Reading this chapter made me realize how often we misuse the word “interactive.” Before, I thought anything that let me click, tap, or control something was interactive. But Crawford argues that real interactivity is more than just pressing buttons—it’s about a meaningful exchange between the user and the system. A slideshow where I click “next” isn’t really interactive because it doesn’t respond in a thoughtful way. It just follows a script. This made me think about how many things we call interactive today—like online quizzes or simple video games—are actually just reacting, not truly engaging with the user. It kind of changed how I look at apps and games because I started noticing which ones actually respond to my choices and which ones just make me feel like they do.
One of the most interesting points Crawford makes is his comparison between interactivity and conversation. A real conversation isn’t just one person talking while the other nods—it’s about listening, responding, and adapting to what the other person says. I never really thought about technology in that way, but it makes sense. The best apps, games, or even websites feel like they “listen” to you and react in a way that makes sense, while others just follow a script no matter what you do. It made me appreciate good design more, and it also made me think about how this applies to real life. Even with people, there’s a difference between actually engaging with someone and just waiting for your turn to talk. Crawford’s ideas stuck with me because they apply to more than just interactive design—they apply to how we communicate and connect in general.