. All information can be found super fast, so they don’t have to be patient. The content is easy to swallow, so they don’t have to think things through. And it’s all personalised, so they don’t have to consider the existence of other people.
We’re breeding a generation of spoiled brats. Is that who we want to be? If virtues lead to us getting along, what do these behaviors lead to?
I’m beginning to understand that we have a responsibility. We don’t just create websites, we don’t just create experiences; we also create character.
This of course leads up to the question: Then what? What’s the alternative – make it shitty?
1. UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
On sustainability
2. UNDERSTANDING HOW THE WORLD WORKS
On nature
On human nature
On the meaning of life and living
On culture
On morality
3. UNDERSTANDING HOW CHANGE WORKS
On the Next Level Society
On behavioral change
On marketing sustainability
4-A. FIXING HOW WE DESIGN THE WORLD
On naturalness
On naturalness in behaviour
On naturalness in art
Artworks of interest
On naturalness in architecture
Architecture of interest: naturalness
On livable architecture
Architecture of interest: livability
On naturalness in design
Design works of interest
4-B. FIXING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OURSELVES
On well-being, self care and happiness
4-C. FIXING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
On responsible business
On Positive Design & design ethics
On privacy
Progressieve bureaus van Nederland, 2021
OTHER NOTES AND WRITINGS
On digital design, CX/UX, and technology
On the travel & hospitality industry
Miscellaneous