#objectivecritique

Where are you guys traveling to this year?

The original Instagram algorithm was simple in that its design was purely chronological. This allowed users to see all recent posts based on who they follow. However, as Instagram has grown in popularity, they have shifted their algorithm to prioritize specific content. From personal experience, I have seen so many more ads and promotional content as opposed to my friends or family that I follow on Instagram. Instagram’s stake in the ground to provide more personalized content has led to limited content visibility from users with a smaller following which reduces information diversity. I think this is problematic because it limits the users’ view to only what Instagram wants to serve them and takes the power away from the user. Although I still use Instagram, I find myself clicking on it less and less due to the influx of promotional content. 

What initiated as an innovative and environmentally-friendly solution for transportation has resulted in major problems for U.S. cities. Bird Bike used to provide electric scooters in many cities across the country. These scooters could be activated using their app and could be shared by many users throughout the day. From my personal experience, when this was first introduced in Dallas, everyone was very excited about the possibilities of an alternative transportation method. However, there have been massive problems with safety, accessibility, and littering the sidewalk with scooters. Bird Bike placed a stake in the ground to spread the scooters across the country as quickly as much as possible. However, they did not provide proper regulations or infrastructure which caused concerns for the public. Bird Bike’s stake in the ground was well-intentioned but ultimately proved problematic. 

Dyson places a stake in the ground to create the most innovative, modern, and superior vacuum cleaner. What once was a mundane household good, can become a work of modern machinery through a bagless, cyclonic vacuum. Dyson's innovative thinking challenged traditional vacuum design and created a new industry standard for household appliances. I personally just purchased a Dyson vacuum a few months ago and it has completely changed how I feel about cleaning. What once was a dreaded chore now is much more enjoyable, thanks to my light-weight Dyson vacuum cleaner. Dyson is a design leader by rethinking how we approach household items and placing a stake in the ground for innovation. 

Red Bull has placed a stake in the ground for being the energy drink that fuels you to do incredible things. The drink brand has successfully marketed themselves by sponsoring extreme sports events and music festivals. Some of my personal favorites include cliff diving and soapbox car races, which take place all over the world. The result is that consumers associate Red Bull with a high-energy and adventurous lifestyle. This stake in the ground has led to a unique position in the energy drink market and branded themselves as a cultural phenomenon.

Reformation is a clothing brand that has a stake in the ground to create sustainable clothing solutions. The brand uses low-impact materials and deadstock fabric to create their clothing lines. Additionally, Reformation is carbon, water, and waste neutral and is working to become climate positive by 2025. Although Reformation could be like other fashion brands and prioritize cheaply made materials, they have placed a stake in the ground to become a leader for sustainable clothing. This does create more costly clothing items and a larger barrier of entry for users, however they have gained a following that supports their mission as a design leader.

I recommend using this anecdotal method for ethnographic interviews for people who are more extroverted and don’t need as much guidance in an interview setting.