Frictionmaxxing: Why inconvenience may be essential for creativity

In a society fixated on convenience, the idea of 'frictionmaxxing' has surfaced as a reactionary movement that champions the intentional acceptance of discomfort. The Guardian referred to it as 'a lifetime of happy inconvenience,' highlighting choices like dining out instead of ordering from Uber Eats or opting for a local hardware store instead of Amazon. The Cut noted that this trend reflects a diminishing tolerance for inconvenience. Philosopher Byung-Chul Han has critiqued the overabundance of smoothness in our lives, which eliminates resistance and reflection. An article on Sibling Studio's Substack Post-Culture emphasizes that friction is vital for fostering depth, creativity, and identity. Authored by Nina Maria, a pop culture strategist at Sibling Studio, founded by Lucinda Bounsall, the studio serves clients like Nike and LVMH.