Reimagining the Human in Technology — an introduction
By: Immuniti Health
Tags: Technology, Wellbeing, Evolution, Life, Health

Our Manifesto: An Equal Footing for the Emergence of a Humane Business Model

At Immuniti Health, we propose a humane and harmonious way of designing technology where it feels less stressful and dominating, and allows us to become more of who we want to be. This approach requires us to shift towards supporting human values and personal growth as opposed to the dopamine-hit-focused designs that a majority of current systems use. We could ask ourselves, what are we more likely to remember? A virtual story that has a shelf-life of limited hours in service of temporary viewership and instant gratification, or tangible moments that matter and real experiences that enrich and connect us? When we put ourselves in the center of this design opportunity, we can encourage a ground-up shift that enables many kinds of people to thrive and nurture personalized self-growth that would further impact their communities. So instead of people having to manage the extreme effects of mental wellbeing or the lack of it, there is an opportunity to focus on intentionality, time management, defining a person’s unique sense of self, thereby finding one’s equilibrium. It is to find a state of flow instead of a new trend that supports short term popularity, and status-driven highs with dangerous long term impacts.

This philosophy of technology would potentially nurture and evolve with the people who subscribe to it, which would allow a shift from a self-centered and yet an estranged sense of self to an evolving, growth-seeking one. From this new perspective, wellbeing will accompany and enlighten, and not just be a solution to extreme stress, burnout, or loneliness. This may look like learning how to destress in our stressful lives, or learning how to create real connections in light and safe ways. As author Stewart Brand remarks, “The urgent finds you; you have to find the important. Importance is not fast. It is slow. It is not superficial. It is deep. And as a result, it’s extremely powerful. When important matters go wrong, they undermine everything. When they go right, they sustain everything.”

Not only will an approach like this create room for consistent wellbeing, but it could establish a sense of accountability for the creators to shape humane and principled design models and roadmaps. This will enable new narratives for positive reinforcements where a person’s achievements and markers will be focused on self-paced care and individual recognition as opposed to real impacts of the illusion of virtual competition. It potentially builds the promise of a new language and a way of thinking where technology and humans navigate and evolve together- where human values come first and are non-negotiable. It might prompt us to put our phones away hours before bedtime so that we can sleep better, encourage us to experience real moments with our loved ones, or evoke nostalgia.

When technology is offered in this way, it provides agency to individuals and impacts them and their immediate circles. Currently, one succumbs, has a fatalistic, helpless point of view, or disconnects. This approach offers a connection through heart and mindfulness into technology, to use it as an empathic guide and confidant.