From Manipulator to Truth Teller
Shifting from exploiting psychology to revealing hidden structures of power.
Focus: Transparency, ethics, and revealing hidden power structures.
Many design practices, especially in marketing and digital products, have become skilled at exploiting human psychology by tapping into fear, scarcity, and insecurity to drive behavior. We use dark patterns and clever messages that push people to buy more while feeling increasingly dissatisfied.
Truth tellers reject this logic of manipulation. They design for transparency, clarity, and empowerment. Instead of nudging people toward consumption, they reveal the systems at work: where data goes, who profits, and how choices are shaped. By making hidden structures visible, truth tellers restore trust and give people agency to act on their own terms.
