How to Ethically Manipulate Your Users

How to Ethically Manipulate Your Users. In this interview, Bryan Farris, President of Goldfish Code, breaks down the framework of "motivation-driven design" rooted in behavioral psychology. We explore the fine line between positive engagement and psychological manipulation, discussing "white hat" techniques (like creating a bigger purpose for your community ) versus "black hat" techniques (like using the fear of loss, which the host argues is central to Slack's business model ). Bryan also explains why every product design is just a "hypothesis" until proven with data , how traveling to 137 countries has shaped his business strategy , and why he believes humans are ultimately motivated by being part of something bigger than themselves. Check out the company: https://goldfishcode.com

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🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Is Empathy a Tool for Manipulation?

07:20 - Why Your Product Design Is Just a Hypothesis

11:02 - The Framework for "Ethical Manipulation"

14:56 - "Black Hat" vs. "White Hat" Motivation

18:50 - The Slack Example: Motivating with Fear

22:40 - The Waze Example: Motivating with Purpose

30:01 - How Traveling to 137 Countries Made Me a Better Strategist

40:48 - Autonomy vs. Fear of Loss: What's Your Core Motivation?

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