Humane Design Guide Use this worksheet to identify opportunities for Humane Technology.
What are Human Sensitivities?
Product or feature:
Human Sensitivites are instincts that are often vulnerable to new technologies.
Value proposition: Measure of success:
Human Sensitivity
Emotional What we feel in our body and in our physical health.
Attention How and where we focus our attention.
Sensemaking How we integrate what we sense with what we know.
Decisionmaking How we align our actions with our intentions.
Social Reasoning How we understand and navigate our personal relationships.
We are inhibited when
What inhibits
We are stressed, low on sleep, afraid or emotionally exhausted.
• • • •
Artificial scarcity Urgency signalling Constant monitoring Optimizing for screentime
Design engenders calm, balance, safety, pauses and supports circadian rhythms.
Attention is physiologically drawn, overwhelmed or fragmented.
• • • • •
Constant context switching Many undifferentiated choices Fearful information No stopping cues (e.g. infinite scroll) Unnecessary movement
Enabled to bring more focus and mindfulness.
Information is fear-based, out of context, confusing, or manipulative.
• • • •
Facts out of context Over-personalized filters Equating virality with credibility Deceptive authority (ads vs. content)
Enabled to consider, learn, express and feel grounded.
Intentions and agency are not solicited nor supported.
• • • •
Avatars to convey authority Stalking ads and messages Push content models Serving preference over intent
Enabled to gain agency, purpose, and mobilization of intent.
Status, relationships and self-image are manipulated.
• • • •
Quantified social status Viral sharing Implied obligation Enabling impersonation
Enabled to connect more safely and authentically with others.
Excluded, divided and mobilized through fear.
• • • •
SuppressIng views and nuance Enabling ad hominem or hate speech Enabling viral outrage Lack of agreed-upon norms
Enabled to develop a sense of belonging and cooperation.
Group Dynamics How we navigate larger groups, status, and shared understanding.
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We are supported when
Opportunity to improve High
Low
Now rank the sensitivities 1-6 based on what you now see as the largest opportunities for Humane Design. Then use the second sheet to develop an action statement.
Source: CHT