Week 10 Reading Response

In the article A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design, Bret Victor critiques the current state of interactive design by highlighting our reliance on “pictures under glass” aka electronic technology using screens. He argues that they over usage of them limits the way we interact with the digital world. Victor argues that by only using our fingers to complete so many different tasks, we lack the tactile experience. An ultimately cut ourselves short of the full potential of our hands, which are intended for so much more complex and creative things. Furthermore, he envisions a future where technology engages all of our senses and thus, feels more real, bridging the gap between our physical existence and digital experience. His perspective is interesting to me because it sheds light on how we as a society are not reaching our full potential, making us creatively lazy.  I also really enjoyed his argument because it made me think of the show Black mirror, which critiques society in a similar manner and provides dystopian snapshots of what we may be on track to become.

The second article is an additional piece providing reflection on what the audience thought and Victor’s responses to that. I particularly enjoyed this section because it posed a lot of interesting opinions and arguments that I, myself thought of and agreed with while reading both articles. All in all, I think this gave an unique look at how we must balance the present of technology in interactive media and design. It is a tool with endless capabilities but we cannot let the excitement of the unknown limit us from the potential of what we still can grow. I hope to apply these principals in my design process as I find ways to combine modern and innovative technology with traditional and reliable physical experiences.

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