Today’s interactive changes
Today’s interaction is no longer solely based on clicks and inputs, but rather relies more on AI and algorithmic recommendations. In the past, one had to like, comment and share by oneself. Now, many applications will push content and generate recommendations based on personal habits, such as music platforms or video applications. Moreover, tools like Google Docs for multi-person collaboration have also transformed interaction from single-person operation to real-time cooperation among multiple people. I think these experiences have been constantly evolving on the basis laid by Web 2.0.

Designing for Connection
For the reading materials, Christopher Alexander’s patterns, like “Small Public Squares” and “Networks of Paths,” are surprisingly relevant to digital spaces today. A “small square” creates a welcoming, human-scaled space where people feel comfortable interacting, much like niche online communities. “Networks of paths” ensure that users can discover each other’s contributions through multiple routes, whether through tags, feeds, or search. So I believe these patterns remind us that good social design is not just about features, but about creating spaces where meaningful connections can happen.

Now it’s different. I don’t post. I barely comment. Sometimes I double-tap just to prove I’m still conscious. The algorithm already knows what I like, so it just feeds me stuff. I can scroll for hours and leave zero trace besides all the data it’s collecting behind the scenes. It is so detached and disconnected from real intention. 

That shift from creating to just consuming is a huge change in how we use the internet. Early platforms gave you tools and said go make something. You had profile editors, blogs, even little janky Photoshop knockoffs. The whole vibe was: your input matters. Interaction design was focused on helping people create, not just scroll. There is too much accessibility and content out there. 

Now it’s all about keeping things smooth. Autoplay, infinite scroll, and swiping with one thumb so you never have to think. You can still make stuff, but it’s hidden behind a plus button and way too many filters and panels. It’s easy, sure, but it’s not the default anymore.

Fast‑forward to today, the internet involves no posting, no commenting, barely a double‑tap to prove I’m awake. The algorithm of the recommendation already knows what the user enjoys watching. I can doom‑scroll for an hour and leave no footprint except the data points the system silently adds to my profile.

That jump from “all you can eat” to “being served” is a big change in how we use the internet. Early social platforms handed us toolkits: profile editors, blog engines, and Photoshop. They begged for participation because user‑generated content was the fuel that made communities vibrant. Interaction designers focused more on the experience of a user uploading an image.

Today’s platforms want everything to be smooth and easy. Autoplay, infinite scroll, and one‑thumb gestures ensure you’ll never hit a dead end. Creation is still possible, but it’s tucked behind a plus‑button and a dozen optional effects panels, easy enough to use, yet no longer the default path.

Back then, I wasn’t just watching—I was participating. I followed people, joined hashtag challenges, left comments. Douyin felt like a place where I was part of something, even if it was just for fun.

Now? I just open the app and scroll. I don’t post anything. I don’t comment. I barely even like things. The app just shows me what it thinks I’ll enjoy, and most of the time, it’s right. I can spend 1 hour without touching anything but my thumb.

That’s a big difference from Web 2.0. Before, apps and websites needed to give people tools to create, share, and talk to others. Now, interaction design is more about making the experience smooth and effortless.

I think Douyin is a perfect example of how we’ve moved from doing things online to just watching things happen. And honestly, sometimes I miss being part of it.

Today, things feel different. It seems like we’ve become more controlled by our devices. Instead of new gadgets, the focus has moved toward productivity and content creation. AI has made it easier to consume more content, but it also brings a flood of information, some of it unreliable.

As designers, we need to adapt quickly. Technology is moving fast; if we don’t pivot and grow with it, we risk falling behind.

When Web 2.0 came, everything changed. People could now interact with websites. You could write comments under blog posts, post pictures on social media, like your friend’s vacation photos, or even edit a shared document. Everyday apps like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram let users become creators, not just viewers. This meant websites had to add buttons, forms, likes, shares, menus, and more. Designers needed to think carefully: “What happens when someone clicks here?” or “How can we show them this action worked?” As a design student, I realize good interaction design helps people feel confident and in control.

Today, things have gone even further. We now use smartphones, voice assistants, and smart watches. People swipe, tap, scroll, or even talk to their devices. Design now has to think about different screens, fast feedback, and keeping things simple. But the core idea hasn’t changed: making it easy and fun for people to use technology in daily life.