The Seven Deadly Sins of Consumer Technology and the Power of Improvement by Subtraction

The Seven Deadly Sins of Consumer Technology and the Power of Improvement by Subtraction

Introduction:
The seven deadly sins have transcended religious boundaries and found their place in our pop culture vernacular. These vices, deeply rooted in human nature, have also seeped into the realm of consumer technology. From pride to sloth, envy to wrath, and everything in between, our behaviors and desires drive the growth of consumerism, capitalism, and culture. In this article, we will explore how these sins manifest themselves in various consumer technologies and delve into the concept of improvement by subtraction.

Pride: LinkedIn and Strava
In the realm of professional networking, LinkedIn personifies pride. Users curate and admire their own achievements, showcasing their professional success to others. Strava, on the other hand, taps into the pride of athletes, allowing them to display their biking or running accomplishments. Both platforms thrive on the innate need for recognition and self-validation.

Sloth: Netflix and Gaming
Netflix, with its convenient streaming service, has become the epitome of sloth. We can now access a vast library of movies and TV shows without leaving our couches. However, the gaming industry takes sloth to new heights. With virtual worlds and the rise of the metaverse, our bodies remain motionless while our minds explore limitless digital realms.

Envy: Social Media and Crypto Wallets
Social media platforms thrive on comparison, making envy a driving force behind their success. Instagram disruptors promise authenticity, but even authenticity can become performative over time. Crypto wallets and virtual showrooms like Decentraland fuel envy by allowing users to showcase their wealth and possessions in the digital realm.

Greed: Investing Apps and Gamified Food Ordering
Investing apps have transformed the way we approach wealth accumulation, representing the modern face of greed. These platforms entice users to constantly seek more financial gains. Similarly, gamified food ordering apps like Snackpass make the act of ordering food a game, rewarding users with points and encouraging them to spend more.

Lust: Dating Apps and Creator Platforms
Tinder revolutionized online dating by focusing primarily on looks-based matching. Its success lies in appealing to our desires and baser instincts. Grindr, the gay chat app, has also capitalized on lust, rivaling the engagement levels of major social media platforms. Lust also fuels the success of creator platforms, where sex sells and intimate content gains popularity.

Wrath: Twitter, Review-based Apps, and DoNotPay
Twitter has become a breeding ground for anger, with users expressing their wrath on a daily basis. Review-based apps like Yelp also thrive on users' angry reviews. DoNotPay, a "robot lawyer" service, taps into the rage individuals feel when faced with various legal issues, offering a platform to sue those who have wronged them.

Vanity and Acedia: Instagram and Lightricks
Vanity, closely tied to envy, finds its perfect breeding ground on social media platforms such as Instagram. Users carefully curate their image and seek validation through likes and followers. Lightricks, the maker of Facetune, takes vanity to another level by providing tools for editing and enhancing one's appearance. Acedia, a forgotten sin, represents apathy and listlessness—a lack of concern for one's position in the world.

The Power of Improvement by Subtraction:
While the seven deadly sins drive consumer technology, there is also value in focusing on improvement by subtraction. Rather than constantly seeking to do more things right, we can achieve significant gains by avoiding tiny losses. Japanese companies exemplify this approach by focusing on eliminating mistakes and reducing complexity, resulting in significant improvements without the need for radical change.

Actionable Advice:

1. Identify areas of consumer technology where your behaviors align with the seven deadly sins. Reflect on how these platforms influence your thoughts, emotions, and actions.
2. Practice improvement by subtraction in your own life. Identify habits, behaviors, or technologies that are negatively impacting your well-being or productivity and take steps to eliminate or reduce them.
3. Be mindful of the impact of comparison and envy on your mental health. Consider taking breaks from social media or curating your feed to prioritize authentic and uplifting content.

Conclusion:
Consumer technology has become intertwined with our most fundamental vices, shaping our behaviors and desires. From pride to sloth, envy to wrath, the seven deadly sins influence the growth and success of various platforms. However, we also have the power to improve by subtraction, focusing on eliminating mistakes and reducing complexity. By being mindful of our behaviors and making conscious choices, we can navigate the world of consumer technology in a way that aligns with our values and enhances our lives.