The Intersection of Human Behavior and Consumer Technology

The Intersection of Human Behavior and Consumer Technology

Consumer technology is driven by human behavior, and it's no surprise that the seven deadly sins play a role in shaping our tech vocabulary. Each of the seven sins is represented in different consumer products and services. For instance, referral programs work best for certain kinds of products, and the success of these programs can be measured by the number of new users they bring in. Intrinsic rewards, such as points, work best for these programs rather than extrinsic rewards like money.

Human behavior is also the driving force behind social networks, which do best when they tap into one of the seven deadly sins. LinkedIn, for instance, personifies pride, as people love to curate and admire their own achievements. Strava, on the other hand, lets athletes show off their accomplishments, making it an excellent example of sloth.

Comparison is the root of envy, and social media is built on comparison. Even authenticity becomes performative over time, and crypto wallets and virtual showrooms are the best modern examples of envy.

Greed has been signified by the rise of investing apps, while Gluttony is exemplified in Snackpass, a social takeout app that gamifies food. Lust is the driving force behind dating apps like Tinder and Grindr, as well as fan subscription services. Lastly, wrath is expressed through Twitter and review-based apps like Yelp, while apathy or listlessness is the forgotten sin, Acedia.

In conclusion, human behavior is the engine of consumerism, capitalism, and culture. The seven deadly sins are a classification of our most fundamental vices, and they play an important role in shaping our consumer technology. While referral programs and social networks work best for certain kinds of products, comparison, envy, greed, gluttony, lust, wrath, and acedia all have their place in the world of consumer tech.