Friction-maxxing: choosing inconvenience to build character

A piece in The Cut by Kathryn Jezer-Morton introduces the term "friction-maxxing" and argues for avoiding modern conveniences such as ChatGPT, location sharing and Uber Eats in order to regain satisfaction and personal resilience.

The article frames friction-maxxing as doing hard things that ultimately make you a better person, noting the idea used to be called "character-building." It warns that slick convenience can infantilise people, contrasts using AI to write a school essay with doing the work yourself, and offers examples such as sending children on small errands or inviting guests without fully cleaning to experience the discomfort of being judged. The author also makes clear the argument does not apply to life-saving measures like penicillin, and suggests some household conveniences such as dishwashers and refrigerators are probably fine.

The discussion in the piece questions where to draw the line on which conveniences to reject, touching on long-standing inventions including mechanised agriculture and the printing press. It presents friction-maxxing as a repackaging of older ideas and ends on a playful note: "Do say: 'I hope a book comes out about friction-maxxing.' Don’t say: 'I don’t want to read it, but I’m sure ChatGPT could turn it into some really great bullet points.'"

Key Topics

Culture, Kathryn Jezer-morton, Friction-maxxing, Chatgpt, Uber Eats, Character-building