Many tech companies didn't go out to create lonely customers, but once they realised, they couldn't do anything about it due to the stresses of engagement rates and, of course, money. Take, for example, Tinder, which is in the business of connecting people but has an algorithm desperately trying to get you hooked so you stay forever, much like Hinge, which says, ' designed to be deleted but reward you with lower subscription costs for more extended packages. When we started Mattr, we knew that if our app (dating) were successful, we would lose users; we also realised that having an infinite choice was damaging to mental health but was one-way leading players made money. So we developed a new business model where users always get value with less options, alongside a way of keeping you involved with our business even when you have found a partner.
Spot on. Tech has made it easier to be self-reliant (good!), but it's also atomized societies and frayed our relationships (less helpful).
Automobiles solved major problems, like cities drowning in horse droppings. But we eventually noticed the NOX problems and moved to catalytic converters. The next wave of social tech needs to clean up after itself too.
Love your categorizations - goes much wider than my old mental model of social and really highlights the major themes of The Great Dissolve. More importantly, helps us think about possible fixes and trends that might even exacerbate current loneliness.
There's an additional dimension that might complement this listing of the major loneliness sectors - how does technology work for/against the emotions that drive them?
For example (because my company works in Friendships), ever since current platforms energized cancel culture, people have responded by reducing trust and keeping interactions superficial outside a tiny circle of friends. The only way to restore strong bonds is to make it safe to be authentic with friends.
Thank you for the thought-provoking ideas - very useful!
Many tech companies didn't go out to create lonely customers, but once they realised, they couldn't do anything about it due to the stresses of engagement rates and, of course, money. Take, for example, Tinder, which is in the business of connecting people but has an algorithm desperately trying to get you hooked so you stay forever, much like Hinge, which says, ' designed to be deleted but reward you with lower subscription costs for more extended packages. When we started Mattr, we knew that if our app (dating) were successful, we would lose users; we also realised that having an infinite choice was damaging to mental health but was one-way leading players made money. So we developed a new business model where users always get value with less options, alongside a way of keeping you involved with our business even when you have found a partner.
Spot on. Tech has made it easier to be self-reliant (good!), but it's also atomized societies and frayed our relationships (less helpful).
Automobiles solved major problems, like cities drowning in horse droppings. But we eventually noticed the NOX problems and moved to catalytic converters. The next wave of social tech needs to clean up after itself too.
Love your categorizations - goes much wider than my old mental model of social and really highlights the major themes of The Great Dissolve. More importantly, helps us think about possible fixes and trends that might even exacerbate current loneliness.
There's an additional dimension that might complement this listing of the major loneliness sectors - how does technology work for/against the emotions that drive them?
For example (because my company works in Friendships), ever since current platforms energized cancel culture, people have responded by reducing trust and keeping interactions superficial outside a tiny circle of friends. The only way to restore strong bonds is to make it safe to be authentic with friends.
Thank you for the thought-provoking ideas - very useful!
It feels less lonely to see someone else who cares about loneliness and innovation and also puts their cash where their mouth is.