1.2 Calm technology

Calm technology is really about technology not being intrusive, thus allowing us to relax (feel calm) in its presence. This doesn’t mean the technology has to be invisible, but it shouldn’t give (or ask for) more information than is necessary. However, if we don’t want our daily lives to be constantly interrupted, then we have to be prepared to allow data exchange to take place – and this may have consequences, not least for data security. Some people would be very happy for technology to be almost invisible, but this does imply a certain loss of control; the technology has to make decisions that would otherwise have been yours.