Has 2020 Killed Your Spirit Too? SAME. want to know why?

Slides for WordFest 2021 talk
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“Hey, how ya doin’?”

Anyone else cringe when this question was asked in the chaotic year of 2020? Anyone else feeling unmotivated, unfocused, and discombobulated? There’s actually science behind why we are feeling some of these things, so not only are you not alone, but your body and brain is actually functioning *correctly*

In UX design we study cognitive science and psychology in order to create better products. Turns out that understanding how we function/don’t function through a global pandemic, at a time when the world is (sometimes literally) *on fire*, also benefits from this same science.

Transcript

1. Same.
   HAS 2020 KILLED
   YOUR SPIRIT TOO?
   WORDFEST 2021
   WANT TO KNOW WHY?
   TRACY APPS
   @TAPPS
   

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2. “HEY, HOW YA DOIN’?”
   @TAPPS
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   TAPPS.DESIGN
   

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3. “HEY, HOW YA DOIN’?”
   PRETTY AWFUL. YOU?
   @TAPPS
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   TAPPS.DESIGN
   

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4. @
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   MY TYPICAL 2020 DAILY AGENDA:
   Rampant depression
   Complete lack of motivation
   Excessive TikToking
   Dissociating
   Uncontainable anxiety
   Obsessive internetting research
   Increased ice cream consumption
   Information overload & news exhaustion
   A concerning amount of chips & cookies consumed in place of dinner
   Regular bouts of despair, shame & panic
   Unchecked & unprocessed grief
   Discombobulated & disillusioned
   Inability to focus on anything of importance
   Lack of/avoidance of human contact
   Compulsive online purchasing
   Overwhelmed & burnt out
   Another puzzle done
   

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5. MY TYPICAL 2020 DAILY AGENDA:
   Rampant depression
   Complete lack of motivation
   Excessive TikToking
   Dissociating
   Uncontainable anxiety
   Obsessive internetting research
   Increased ice cream consumption
   Information overload & news exhaustion
   A concerning amount of chips & cookies consumed in place of dinner
   Regular bouts of despair, shame & panic
   Unchecked & unprocessed grief
   Discombobulated & disillusioned
   Inability to focus on anything of importance
   Lack of/avoidance of human contact
   Compulsive online purchasing
   Overwhelmed & burnt out
   Another puzzle done
   JUST TO NAME A FEW
   @
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   

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6. OUR
   BRAINS
   ARE
   WORKING
   FINE
   BUT GUESS WHAT?
   @TAPPS
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   TAPPS.DESIGN
   

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7. BRAINS ARE WEIRD
   WAIT, WHAT?
   #
   

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8. I repeat:
   you.
   are.
   not.
   broken.
   YOU'RE NOT
   BROKEN
   @TAPPS
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   TAPPS.DESIGN
   

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9. OUR BRAINS CAN'T EVEN...
   -process all the
   information they
   receive.
   @TAPPS
   !
   WTF
   2020?
   TAPPS.DESIGN
   

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10. GET EATEN BY A BEAR
    -there's some
    shortcuts and a
    bunch of other
    stu our brains
    do so we don't
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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11. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    - Speech
    - Auditory processing
    - Hearing
    - Behavior
    - Emotions
    - Short-term memory
    - Long-term memory
    - Sensory information
    (taste/touch/smell/temperature)
    - Visual system
    - Visual information
    (recognizes letters)
    - Balance
    - Coordination
    - Attention
    - Rhythm
    - Proprioception
    - Vestibular
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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12. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    

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13. FRONTAL LOBE
    1. the prefrontal cortex
    2. the premotor area
    3. the motor area
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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14. @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    FRONTAL LOBE
    1. the prefrontal cortex
    2. the premotor area
    3. the motor area
    responsible for planning complex cognitive behaviors, the expression of personality,
    decision making, and social behavior
    prepares your body's muscles for the exact movements the will make. in other words,
    it helps you control your movements
    the main contributor to generating neural impulses that pass down to the spinal cord
    and control the execution of movement
    

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15. @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    FRONTAL LOBE
    1. the prefrontal cortex
    2. the premotor area
    3. the motor area
    responsible for planning complex cognitive behaviors, the expression of personality,
    decision making, and social behavior
    prepares your body's muscles for the exact movements the will make. in other words,
    it helps you control your movements
    the main contributor to generating neural impulses that pass down to the spinal cord
    and control the execution of movement
    

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16. SCIENCE!
    WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
    $
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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17. BACK TO THAT BEAR
    SITUATION...
    NOW,
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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18. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT?
    BACK TO THAT BEAR
    SITUATION...
    NOW,
    -"hmmm...
    maybe i should add
    a little more to my
    401k next month..."
    -RUN
    AWAY!
    OR
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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19. OUR
    BRAINS
    ARE
    SMART
    SOMETIMES
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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20. REROUTING...
    BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE.
    STRESS!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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21. REROUTING...
    STRESS!
    BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE:
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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22. REROUTING...
    STRESS!
    BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE: ACTIVATED!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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23. BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE: ACTIVATED!
    REROUTING...
    STRESS!
    STRESS! STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    STRESS!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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24. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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25. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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26. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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27. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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28. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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29. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER?
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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30. @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER?
    

