On friction, apps and worth
Here a small change with large repercussions in my daily life:
- opening links in the Default browser rather than in the in-app browser.
I believe since the option was given, I have always opened links in the in-app browser, and the reason was simple, having a quick look while staying in the current experience, in other words, reduce friction.
The importance of friction
(Doing my worst impersonation of Gordon Gekko)
The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that friction, for lack of a better word, is good. Friction is right. Friction works. Friction clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.
Friction is putting down the newspaper (now phone) when your wife is talking to you across the table.
Friction is going down to your knees when your kid pulls your trousers for attention.
Friction is taking the next bus once you bump into an old friend at the bust stop.
Friction is saying that what you do is worth your time and attention, and the reverse, that you are worth spending time and attention on the activity you are doing.
The dictatorship of the flow
Flow is a wonderful thing, when intentional, left at itself, it is a recretional drug at first, and an heavy addiction later.
Breaking out of the induced flow of an app is regaining sovereignty over your attention and agency: you are chosing to do something, rather than being led to do it.
The comeback
I have spend a good part of my life removing friction, optimising things, make them faster, simpler, smoother, and i was very successful with it, and I will keep some of that easy-mode on, but for other things, things that deserve it, I am now reintroducing and reinforcing friction - and I love it.