In an era where technology promises to eliminate life’s inconveniences, the allure of a frictionless existence is undeniable. From ordering food with a tap on UberEats to streaming endless entertainment on TikTok, the digital age has made it easier than ever to bypass the small hurdles of daily life. However, as we increasingly rely on technology to smooth out life’s wrinkles, experts suggest we might be losing something essential in the process.
Since its inception, Silicon Valley has championed the idea of a seamless life, where technology minimizes effort and maximizes convenience. Yet, this drive towards frictionlessness raises questions about what we sacrifice in pursuit of ease. In a recent episode of The New York Times podcast The Ezra Klein Show, economic commentator Kyla Scanlon explored the idea that a little friction might actually enrich our lives.
The Value of Friction
“Basically, the idea of friction is that there is value in things being a tiny bit difficult,” Scanlon explained. “When we use digital tools, there really isn’t a lot of friction. For instance, dating apps make dating very easy. DoorDash makes getting things to your house very easy. You can have this frictionless existence, whereas in the physical world, there’s a lot of friction.”
Dr. Tim Sharp, a psychologist and founder of The Happiness Institute, echoes this sentiment. “When friction disappears, we miss some of the richest parts of life: serendipity, connection, and meaning,” he says. “The small inconveniences, such as walking to pick up dinner or striking up a conversation with a neighbor, are often where community, connection, and very often joy live.”
Reconnecting with Humanity
Sharp’s insights highlight a growing trend towards embracing the tangible and imperfect aspects of life. This shift is evident in the resurgence of activities that foster real-world connections, such as run clubs and in-person events. The pandemic has further underscored the importance of these interactions, as many people found themselves craving the human touch that digital platforms cannot replicate.
Andrea Carter, a Canadian organizational scientist, has researched the role of friction in fostering belonging, particularly in the workplace. “Friction is an intrinsic part of belonging,” she notes. “Yet we’ve optimized our way towards convenience, often at great cost to our humanity and our ability to move through adversity.”
“Right now, the biggest issue is we actually don’t have the infrastructure to move through [friction] anymore,” says Carter. “This is where we’re going to avoid, we’re going to ghost, we’re going to withdraw.”
The Ethical Dimension of Convenience
The ethical implications of a frictionless existence are also worth considering. Author Jakko Kemper, in his book Frictionlessness: The Silicon Valley Philosophy of Seamless Technology and the Aesthetic Value of Imperfection, examines how digital consumer technologies often obscure the environmental and human costs behind their seamless interfaces.
For instance, the convenience of fast fashion brands like Shein often comes at the expense of ethical labor practices. Similarly, the ease of using AI tools like ChatGPT can overshadow the significant resources required to power such technologies.
Reintroducing Friction: A Path Forward
As society grapples with these challenges, some are advocating for a conscious reintroduction of friction into our lives. Kathryn Jezer-Morton, writing for The Cut, coined the term “Friction-Maxxing” to describe this approach. It’s about choosing human interaction over convenience and embracing the messiness of life as a source of growth and happiness.
Ultimately, while technology offers incredible benefits, it cannot replace the profound connections and experiences that come from engaging with the world around us. As Dr. Sharp suggests, “Positive psychology tells us that wellbeing is deeply rooted in relationships, engagement, and purposeful action.”
In a world increasingly dominated by screens and algorithms, finding balance may lie in embracing the very friction we’ve been taught to avoid. By doing so, we may discover a richer, more connected existence.
