Modern digital design has optimized away serendipity. Every interface funnels users toward a predetermined outcome, replacing exploration with conversion paths and engagement metrics.
The UX Collective piece argues this is a measurable loss, not just a philosophical one. The case centers on play as a design principle, contrasting systems built for wandering against those built for efficiency, and what gets sacrificed when novelty is treated as a bug rather than a feature.
The argument is worth reading in full because it targets the process decisions that produce over-optimized products, not just their symptoms. If you design flows, set OKRs around retention, or sign off on onboarding sequences, the critique is aimed directly at your work.
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