Why We Love to Push Buttons & Why We All Need to Play Games
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Jul 1, 2024
Explore the power of romantic music in igniting love. Discover the fascination with pushing buttons and its impact on society. Uncover the importance of games in our lives and why humans are wired to play. Delve into the history and psychology of buttons, from their origins to their cultural significance. Learn about the significance of feedback in usability and the psychology behind engaging with technological interfaces.
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insights INSIGHT
Buttons' Impact
Buttons are everywhere, integrated into our daily lives, yet often invisible.
Their ubiquity makes it important to consider their impact on our interactions and experiences.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Button Semantics
The word "button" has multiple meanings, from clothing fasteners to interactive activators.
This versatility reflects the simple yet adaptable nature of push buttons as a technology.
insights INSIGHT
Button Origins
Early activators included levers, switches, and ropes for bells and fire alarms.
Push buttons emerged with industrialization and electrification, offering an easier way to activate things like bells, fire alarms and later automatic elevators.
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We all have a sense of what romantic music is. But can that type of music really make you feel and act romantic? This episode begins with some interesting evidence on the power of music in the game of love. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618112139.htm
Look around you and notice all the buttons you could push. Buttons are everywhere. When you think about it, you can do almost anything with “just the push of a button.” And people like really pushing buttons – even when it is pointless. For example, pushing the elevator button after it is already lit or pushing the crosswalk button over and over to try to change the light. Buttons are a fairly recent invention and they have changed our world. Here to explain how and dive deep into the world of buttons is Rachel Plotnick. She’s an assistant professor of Cinema and Media Studies at Indiana University and author of Power Button: A History of Pleasure, Panic, and the Politics of Pushing (https://amzn.to/3xvIj5j)
It seems we are wired to play games – board games, card games, sports, gambling – we love to play games. But why? Are games just a fun way to play – a distraction from work? Or are games doing something much more important than that? Joining me to reveal why humans need games and what they do for us is Kelly Clancy. She is a neuroscientist and physicist who has held research positions at MIT, Berkeley, University College London and she is author of the book, Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World (https://amzn.to/3W02BNR)
Something You Should Know