July 29 2013. §
I pity the tool
How many of you have smartphones? And if you have a smartphone, how many apps would you say you use on a weekly basis? Daily basis? Minute-by-minute basis?
Many apps these days strive to be used as much as possible. The term viral goes around as if a virus is some sort of good thing. Startups are valuated based on their number of users and the frequency of their interaction more so than their revenue stream. More interaction equals more value.
But does it really?
Apps, like other pieces of technology, are tools that we humans have developed to help us achieve more in our lives. So when does the tool shift from being the technology to being us, the human?
I would argue that many of the apps today need humans more than humans need the apps. The rising social phenomenon of apps often relies on achieving a certain threshold of users for a network effect to happen. Without it, the apps are pretty pointless.
While I could talk about that all day, the more important point is that it is possible to create apps that are tools that you use ONLY when you need them. Hammers, calculators, and forks — tools used only when you need them. Could you imagine being addicted to a hammer, walking around the world without putting it down because it’s so fun to use? Maybe in ancient or rural times, but not for many of us these days.
An app that you use only when you need it means that your interaction with it will be limited. You won’t pull it out every second, you won’t check in to see what’s happening, you won’t have addictive notifications popping up, giving you feedback highs like slot machine jingles. You will use it when you need it. Maybe 7 times per day, maybe once per day, maybe twice per year.
However, when you use it, it will be inexpressibly valuable. Tweezers–mostly useless, until you have a splinter, and then they are a godsend.
With our eyes and thumbs constantly drawn to the little flashing screen in our hands, we overlook (well, underlook) the world and the people around us. I feel respected when I come across an app that helps me when I need it, but otherwise let’s give our attention to what really matters — the world in front of us.