Design Thinking's Diminishing Magic

While initially seen as an empowering methodology that encourages creativity and problem-solving through empathy, design thinking faces significant criticism today. Detractors highlight its tendency to focus on superficial, novelty-driven ideas that fail to address deeper, systemic issues. This approach often results in unrealistic recommendations that do not create meaningful change or challenge existing inequities, particularly in corporate environments. The prevalence of 'innovation theater' illustrates a disconnect between strategy and actual implementation, leaving many social initiatives stuck in pilot phases. Furthermore, recent social movements have underscored the complexity of entrenched societal issues, demonstrating that design thinking alone cannot resolve historically rooted problems.