Lecture Notes: Understanding Habituation and Product Design

Introduction

• Reference to a scene from "The Blues Brothers"
• Highlights how humans quickly become accustomed to everyday occurrences

Key Concept: Habituation

• Definition: A process where the brain encodes everyday actions into habits
• Purpose: Frees up cognitive space for new learning
• Examples of Habituation:
  • Fruit Sticker:
    • Initially frustrating to remove the sticker
    • Over time, becomes a routine action
  • Learning to Drive:
    • Initial difficulty and high alertness
    • Gradual ease leading to a more relaxed experience

Importance of Noticing Problems

• Comedians as Observers:
  • Example: Jerry Seinfeld noticing everyday absurdities
  • Importance of noticing the unnoticed
• Case Study: Mary Anderson
  • Invented the first windshield wiper
  • Saw a problem that others accepted as a given

Lessons from Steve Jobs at Apple

• Focus on Customer Experience:
  • Stay beginners: view products from the customer’s perspective
  • Importance of addressing small details
• Example: iPod Battery Issue
  • Previous expectation: "Charge before use"
  • Solution: Ensure products are fully charged at purchase

Tips for Fighting Habituation

1. Look Broader:

   • Consider the entirety of the problem
   • Example: Thermostat design evolution
   • Original programming led to poor energy savings; machine-learning algorithm improved outcomes

2. Look Closer:

   • Pay attention to small details
   • Example: Screw design for products
   • Focus on creating a single, effective solution

3. Think Younger:

   • Encourage curiosity and fresh perspectives
   • Children ask questions that challenge the status quo
   • Example: Questions from the speaker’s children

Conclusion

• Reiterate the importance of seeing the world anew
• Encourage a mindset of curiosity and improvement
• Call to action: "How can I experience the world better?"
• Aim for better product design and innovation

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Final Remark:

• The challenge is to overcome habituation to solve "invisible problems" and create impactful solutions.