KQED's Forum How Do You Friction-Maxx?
Jan 30, 2026
Kathryn Jezer-Morton, columnist who coined "friction-maxxing," argues for reclaiming inconvenient, embodied experiences. Stephen Council, SFGATE tech reporter, shares reporting and personal examples about chatbots and convenience tools. Morgan Sung, pod host and tech critic, examines intentional media use and design that removes friction. They discuss in-person shopping, transit, social skills, tech design, and practical ways to choose inconvenience.
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Ride Transit To Reconnect With Place
- Use public transit to inject friction, save money, and increase community contact.
- Stephen Council says frequent bus use improved his life and civic connection despite occasional annoyances.
Broken Van Sparked A Love Of Reading
- Kathryn told a family road‑trip story where an unreliable van and no devices pushed kids to read.
- She credits the trip's friction for developing her children's love of books.
Convenience As A Form Of Privilege
- Frictionless living often correlates with greater wealth, creating unequal access to 'frictionless' comforts.
- Morgan Sung and Stephen Council note that convenience can be a form of privilege and lifestyle creep.
