Beyond Features And Functions: Is Technology Missing What Humans Really Need? With Leah Reich Basic AF: A (mostly) Tech podcast

Beyond Features and Functions: Is Technology Missing What Humans Really Need? with Leah Reich

15d ago 1:01:25

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We sit down with writer and user researcher Leah Reich to explore the complex relationship between technology and the humans who use it. Leah shares insights from her newsletter and writing career before diving into the evolving landscape of user research in tech companies, including her time at Slack, Spotify, and Meta/Instagram.

We discuss the delicate balance between serving user needs and business goals, and examine the concerning industry shift away from comprehensive user research. Leah offers her personal perspective on the Apple Watch experience and we explore the broader implications of gamification in our digital lives—questioning whether turning everything into a game truly serves our wellbeing.

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Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

Show transcripts and episode artwork are AI generated and likely contain errors and general si...

Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Follow Up: Gentler Streak Pricing (00:01:06)

3. Hello, Leah Reich! (00:02:57)

4. Leah’s Writing and Newsletter (00:05:20)

5. User Research in Tech Companies (00:18:53)

6. Balancing User Needs & Business Goals (00:24:16)

7. The Shift Away From User Research (00:36:35)

8. Leah’s Apple Watch Experience (00:40:41)

9. Is Gamification Good For Us? (00:45:36)

10. Close (00:57:21)

62 episodes