Frictionmaxxing: What It Means, And How To Try It

If TikTok is anything to go by, it seems the kids are “frictionmaxxing” (and by the kids, I mean gen Z – a generation of people anywhere from 14-29 years old).

The term, which was coined by author Kathryn Jezer-Morton in an article for The Cut, has gained some fans online.

And it ties into younger people’s increasingly analogue habits, like writing letters to one another and making reading cool again.

Though the term is new, a decades-old interview with author Kurt Vonnegut seemed to echo its principles. So, I gave it a try.

It’s about taking away the, well, frictionless ease of digital life and deliberately replacing it with less convenient, but more “human”, options.

The author wrote, “Friction-maxxing is not simply a matter of reducing your screen time, or whatever.

“It’s the process of building up tolerance for ‘inconvenience,’” which she stresses usually isn’t actually a lack of control over the problems of living among other people.

Some examples include not sharing your location with friends, so they have to ask where you are instead, not using large language models to answer your questions, and loosening the reins on your kids.

Jazer-Morton argued that friction is different to suffering. Joy is part of the point.

“An orientation toward friction is really the only defence we have against the life-annihilating suction of technologies of escape,” she wrote.

“Frixtionmaxxing” reminded me of Kurt Vonnegut’s envelopes.

Speaking to PBS, the writer spoke about the time his wife asked why he went out to buy individual envelopes instead of just buying a stack to keep on hand.

“I pretend not to hear her. And go out to get an envelope because I’m going to have a hell of a good time in the process of buying one envelope,” he said.

“I meet a lot of people. And, see some great-looking babes. And a fire engine goes by. And I give them the thumbs up.”

The inconvenience, for him, was not just the point, but the joy of the trip.

For her part, Jazer-Morton said that “frictionmaxxing” should increase our tolerance of effort that isn’t strictly necessary, “reaching even toward enjoyment”.

Years before mass AI use, Vonnegut said, “the computers will do us out of that”.

All of which to say, I began “frictionmaxxing” by getting bits and bobs from my local store throughout the week rather than relying on an online order.

Not only did that mean I got to enjoy some of this month’s sunshine (finally!), but it also meant I felt much more connected to the world around me than I would otherwise.

I overheard some interesting arguments on the street and saw a terrible first date. I saw some very sweet goslings (picture above), noticed some heartening blossoms, and even got inspiration for an article about chocolate theft.

Since then, I’ve got my screen time down, begun reading more, and gotten back into crochet. I’ve even penned some letters and planned more IRL meetups.

Studies tell us that spending more time outdoors, having even surface-level interactions with other people, reading, and creating everything from meals to blankets, is good for us.

But I don’t think anyone who tries “frictionmaxxing” will need all that much proof. Already, I feel my self-esteem and sense of connection growing.