Invisibility is in the Medium of the Beholder
Re-Reading McLuhan Part 3
Marshall McLuhan's observations about media were profound and far-reaching. He famously stated that the "medium is the message," implying that the medium itself shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action. As design becomes more intuitive and pervasive, it tends to fade into the background, becoming "invisible." This invisibility, while beneficial in many ways, raises ethical concerns that designers must address in our interconnected, digital age.
Transparent Foundations
The more seamless a design is, the easier it is to forget about its underlying mechanisms. Users might remain oblivious to the data being collected or the algorithms that influence their decisions.
Focus for Design: Implement transparent design principles. This could involve clear terms of service, intuitive control settings, or visual cues that remind users of what's happening "behind the scenes."
Consequences of Invisibility
As McLuhan pointed out, every medium amplifies certain human faculties while diminishing others. When design becomes invisible, users might not recognize what they're sacrificing or neglecting.
Focus for Design: Design should incorporate periodic touchpoints or reflections that help users understand the broader implications of their interactions with a medium.
Respecting User Autonomy
When the medium is invisible, there's a risk that it can manipulate users without their knowledge. This could be in the form of echo chambers on social media platforms or subtle nudges that prioritize a platform's goals over a user's needs.
Focus for Design: Prioritize user empowerment. Give users control, provide them with options, and be transparent about the implications of each choice.
Ethical Defaults
Invisibility often translates to users accepting default settings, trusting that the platform has their best interests at heart. However, these defaults can sometimes prioritize the business's interests over the user's.
Focus for Design: Ethical considerations should guide default settings, ensuring that user privacy, safety, and well-being are prioritized.
Digital Literacy
In a world where design is invisible, there's an increased responsibility to educate users about the digital landscape so they can navigate it safely and effectively.
Focus for Design: Create educational touchpoints within platforms and tools that teach users about digital best practices, potential risks, and the broader implications of their online behaviors.
Unintended Consequences
McLuhan understood that every technology or medium has unintended consequences. When design is invisible, these unintended outcomes can surface without notice and cause significant societal shifts.
Focus for Design: Regularly revisit and assess designs, seeking feedback from a diverse user base. Be willing to adapt and modify based on the emerging consequences of the design.
Balancing Efficiency and Awareness
While invisibility in design can lead to incredible efficiency and ease of use, it shouldn't result in users becoming passive consumers, unaware of the mechanics at play.
Focus for Design: Strive for a balance where design simplifies complex tasks but also encourages users to be active participants, understanding and influencing the systems they engage with.
