Touch, Talk, and Listen: Rethinking How We Use Tech

Life engages all our senses. Humans experience the world through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

Recently, I visited Niagara Falls. As the water thundered down and mist filled the air, I was struck by how powerful and exhilarating it felt—something no photo or video had ever conveyed to me. Media often captures sight and sound, but not the full sensory experience.

In the 21st century, most digital interfaces rely heavily on vision. But I’ve always appreciated the more tactile and auditory aspects of interaction. I enjoy pressing physical buttons and tuning into the radio.

While my kids, ages four and seven, are growing up comfortably talking to Alexa, I’m still wired to interact with the world through touch. That’s why I love using the New York Times Audio app. I use it to listen to podcasts, music, and news. Recently, I heard on a podcast that people in my generation (30s to 40s) are increasingly turning to audio content.

Even ChatGPT recently launched a new feature that lets you talk to an AI agent by phone (available in the U.S. and Canada as of June 4, 2025). I wonder if this is part of a broader shift, an experiment in designing new types of interfaces.

I started my career designing mobile apps, websites, and digital screens. Back then, my title was GUI (Graphical User Interface) designer. Interestingly, one of my major projects involved designing finger gestures for touchscreens not just the visuals, but how users would feel their way through digital content.

Interfaces keep evolving. Still, I enjoy the tactile rituals of reading paper books, doodling, and writing with pens, just as much as using digital tools.