DiscoverLessWrong (30+ Karma)“Re: “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design”” by Raemon
“Re: “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design”” by Raemon

“Re: “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design”” by Raemon

Update: 2025-12-29
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A decade+ ago, there was this post A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design, which noted that we seem to be designing all our devices to have smooth glass omni-interfaces.

And when you look at like Marvel Movies that depict the Near Future, it's basically the same thing except holograms:

Which is 3D which is nice, but, there's something fundamentally... sad/improverished about it.

The essay notes:

Before we think about how we should interact with our Tools Of The Future, let's consider what a tool is in the first place.

I like this definition: A tool addresses human needs by amplifying human capabilities.

That is, a tool converts what we can do into what we want to do. A great tool is designed to fit both sides.

In this rant, I'm not going to talk about human needs. Everyone talks about that; it's the single most popular conversation topic in history.

And I'm not going to talk about technology. That's the easy part, in a sense, because we control it. Technology can be invented; human nature is something we're stuck with.

I'm going to talk about that neglected third factor, human capabilities. What people can do. Because [...]

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First published:

December 28th, 2025



Source:

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/2QieLLPnohY8N6oNe/re-a-brief-rant-on-the-future-of-interaction-design


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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.


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Images from the article:

Six panels showing hands interacting with futuristic touchscreen interfaces and holographic displays.
Elon Musk uses Iron Man-inspired holographic 3-D user interface to print a  rocket part
Two hands pointing at each other framing the word
Hands Manipulate Things logo
Diagram showing hammer labeled with need, tool, and capability components.
Hammer with ergonomic handle design highlighting head and grip features.
Six panels showing hands interacting with futuristic touchscreen interfaces and holographic displays.
Person's hands holding open and turning a page in a book.
Person holding a tall glass of dark beer.
Person playing virtual piano keyboard on tablet device.
Hands holding smartphone displaying review proposal form with green accents.
Person pointing at tablet displaying Chapter 6: Harvesting the Wind presentation.
Child painting with orange and blue paint; dirty car needing wash.
Grid of nine photos showing hands holding various objects: pen, toothbrush, wooden stick, bowling ball, bird, red fabric, banana, blackberries, and nuts.
Four hand grips demonstrated: power, precision, hook, and scissor grips.
Two-step jar opening technique demonstration: power grip, then precision grip.

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“Re: “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design”” by Raemon

“Re: “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design”” by Raemon