Approach Quote by John Maeda
“Technological advances have always been driven more by a mind-set of 'I can' than 'I should' Technologists love to cram maximum functionality into their products. That's 'I can' thinking, which is driven by peer competition and market forces But this approach ignores the far more important question of how the consumer will actually use the device focus on what we should be doing, not just what we can.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Design Conference Keynote, John Maeda, 2018
Innovation should prioritize user needs and ethical considerations over mere technical capability, urging creators to ask "should we?" before "can we?"
In simple terms: Focus on what should be built, not just what can be built.
Key Takeaway
Ask ethical questions before adding features.
Themes
design
technology
ethics
user focus
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
design
ethical
When to use this quote
- software development
- hardware design
- consumer tech
Key Concepts
human-centered design
responsible innovation
product strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- What should be the primary goal of your next project?
- Who benefits most from this technology?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on capability can lead to wasteful or harmful products.
