Ian Bogost on 'The Small Stuff': Reclaiming Connection to the Material World
In his upcoming book, writer and academic Ian Bogost argues that technology and convenience have stripped people of sensory experiences, but the solution is not systemic change but mindful attention to everyday small things.
In his forthcoming book "The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life," Ian Bogost expands on the concept of dematerialization—the process by which technology, bureaucracy, and the pursuit of efficiency have removed the texture from daily life. The book builds on his 2022 article about the decline of the manual transmission, which resonated widely.
Bogost acknowledges that many innovations, such as automatic toilets or streaming services, improve life, but they subtly alienate people from the physical world. "We traded contact with the material environment for progress, and we only notice when something breaks," he says.
However, Bogost refrains from blaming Silicon Valley alone. He emphasizes that dematerialization is driven by economic and regulatory systems as well, and that life overall has improved. "I'm bored with constant critique," he says, choosing to focus on solutions: deliberately paying attention to small sensations—the feel of a door handle, the sound of ice in a water bottle—that together create meaningful experiences.
In the interview, Bogost notes that tech companies overly prioritize efficiency and automation, ignoring the embodied human experience. "The experience of doing something matters as much as the outcome," he adds, calling for a balance between convenience and sensory richness.
