Jan Chipchase: The anthropology of mobile phones

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker, a specialist in human behavioral research, explores how people’s behaviors shape the future, particularly in an increasingly connected world. He discusses the essential items people carry, such as keys, money, and mobile phones, and how these reflect basic human needs for survival and connection. Through research in illiteracy and mobile technology, he illustrates how people, especially in underserved regions, innovate to overcome challenges. The speaker emphasizes the power of connectivity, the street-level innovation it fosters, and the importance of listening to a globally connected population to design for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 People are increasingly connected globally, with over 3 billion people having cellular connectivity, and this will continue to grow in the coming years.
• 😀 Human behavior research helps design for the future by predicting how people will use technology based on their emotional, functional, and spiritual connections to objects they carry.
• 😀 The three most important items people carry across cultures are keys, money, and mobile phones, as they support survival and basic needs.
• 😀 Mobile phones transcend space and time, allowing people to communicate at their convenience, which is universally appreciated.
• 😀 Design should understand delegation: people are naturally adaptable and delegate tasks to others or technology to help manage what they forget or cannot do themselves.
• 😀 People with illiteracy rely on others to manage tasks such as storing and sharing contact information, demonstrating the importance of delegation in technology design.
• 😀 Innovation often comes from the streets, where people adapt and modify technology to meet their needs in ways that engineers and designers may not foresee.
• 😀 Mobile phones can serve as tools for basic banking services in rural areas, offering financial access to those without banking infrastructure, as seen in Uganda.
• 😀 In areas with limited resources, like rural India or China, people engage in reverse-engineering and repairs, making street-level innovation a vital part of technology use and sustainability.
• 😀 With the global growth in connectivity, the speed at which ideas and objects spread will increase rapidly, challenging traditional notions of design and adoption.
• 😀 As more people gain mobile connectivity, the concept of identity becomes more fluid, with phone numbers replacing traditional house numbers, signaling a shift in how identity is perceived.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's research?

The speaker's research focuses on understanding human behavior and using that knowledge to design for the future, especially in relation to how people will behave in an increasingly connected world.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of mobile phones?

Mobile phones are crucial because they allow people to transcend space and time, enabling communication and providing a sense of security. They support basic needs like survival, through access to shelter, warmth, and sustenance, and they are a personal and convenient tool for managing these needs.

What is the significance of the objects people carry, like keys, money, and mobile phones?

These objects are critical because they serve functional, emotional, or spiritual purposes that contribute to survival. Keys provide access to shelter, money helps with sustenance, and mobile phones allow people to maintain connections, both personally and professionally.

How does the speaker explain the human tendency to forget?

The speaker explains that forgetting is a natural human trait, but humans have developed strategies to counteract it, such as the act of turning around and tapping pockets to check if they have their essential items, like keys or phones.

What is meant by 'center of gravity' in relation to personal belongings?

The 'center of gravity' refers to a person's primary location or space where they keep their most important belongings, like keys, money, and mobile phones. Over time, these items naturally gravitate to this space, making it the first place people look when they forget something.

What is the ultimate solution to never forgetting anything again, according to the speaker?

The ultimate solution is to have nothing to remember, which is achieved through delegation. By delegating tasks to technology or other people, individuals can reduce the burden of remembering everything themselves.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate delegation in action?

The speaker shares the example of illiterate people in Uganda who delegate the task of managing contact information to others, as they cannot read or write. This is a form of delegation where people rely on others to handle tasks they cannot do themselves.

What role does delegation play in the mobile phone ecosystem, according to the speaker?

In the mobile phone ecosystem, delegation allows individuals to rely on others to manage tasks such as mobile banking or top-ups in areas with limited infrastructure. The example of people in Uganda using a local phone kiosk operator to transfer airtime and money demonstrates how delegation works in a mobile context.

How does the speaker view the street as a source of innovation?

The speaker sees the street as a constant source of innovation because it is where people, often with limited resources, find ways to fix and repurpose items like phones. This grassroots innovation often surpasses more sophisticated design processes because it is directly in tune with local needs and conditions.

What does the speaker suggest about the future of identity in a connected world?

The speaker suggests that with the increasing number of people connected to the internet, the concept of identity will evolve. In places like rural Uganda, people may rely more on mobile phone numbers as identifiers rather than fixed addresses, indicating a shift towards a more mobile and fluid understanding of identity.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'Livestrong' to people in rural India?

The speaker uses the example of a poor tea shop worker in rural India who displays the values of the 'Livestrong' brand, despite his social and economic status. This illustrates how global values and brands resonate with people from different walks of life, connecting them to a global community.

What are the key takeaways the speaker identifies regarding the future of design and technology?

The speaker identifies four key takeaways: the speed of idea dissemination, the rapid adoption of objects and technology, the unpredictable innovation from street-level solutions, and the necessity of embracing the voices of the newly connected three billion people to stay relevant in the global conversation.