I. Technology should require the smallest possible amount of attention
Introduction
The most successful technologies are those we use without thinking about using them. They can be fully visible, but our minds become so accustomed to them that we don't notice them except when we are using them or preparing to use them.
Technology should demand the least possible attention from people while still accomplishing its intended purpose. This principle, central to calm technology, suggests that the best technologies are visible, but pass-through. By pass-through, we mean that a tool becomes invisible when used.
- A pencil translates the mind to paper, and when accustomed to, disappears when we use it.
- When we wear eyeglasses, we look *through* them. We focus on the view, not the glass.
- A good pair of running shoes allows us to focus on running, not the shoes.
The Light Switch
When entering a dark room, a person can locate and operate a light switch without extra thought. The switch's simple binary operation (on/off) and consistent placement make possible to use the light switch without changing one's thought stream or placing extra cognitive load on the mind.
Behind the light switch is dangerous electricity and a safety standard around how to change out the electrical issue.
A good light switch is classic and normal. A person doesn't need to:
- Read instructions
- Look at the switch while using it
- Think about how it works
- Wonder about its current state
The light switch demonstrates how technology can become "calm" by requiring minimal cognitive engagement while providing maximum utility. We only think about light switches when they don't work as expected, allowing our attention to focus on more meaningful aspects of our environment.
Just as a light switch doesn't demand our attention to illuminate a room, well-designed technology should fade into the background of our awareness until we want to use it again.
