“I didn't get into shareholder experience design, I got into user experience design.”

Tech used to seem magical. The first time I got on the internet, it absolutely blew my mind that all this could just be there! I miss that world where content wasn't optimized for capital, where people contributed because it was helpful, and don't get penalized by their work being used to make a corporation money.

When I started in tech, it was easy to find a job where they built something people wanted and needed. Now, I feel like most of the jobs just want to build whatever shareholders think is sexy. It's the shareholders, followed by execs, followed in a distant distant third by their own employees and customers. I didn't get into shareholder experience design, I got into user experience design.

The thing that is perhaps most insulting is the push to use tools (esp AI tools) for the sake of using them. Is it the best tool for the job? Is it a tool I feel comfortable using? Doesn't matter. Weird behavior!

I just want to solve problems for people. I used to be able to do that in tech/software, but I'm fairly convinced there's no more room for my kind in the industry and they'd like me to go. I guess I will.