Michael Gaigg: Über UI/UX Design

Go figure: Hierarchy of Digital Distractions

Posted by Michael Gaigg

I'm still smiling about David McCandless's Hierarchy of Digital Distractions, a visual representation of digital things that matter to us. Well, some of them more than others.

In the shape of a pyramid the illustration reminds us of the order of importance model as suggested by Maslow's hierarchy of needs where the most fundamental need - earning our bread and butter (any kind of actual work) - is at base. Activities higher in the pyramid require more of our attention and 'trump' the activities below. Moving up in the pyramid means re-prioritizing activities by focusing on lesser important but subjectively more fulfilling needs.

The Hierarchy of Digital Distractions

So, if you in the midst of a phone call on one of those ancient Landlines, a New Voicemail will catch your attention which in turn will be trumped by a Mobile Phone call in silent vibrating only before the next Text Message comes in which obviously is not as important as a Mobile Phone call. Beware of buying an iPhone though because anything happening on your iPhone will overpower the before mentioned.

An email from a romantic partner will always rule over any skype call and a new message from your online dating service which is in return more important than an @message on twitter, a message on facebook or a new contact on flickr. All this happens is fine until one of your devices crash or your partner shuts the lid of your laptop on your fingers.

What's your funny interpretation?