Q10E Labs
The first thing we set to build is a companion mobile app. We currently call it Becoming.
On the tin, we want it to say it helps you “build a dignified life”, but we realize that might sound nebulous at first. As a user, here is what you can expect when you're just starting:
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at first, it will look oddly familiar: full screen one-page content that entertains and then you can swipe through. But not quite: soon, it tells you “enough for now!” and recommends one action away from your device: a walk, reach out to a friend, commit five minutes to a project you care about.
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not just one page: the screens are generated by programs that you subscribe to; each program generates multiple screens over time. We call these “flows”. One example is a friendship development flow, which helps you connect and develop your relationship with someone close to you, one step at a time. Flows force pacing, which means you have to wait between steps, sometimes multiple days! This is because we believe some important steps cannot be hasted.
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not just content: the screens you swipe are a mix of suggestions of things to do on your own accord, sometime with others—to pull your attention away from passive consumption—and invitations to capture a memory of the present: a thought, a mood, a desire, etc. The flows offer carefully designed prompts help you explore different areas each time.
We are also providing a library of predefined flows for different areas of life. We care deeply about strong friendships, so expect flow collections related to enhancing your social life. We also believe that it is hard to lead a dignified life without a healthy body and mind, so expect flows that help you check in with yourself periodically and remind you of your own best practices. We also include flows relating to discipline, curiosity, creativity and attention.
And flows are just the start. There are more features to discover.
Overall, we are designing Becoming to help you pull away from activities or mind loops which you do not find fulfilling, back to things that matter to you. And if you're not quite sure what matters yet, it will help you explore that too. And not only inside the app: it will remind you to disconnect and go about the world too.