#25: The Case for Embracing Friction

☀️ Not everything has to be effortless

Lately, I've been thinking about all the things we try to make frictionless. We want fast checkouts, smooth onboarding, and effortless connections. We've been trained to see friction as a bug, something to be eliminated for the sake of speed and convenience.

But what if friction is actually a feature?

Friction is what makes a handshake firm. It’s what gives a new skill its satisfying resistance. It’s the slight discomfort in a difficult conversation that makes a relationship stronger. It’s the time it takes to truly understand a complex idea, instead of just skimming it.

This edition is a small act of resistance to the idea that life should be easy. A reminder that sometimes, the most valuable things (such as creativity, connection, or growth) aren't found by following the path of least resistance. They are found in the messy, imperfect, and wonderfully human moments of friction.

Let’s lean into the resistance, just a little.

📖 3 Articles to Spark Your Curiosity

1. The Geopolitics of Social Cohesion 

   The article explores how the frictionless environment of social media erodes social cohesion. It argues that by replacing a shared public square with a performance-driven network, these platforms remove the very resistance needed for meaningful debate and common understanding. 

   → Read on Noema Magazine

2. Governments Should Be Effective, Not Efficient 

   Efficiency often feels like the ultimate goal, but what if it's a trap? This piece from Harvard Business Review argues that governments and organizations should prioritize effectiveness over raw efficiency, even if it means moving a little slower. A powerful case for embracing purposeful friction.

   → Read on Harvard Business Review

3. Reintroducing Friction to Your Life

   Friction isn’t just a physics term; it's a tool for living more intentionally. This article looks at how we can re-introduce small amounts of friction into our daily lives to become more present and engaged.

   → Read on Vogue Australia

🗞️ 3 Headlines Worth Exploring

1. My Job As a Parent Is to Make My Kids’ Lives a Little Harder

   In a culture obsessed with making things easy for kids, one parent makes the case for the opposite. This piece explores how intentional challenges can build resilience, character, and a deeper appreciation for hard-won success.

   → Read on The Walrus

2. The Attacks on Wikipedia’s Neutrality Are a Feature, Not a Bug

   Wikipedia's collaborative editing model is full of friction: debates, disagreements, and constant corrections. This article from The Verge argues that this very friction is what makes it one of the most reliable sources of information in the world.

   → Read on The Verge

3. OpenAI Announces AI-Powered Hiring Platform to Take on LinkedIn

   As AI tools aim to remove the 'messiness' of finding a job, this headline raises questions about the future of work. What is lost when human connection and serendipity are replaced with an algorithm?

   →Read on TechCrunch

☀️ 3 Actions to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

1. Try the “Slow Read”

   Choose an article, essay, or even just a long social media post, and read it without skimming. Don’t scroll ahead, don’t jump to conclusions, and don’t look for the main takeaway. Instead, notice how the author builds their argument, the specific words they use, and what feelings come up for you as you move at a deliberate pace. It’s a small way to practice presence and patience in a world that pushes for speed.

2. Be bad at something

   Pick a new hobby or creative pursuit, drawing, learning an instrument, writing, and give yourself permission to be terrible at it. Don’t aim for perfection or a polished final product. The point isn’t to create something good, but to simply show up and embrace the awkwardness and learning curve that come with starting something new.

3. Listen to understand, not to reply

   In your next conversation, make a conscious effort to listen to the other person without mentally preparing your response. Instead of thinking about what you want to say next, focus entirely on what they are communicating. This intentional pause allows for deeper connection and genuine understanding, and it challenges the habit of treating conversations like a performance.

⚡ 6 Quick Resources

💡 To watch: How to practice effectively... for just about anything
This short video explains how deliberate practice (a form of productive resistance) affects the brain, helping you master any skill with greater ease.
→ Watch on YouTube

📚 To read this fall: The Most-Anticipated Books
This list of new releases offers a perfect excuse to slow down and get lost in a good story. Plus, what’s a better combo than autumn weather & a good book?
→ Read on Los Angeles Times

🗺️ To save for your next holiday: Costa Brava, Spain
A travel guide to the stunning and complex Costa Brava, a place where the wild beauty of the coast resists easy categorization.
→ Read on NY Times

💭 To ponder on: A War Without End
This piece explores the difficult reality of a long-term conflict, a sobering reminder that some problems have no simple or quick solutions.
→ Read on Vox

🧠 To try: A Brain-Boosting Rule
A neuroscientist shares a simple rule to help you navigate mental blocks and regain energy, a strategy for working through a difficult mental state.
→ Read on CNBC

🔒 To stay safe: The Most Common PIN Codes
A visual breakdown of the least secure choices. A simple piece of data that reminds us the most obvious path is often the weakest.
→ Explore on Information is Beautiful

🎲 This week’s wonderfully random corner of the internet 

🌌 Star Wars Galaxy Map 

An expansive, interactive map of the entire Star Wars galaxy, a testament to the beauty and depth that can be created when friction (in this case, sifting through decades of lore) is embraced for a greater purpose. 

→ Explore the Star Wars Galaxy Map

📝 Word of the Week

Gestalt (noun) - The unified whole; a form or pattern that is a cohesive, indivisible whole, greater than the sum of its parts.

It reminds us that the struggle itself (*ahem*, the friction) is what allows individual, uncomfortable experiences to cohere into a meaningful and complete whole.

🧘‍♀️ Question of the Week for Introspection

Think of a time when you intentionally chose a more difficult path. Maybe you took on a challenging project, had a tough conversation, or learned a new skill. What was the outcome? How did the friction you experienced contribute to a better result or a deeper understanding?

See you next Sunday! Until then, keep your eyes open, your questions big, and your sense of wonder alive.

Your curious internet friend,

Ruxandra