At a talk not to long ago with Sean Thielen and Sirsu, Sirsu dropped the take that Normie was a derogatory term. And I tend to agree, but I think its more than that. I believe there needs to be a fundamental shift in how not only we create products, but how we decide to invite people into using those products. The way that we have integrated technology into our lives has radically shifted the image of "who" is a technologist. What used to feel like a niche, a divide, a place that people went to a mountain or secluded place to use the newest things and then bring them back to the people are over. We no longer have to wait for others to give us fire, anyone can make it.
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In this current cycle, a majority of themes have around AI, meme coins, and the lack of taste in and around the tech space. But there has been fatigue with the general public. People were excited for a period and a portion were skeptical. The anointed tech superiors came shouting from the mountain tops, but have not produced a significant change. More has come from the open source movements and small teams than the VC funded behemoths. On top of that predatory behavior has run rampant, giving skewed perspectives on what you can do with these tools. Yet even with that, more people are engaging with the tech on more varied levels than ever before.
But why does this issue of two sides still exist? That of the technologists and "normies". We see constant debates on VC's and engineers needing humanities, and needing to dumb things down for the basic consumer, but I think there is something fundamentally overlooked from this bifurcation. What's overlooked is acknowledging that technology, in its current form, is part of everyday life. And that is to say, we need to stop making products with this idea that not only do we need to obscure the products, but that we should be meeting consumers at a level of understanding that parts of our culture is technology engrained. There is no normie, they know how to post, use capcut to edit a video, make a generation on midjourney, and play pokemon go. Most who consider themselves technologist, might be trendsetters. Emergent technology is still important, but when anyone with a cell phone can trade meme coins, swap a token, play with a AR skin, we are belittling our audience and it in turn causes the products, the designs, to fall flat. To be distant. To not be grounded in reality.
The shift needed is cultivating a more human approach with technology. It's no longer only about building a magical box that will blow minds. Chipped is a brand that is merging a fashionable product like nails, and infusing tech into it. I watched as many people lined up to go to Winny's pop up during fashion week, a tech company, maybe better to call it a culture company. She is leading ahead with intertwining design, tech, culture, but not at any point made treated its community as incapable users who are not capable of figuring things out. The culture is different. Chipped gets it.
Another is Receipts. Receipts is focused on giving users new and fun ways to utilize their fitness data, to the benefit that it helps them not only connect with friends, but possibly use that to get products that further aid in their fitness pursuits. They understand whats missing not just in fitness apps, but in fitness as whole. Its only because they are embedded in the culture. Understanding motivations, how to inspire. Approaching from a human stand point on how the tool could be useful, not to be shameful, but to motivate. And the best part of that is doing it with your community and friends. But they aren't coming down from olympia declaring that we have solved how to make your running more productive. Lets overly optimize your fitness to your advantage.
The generational divide has flattened. Technology used to separate generations. Radio, TV, computers, Smart Phones. Now, as the internet has evolved, it's collapsed into one space where everything exists, both digital and physical. There are only internet eras or epochs imo. Things trickle down much faster than they did before.
As a creative technologist, this influences my approach to design and with projects I want to make. I still have an affinity for cyberpunk future yet fully realized, but the world is now filled with spectacular technology. What was impossible 10-15 years ago is much more achievable with AI assists and more software tools at your disposal. In theory, you could use replit to build a whole website or app, deploy it and get into products all from an Ipad. I believe we are only on the precipice of new products, new ways of living, and ways that culture will grow from its roots.
Try it yourself - dodge enemies with real-time physics. Here's how I created the game + a cloneable character controller project
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My call for those in the tech space: go out and engage with the rest of the world. Join communities with interests that aren't just constantly focused on productive apps that can generate insane revenue. You aren't building anything relevant because you assume too much without actual context. They won't be as impressed if you're creating from an elevated position without consideration. Conversely, it's an ideal time for people to create products and design using previously inaccessible technology. Anything from smart wearables, applications, etc. Its pretty wide open.
We need to treat everyone as technologists. This mindset allows us to develop more human approaches and get inspired by possibilities as we acknowledge how we're all evolving. Technology is all around us. There is no normie. It no longer exists. There are just different types of people with different preferences interfacing with technology to connect with the things they care about. Considering this approach would make newer innovations that matter.
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Exploring a shift in tech culture, @chromuh discusses the term "normie" as outdated. Embracing technology's place in daily life means recognizing everyone as technologists. By fostering inclusive, community-centered approaches, we innovate ethically and meaningfully in a diverse digital landscape.