Aside from the final Gif of of the ‘Carlton dance,’ I did not enjoy trying to solve this problem. I played for about twenty minutes one day and then gave up because I felt it was a waste of my time. I love games, puzzles, and cooperative work, but the User Inyerface game by Baggar.be is a game of deception, reminiscent of the frustrations faced in online interactions. Returning to the game a few days later, I was more aware of the puzzles and tricks the site may use to challenge the player. Many aspects of the game serve the purpose of “a baggar frustration”, such as the timing box, matching the age range with only four possible months and 120 years, the hidden options of select all or unselect all, and the help box that notes you are the 457th person in line. I wonder if this is how my Grandmother felt when she would call me and ask for help logging on to her facebook…
The practices employed in this game are referred to as dark patterns, and as Tristan Harris mentions in his Ted Talk, “How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day,” internet companies compete in a race for attention and use persuasion tactics that have become more visceral and covert to appeal to human’s lizard brain. This reminds me of the book by Martha Hamilton, “Going Reptile,” as it looks how situations at work and in personal relationships trigger action or inaction – “the reptile inside us.” Looking further at online marketing practices, guides suggest appealing to pain, fear, emotion, and ego. As Harris mentions in his Ted Talk, we need to reimagine what is time well spent and hopefully go further to change the capitalist systems of inequality which pray on the lizard brain and insecurities of humanity. It seems much easier to quit and cancel all social media than to demand equitable change to this corrupt system.
Harris, T. (2017). How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/tristan_harris_the_manipulative_tricks_tech_companies_use_to_capture_your_attention?language=en
Hi Emily,
I think that this game is a good example of how different companies have “trained” us with the setup of different user interfaces. Clicking buttons that “light up” clicking boxes for terms and conditions (without reading) and other things that we do subconsciously. As an ICT teacher I find it frustrating with some students that students have been trained to close all pop-up windows. This is an issue because with many of our programs that we use, a pop-up when our program fails usually tell us what was wrong and needs to be fixed. So I usually stress with students that they need to read everything before they click.
Hi Emily (and Mr Ko)
First Emily, I am so glad someone else took 20 minutes and had to retry again. As a non-digital native , I really struggled with the task but like you went back to it. After listening to Tristan Harris and the readings, I became very suspicious And distrusting of the site. I even checked out the Bagaar site wondering just who are these evil beings? (They actually seem quite nice.). I also initially thought my pop-up blocker was my causing all my problems.
So my question for both of you (especially Mr Ko) is did you read the terms and conditions? I do not believe many did because there is no way they completed it in less than 3:00 if they did. As ever I am suspicious ????. Finally, way to preserver Emily!
Hi Emily,
I appreciate your frustration on this. I went over the 30 minute mark. Your post made me reflect on the role we play as teachers, especially with students who have special needs, to create digital interfaces that don’t leave them outside the loop. Congratulations on finishing up your MET.
Here is the link to my linking assignment.
https://blogs.ubc.ca/ryandoreyinetec540/linking-6/