I may have mentioned before that our final assignment for Jodi Forlizzi’s Seminar 2 class is a 15-page paper on a topic of our choice. While I turned in a draft of this paper a few days ago, I am still having trouble saying what it is the paper is about.

Tomorrow, I have to give a two-minute presentation—what Jodi is calling Two Minute Madness—on my paper topic. Two minute madness has resulted in several hours of contemplation and frustration.

Naturally, I thought blogging might help. I’ll pretend you’re my audience, which of course, you are. How splendid.

Problem

User research revealed emotions of dependence, guilt, stress, and anxiety associated with Facebook, even while many positive aspects of the service were highlighted by the same users.

How can designers understand the influence of technology and social behavior on the relationships people have with social products?

Process

I examined social science research on the role of information and communication technology and the psychological effects of high use.

I reviewed slow technology, reflective design, and emergent interactions as possible approaches to interaction design that might inform the design of social products.

Conclusion

Increased information and communication technology may produce harmful psychological effects for people. Thus designs that increase interactions may increase harm.

Slow technology, reflective design, and emergent interactions seek design opportunities, often focusing on new interpretations and uses, rather than the unanticipated negative consequences. For social products, reflective design offers the best approach for socially responsible technology design, acknowledging a need for awareness of larger social and cultural aspects of interactions.

I’ll probably change my mind about all that in the morning. But thanks for listening.