A Very EnDora-thy Halloween

When EnDora-thy touches down in the technological realm of Oz, the radiant Glenda queries: "Are you here to improve tech or exploit it?" 

EnDora-thy's surprised response is, "Me? I’m just an observer!" She continues, "I thought all technocrats were driven solely by profit. Never met one that actually prioritizes the users."

—

In our age, technology is like magic we've commercialized and often overlooked. It is so pervasive that we often underestimate its influence. As AI continues to evolve and extend its reach, it becomes paramount for this "magic" to be wielded by the "good witches" of our time.

In the realm of product development, there's a shadowy concept known as "Dark User Experience Patterns." As someone observing Silicon Valley from the outside, I was startled to learn that these dubious practices are now the norm. Often, they're introduced under the seemingly innocent label of "growth hacking."

My recent interaction with Chat GPT about Facebook and Instagram's Dark UX Patterns was particularly revealing:

"Dark UX" strategies aim to trick or mislead users into making unintended actions. While they're not always illegal, they're definitely questionable as they prioritize business gains over user welfare.

Both Facebook and Instagram (now under the umbrella of Meta Platforms, Inc.) have drawn criticism for employing such tactics. Notable examples include:

1. **Infinite Scrolling**: A seemingly endless feed can result in prolonged user activity. Critics say it fosters addictive tendencies.

2. **Notification Overdrive**: They send numerous notifications, some arguably unnecessary, to boost user engagement.

3. **Complicated Privacy Settings**: Especially Facebook, making it difficult for users to control their own data.

4. **Presumptuous Default Settings**: Certain privacy settings are more public unless users specifically opt-out.

5. **Friend Suggestion Mysteries**: The "People You May Know" feature has faced backlash for its opaque recommendation logic.

6. **Obscured Decline Options**: Opting out of features might be discreetly hidden, while acceptance options are blatantly visible.

7. **Surprise Interface Revamps**: While often marketed as improvements, they can confuse users, making them more dependent on platform prompts.

8. **Engagement Lures**: Posts that ask users for interactions to manipulate visibility.

9. **Fleeting Content**: Features like Instagram's Stories, vanishing after 24 hours, potentially heighten platform dependence.

Some defend these practices as inherent to optimizing engagement and revenue. Yet, ongoing discussions about the ethics of digital design are far from over.

Mark Zuckerberg's recent appearance on the Huberman Lab podcast was quite revealing. Amidst an hour-long discussion on social media's effects on mental health, he seemed, ironically, like an AI trained on his own talking points, out of touch with the very users his platforms serve.

A few of Zuckerberg's blithely insights included:

• Nearly limitless time on social media is acceptable (he does allow for other “stuff” like “showers” and “eating”).

• Virtual relationships might be superior to real-life ones.

• The platforms may adjust content if it's negatively impacting a user's mood (thus keeping you on their platform longer).

On top of the dark UX patterns mentioned above, other serious concerns with social media that aren’t adequately being addressed include:

• the prevalence of bots

• account hacking

• privacy violations

• social media addiction

• human trafficking 

• deterioration of real-life relationships

• algorithms that promote divisive content

• effects on consumer debt

• effects on children

The usual defense for these issues is that a platform of this magnitude will inherently have both pros and cons. 

This begs the question: Can we imagine a social platform that retains its benefits while eliminating its downsides?

Breaking free from the clutches of dark UX patterns would be a significant step. But considering these patterns are deeply embedded in many platforms' revenue models, change might be more challenging than we think.

So, how do we tackle this?

1. Stop using the platforms that exploit users. 

2. Embrace alternative platforms that prioritize user well-being and where the “user” is also treated as a customer.

3. Support the positive changemakers in the world. Empower them, help them network, and be their champions. Mission and motivation matter.

EnDora-thy is committed to shedding light on dark UX patterns and is on a mission to build an antidote to social media that will effectively scale love. We hope to be the catalyst for change, symbolized by the bucket of glimmers, that can ultimately melt the Wicked Witches of the West. It's time for good witches to take the helm.

As we all navigate this digital “Oz”, where are we headed? 

Love him or hate him, objectively speaking, since his takeover of Twitter/X, Elon has taken steps towards eliminating some of these dark UX patterns as well as addressing X’s revenue model’s dependence on these practices. 

We, the users, hold the power, but change may not happen overnight. Coordinated actions, like a walkout, can make a difference. The path ahead remains uncertain, but history has shown that light always prevails over darkness.

Wishing you a magical Halloween!

xoxo,

EnDora-thy