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31. @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    MURDER HORNETS?
    BREAKING NEWS!
    DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER?
    BREAKING NEWS!
    TWO HURRICANES ARE COLLIDING!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ONLINE NOW. GOOD LUCK ADJUSTING! WAIT...
    DID YOU SAY MURDER HORNETS?
    

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32. @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    MURDER HORNETS?
    BREAKING NEWS!
    DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER?
    WAIT...
    DID YOU SAY MURDER HORNETS?
    BREAKING NEWS!
    TWO HURRICANES ARE COLLIDING!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ONLINE NOW. GOOD LUCK ADJUSTING!
    

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33. - Abstract thinking
    - Problem solving
    - Reasoning
    - Executive functioning
    - Organizing
    - Motor functions
    - Regulates emotions
    - Attention control
    - Future thinking & planning
    BREAKING NEWS!
    YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    MURDER HORNETS?
    BREAKING NEWS!
    DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER?
    WAIT...
    DID YOU SAY MURDER HORNETS?
    BREAKING NEWS!
    TWO HURRICANES ARE COLLIDING!
    BREAKING NEWS!
    EVERYTHING IS ONLINE NOW. GOOD LUCK ADJUSTING!
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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34. you didn't think we
    were done, right?
    just like 2020 itself,
    we're on to the
    next thing...
    BUT WAIT!
    THERE'S MORE
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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35. WHY IS THERE NO
    TOILET PAPER?
    %
    AND OTHER WAYS HUMAN ACTIONS ARE CONTROLLED BY COGNITIVE BIAS
    %
    %
    %
    %
    %
    %
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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36. COGNITIVE BIAS
    THE TL;DR OF OUR BRAINS
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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37. When stressed, believing that
    taking action–any action–will
    resolve problems. (even when
    they don't)
    - ACTION TAKEN:
    hoarding food & toilet paper
    -
    REALITY:
    there was no threat of a shortage
    ... if people weren't panic buying all the TP
    ACTION BIAS
    COGNITIVE BIAS
    AND THEN AMPLIFIED BY "THE BANDWAGON EFFECT"
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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38. - OVERESTIMATING
    the probability of low-risk events
    (e.g. being a victim of a terrorist attack)
    - UNDERESTIMATING
    high probability risks
    (like becoming infected with a virus during a
    pandemic)
    REPRESENTATIVENESS
    HEURISTIC
    COGNITIVE BIAS
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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39. Instead of solving a complex
    problem, solving an easier one
    -
    BIG COMPLEX PROBLEM:
    the US healthcare system is
    extremely flawed and unjust
    -
    SUBSTITUTED SOLUTION:
    "we added hand sanitizer
    dispenser by the door"
    SUBSTITUTION
    BIAS
    COGNITIVE BIAS
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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40. ... JUST TO NAME A FEW
    BELIEF BIAS
    AVAILABILITY BIAS
    HINDSIGHT BIAS
    EXPONENTIAL-GROWTH BIAS
    IN-GROUP FAVORITISM BIAS
    FRAMING BIAS
    ANCHORING BIAS
    BASE RATE FALLACY
    OSTRICH EFFECT
    TELESCOPING EFFECT
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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41. AND DON'T
    FORGET:
    prolonged exposure
    to stress literally
    changes your brain
    and negatively
    e ects your health
    PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY
    CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY
    EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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42. AND DON'T
    FORGET:
    PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY
    CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY
    EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
    ongoing acute
    traumatic stress
    experience risks
    developing cPTSD
    symptoms
    (Post-COVID Stress Disorder)
    ONGOING ACUTE TRAUMATIC STRESS
    EXPERIENCE RISKS DEVELOPING CPTSD
    SYMPTOMS (POST-COVID STRESS DISORDER)
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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43. AND DON'T
    FORGET:
    PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY
    CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY
    EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
    The core experiences
    of psychological
    trauma are
    disempowerment
    and disconnection
    from others
    ONGOING ACUTE TRAUMATIC STRESS
    EXPERIENCE RISKS DEVELOPING CPTSD
    SYMPTOMS (POST-COVID STRESS DISORDER)
    THE CORE EXPERIENCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL
    TRAUMA ARE DISEMPOWERMENT AND
    DISCONNECTION FROM OTHERS
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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44. REMEMBER
    PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY
    CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY
    EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
    YOU ARE NOT
    BROKEN
    ONGOING ACUTE TRAUMATIC STRESS
    EXPERIENCE RISKS DEVELOPING CPTSD
    SYMPTOMS (POST-COVID STRESS DISORDER)
    THE CORE EXPERIENCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL
    TRAUMA ARE DISEMPOWERMENT AND
    DISCONNECTION FROM OTHERS
    @TAPPS
    !
    WTF
    2020?
    TAPPS.DESIGN
    

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45. BE NICER TO YOURSELF
    YOU'RE DOING GREAT!
    

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46. BE NICER TO YOURSELF
    YOU'RE DOING GREAT!
    THANK YOU!
    

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47. BE NICER TO YOURSELF
    YOU'RE DOING GREAT!
    KEEP IN TOUCH!
    @TAPPS
    @TAPPS
    @THEREALTAPPS
    LINKTR.EE/TAPPS
    /IN/TAPPS
    /TRACYAPPS
    SPEAKERDECK.COM/TAPPS
    SLIDES AT:
    

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