
Rather than promotion of digital as answer to everything I would like to see more conversation on emotional struggles in the Internet era.
— Per Axbom (@axbom) May 30, 2016
Per Axbom’s tweet, written in frustration about digital often seen as the answer to everything, stirred a range of emotions in me. On the one hand, I was quick to agree with the statement, thinking about how commonplace the digital tools have become in our daily lives. They’ve become so mundane and we have become so accustomed to them, that we’ve started appreciating the tools more than what they help us accomplish or who they enable us to be.
@axbom while I see your point, I don’t know if the two should be separate. One should be the starting point, the other is part of solution.
— Artem Pereverzev (@clartem) May 30, 2016
On the other hand, I couldn’t help thinking how the technological achievements of the relatively short period of time would not have been possible, if someone somewhere didn’t go, “I wonder how I can eliminate the imperfections that physical things limit me to?” and didn’t think of making ones and zeros do the job for them.
We arrive at lasting change, when we aren’t satisfied with the existing order. In our heads, problems require solution. In our attempts at finding it, we tend to focus more on the nature of the solution rather than the problem. I believe that, in part, the technological advancements are to blame for it.
It is crucial that we consider, understand and address the real need in the solutions we promote for a given problem. Often, it’s easier said than done. Eric Meyer and Sara Wachter-Boettcher’s book Design for Real Life has had a profound effect on how I view creating processes and designing flows that serve humans and solve problems. Eric and Sara rekindled my love for looking beyond the obvious. A highly recommended read for anyone in touch with humans!
@axbom @clartem I took it as a dig at the “offline denial syndrome” that often exists. Sometimes non-digital is simpler & better
— James Royal-Lawson (@beantin) May 30, 2016
Later, Per followed up on his original tweet, by proposing the discussion about offline solutions to digital problems as an alternative:
Just as there are digital solutions to offline problems I believe we need to consider more that there are offline solutions to digital ones.
— Per Axbom (@axbom) May 30, 2016
I like the idea of breaking free from the hypnosis of the “offline denial syndrome”, as James puts it. Maybe the medium is not the answer. Maybe online and offline aren’t rivals, struggling for minutes they get to be used as solutions. If we see them as tools, maybe it would be easier to consider the problem first. A wrench and a hammer serve different purposes. A wrench can be used as a hammer, but it really shines its purpose as a wrench.