About Frictology

Welcome Link to heading

In a world obsessed with speed and smoothness, we’re here to bring back texture.
Frictology is a project devoted to rethinking friction—not as a flaw, but as a forgotten design material that gives interaction its grip, its depth, and its meaning.

For decades, tech has praised frictionless design. “Seamless.” “Effortless.” “Instant.” But what have we lost in that smoothness? When everything slides past without resistance, nothing holds. No pause. No questioning. No space for surprise, struggle, or growth.

Frictology is here to ask: What happens when we treat friction not as the enemy of progress—but as the texture of engagement itself?

Why Friction Matters Link to heading

Friction wakes us up. When applied with intention, it invites us to reflect, wrestle, choose—sometimes even change. It’s what separates autopilot behavior from authentic participation.

In a world of AI-generated convenience and hyper-personalized predictability, friction becomes a way to protect something fragile: our ability to think for ourselves.

As Iain McGilchrist warns, our culture is increasingly skewed toward control, certainty, and systemization—hallmarks of the left brain. Meanwhile, ambiguity, creativity, and context—qualities nurtured by the right hemisphere—are flattened by technologies that prize efficiency over meaning.

Friction isn’t a glitch in this system—it’s what brings us back to ourselves.

What We Do Link to heading

At Frictology, we study how purposeful, well-placed friction can restore depth to digital experiences. We experiment, publish, consult, and build—bridging philosophy and design to make friction practical again.

• Reclaiming Depth in Design
  We examine how friction sharpens creativity, decision-making, and attention. Whether it’s a pause before posting or a moment of doubt before clicking “Buy Now,” we look for frictions that enhance, not obstruct.

• Philosophical Foundations for Tech
  Drawing from psychology, cognitive science, and thinkers like McGilchrist and Polanyi, we bring nuance and depth back into digital systems—where it’s sorely needed.

• Creating Tools, Not Crutches
  We believe AI should support human thought, not replace it. Struggle isn’t the enemy; it’s the scaffold of understanding. Friction is how we build that scaffold.

• Designing Thoughtful Resistance
  Friction shouldn’t be punishing. It should be purposeful—tuned to the moment, the user, the context. Not a wall, but a textured path that invites intention.

Who’s Behind Frictology? Link to heading

Frictology was started by me, Max, someone who thinks most digital experiences are too smooth to be meaningful. I’ve spent enough time around technology to see where it lifts us up—and where it quietly flattens us. Frictology is my experiment to see what happens when we reintroduce friction into the system. Not to make life harder, but to make it real again.

You can learn more about me at max.onl .

But this project isn’t mine alone. Frictology is for the designers, thinkers, skeptics, and builders who sense we’re losing something—and want to get it back.

The Big Picture Link to heading

Friction isn’t just a UX decision. It’s a philosophical stance. It says: depth over convenience. thought over instinct. participation over passivity.

We don’t romanticize friction. We study it. Shape it. Use it with care. Because when designed right, friction doesn’t slow us down—it wakes us up.

If you’ve ever felt that digital life is too fast, too shallow, too pre-decided… Frictology is for you.

Bring back the texture.