The tech we actually want

There’s a bit of backlash against over-helping technologies— the kind of tech that assumes it knows better than you. It don’t. (lol).

Last summer, I was nearly crushed by an oncoming truck on a two-lane rural road. I was behind a farm tractor and was waiting for the perfect time to pass it. When I changed lanes, my car decided I had somehow lost my mind—and it had to protect me by slowing my car – so much so-- that the oncoming truck was now within range and I had to slam my breaks and quickly accelerate in the middle of my lane change. I’m an experienced driver, but I was lucky. 

Over-helping tech harms people every day—it is not intuitive – not respectful of human choice, consent, and sovereignty and maybe that’s the point.


This kind of over-helping, over-reach is everywhere and more consumers are simply opting-out. Do you want me to write this for you? NO. Do you want us to design a website with our space-age blah, blah? NO. Do you want us to tell you how much sleep you didn’t get last night? NO. Do you want your toaster connected to your phone app? NO. Do you want me to spell check this? YES.

“Assuming makes an ass out of you and me” was something we said at work 30 years ago. The wrong assumptions will always create policies and solutions, including tech, that nobody needs or wants.  Fact is that without wise and intelligent human beings, there can be no wise or intelligent products or tech.  


By Mayra Porrata
comments: mayra@solarapublishing.com
©2026 Solara Publishing, LLC

Location: United States

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