5 minute read
What Lighting Can Learn from Calm Technology
By Randy Reid
Photo credit: Randy Reid
In her keynote presentation, entitled “Calm Technology,” at IES24: The Lighting Conference, Amber Case captivated the audience with a deep exploration of how technology should seamlessly integrate into our lives.
As a cyborg anthropologist (and I am still not sure what that means), Amber focuses on how human-centered design can transform our interaction with technology, ensuring that it works with us rather than against us. In a world increasingly dominated by digital distractions, Amber’s call for “calm technology” is not just relevant – it’s essential.
Case began her talk with an example that resonated with many – the challenge of trying to sleep in a hotel room with the distracting glow of appliance lights. “I am really, really excited to know that your industry exists because I'm annoyed by a lot of different lights in my life,” she quipped. This resonated with me, as the previous night I discovered the Marriot Marquis closet light was on either a timer or motion detector, and it took me a few very frustrating minutes to figure that out.
From this relatable moment, she transitioned into her central thesis: when poorly designed, technology becomes a source of frustration rather than a helpful tool.
Drawing on Freud’s warning in Civilization and Its Discontents about the dangers of being overwhelmed by our tools, Amber argued that we’ve reached a point where many of our technological advancements are more of a hindrance than a help. “What matters is not the technology itself,” she explained, “but its relationship to us. Does it intrude on our time, or is it a good roommate?”
Amber explored the idea that technology should be designed to fit human needs at a fundamental level. She illustrated this with historical examples, such as Persian HVAC systems that combined aesthetics and functionality, naturally diffusing light and heat without complex machinery.
In contrast, she noted how many modern systems require constant attention, diverting us from meaningful human experiences. “When these systems are designed well, you dissolve into them. They become invisible when you’re using them,” she said. I do not recall her talking about lighting controls, but this would have been an excellent segue.
Her exploration of “calm technology” hinges on the idea that innovations are not beneficial if they disrupt human interaction and our ability to focus. She offered examples from everyday life, such as induction stoves with flat touch panels that make it difficult to know if a button was pressed, thereby interrupting conversations and interactions. The cumulative effect of such interruptions, she argued, is a gradual erosion of our quality of life. “The scarcest resource will be our attention, and how technology works with or against our attention will make or break that experience,” she warned.
She examined how various cultures have approached technology throughout history, offering valuable insights for future designs. Amber referenced Japanese tea ceremonies and the concept of “Oma Tenchi,” where the host anticipates a guest’s needs subtly and elegantly. In contrast, she critiqued Western attempts to automate and predict behavior using AI, often leading to systems that “at best scare the heck out of the user and work poorly.”
The notion of being a “cyborg” was another key theme of Amber’s presentation. Far from the science fiction depiction of robots and implants, she offered a simpler definition – anyone who relies on external tools to enhance their capabilities. “Anytime you use a computer as an extension of your mental self, you can be experiencing a cyborg situation,” she said. This broad definition emphasizes that the integration of technology into our lives is already a reality, making it even more critical to ensure that these tools are designed with care and empathy.
Amber’s background as a cyborg anthropologist gives her a unique perspective on how humans interact with technology. She argued that traditional anthropology’s focus on studying distant cultures should be turned inward, examining our own relationship with technology. “We’re the weirdos. What are we doing here? Why is it normal for us to hoard pictures of cats and news articles when, in reality, if you hoarded real cats and real newspapers, you would be considered not doing so well?” she mused.
In discussing how poorly designed technology can interrupt meaningful moments, Case introduced the concepts of “Kronos” and “Kairos” time—terms borrowed from Greek philosophy. Kronos represents structured, clock-driven time, while Kairos is the time of special moments, like watching a sunset or a child’s first steps. According to Case, poorly integrated technology forces us into Kronos time, disrupting our ability to experience the deeper, more fulfilling Kairos moments.
One of the most innovative ideas Amber presented was the potential of designing technology that leverages peripheral attention. By using low-resolution indicators like ambient lighting, technology can convey information without demanding full focus. Amber shared an example from her own work—a system that changes the color of ambient light (Philips Hue) based on the weather forecast. “You can feel the future,” she explained, describing how the system allowed her to sense whether it would be sunny or rainy without needing to actively check a screen. This approach aligns perfectly with her vision of calm technology, where tools integrate into our lives in a supportive, non-intrusive manner.
Amber Case’s keynote was a thoughtful and engaging exploration of how we can design technology to positively impact our lives. Her insights challenge us to rethink lighting, especially controls, and consider whether our tools truly serve us.
As she concluded, “Machines shouldn’t be acting like humans. Humans shouldn’t be acting like machines. Every time that happens, we lose a bit of our Kairos time. We lose a bit of our human.”
