to know exactly what they are building, AI/KBS developers are "cynical" enough to admit they don't from the start. Technical Debt
However, awareness is the first step. Every time you open an app, ask yourself: Is this tool serving me, or am I serving the tool? Is that "red notification badge" an emergency, or is it a dog whistle designed to make me salivate? cynical software
In human psychology, cynicism is the attitude that people are motivated purely by self-interest. A cynical person assumes you will lie, cheat, or manipulate them given the chance. to know exactly what they are building, AI/KBS
While great software aims for "frictionless" experiences, cynical software introduces friction strategically. Ever tried to delete a social media account or cancel a SaaS subscription? The labyrinthine process is a deliberate feature, not a bug. The Cost of the Cynical Pivot Is that "red notification badge" an emergency, or
Complexity is job security. If you build a simple system that anyone can understand, they don't need a "Senior Architect" to manage it. Congratulations, you just engineered yourself out of a paycheck.
: If ceremonies like Scrum aren't actually improving your code, stop doing them. Focus on working software over rigid processes. Write cynical documentation