Writer Ian Bogost says ‘The Small Stuff’ can help us reclaim our lives from too much convenience

Writer and academic Ian Bogost’s forthcoming book, The Small Stuff, explores how convenience-focused design has distanced people from sensory experiences in daily life. He argues that cars, doors, bathrooms, and other ordinary objects have become dematerialized, reducing opportunities for gratification in the physical world.

Bogost’s critique points to a growing backlash against frictionless design, where efficiency can come at the cost of meaning and engagement. For tech companies, the opportunity may be designing products that preserve human agency and tactile experience rather than simply removing every inconvenience.