WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
I hear you on the “smart” thermostat headache. Here’s the thing:
- Not every upgrade is actually an upgrade. Sometimes, simple just works better.
- I’ve seen new tech rolled out in buildings that ends up costing more in maintenance than it saves in efficiency.
- It’s not always about user error—sometimes the tech just isn’t ready for real-world use.
- That said, some folks adapt fast and love the bells and whistles. Others just want to set it and forget it.
Honestly, I think we’re sold on “progress” before the bugs are worked out. Maybe we need more field testing before calling something an improvement.
Not every upgrade is actually an upgrade. Sometimes, simple just works better.
Couldn’t agree more—sometimes the “smarter” the gadget, the dumber it feels in practice. I’ve seen buildings where folks just tape over the new touchscreen because they miss the old dial. Progress is great, but comfort matters too.
Funny you mention taping over touchscreens—I’ve seen folks put sticky notes on “smart” thermostats just to remind themselves how to get the heat on. Sometimes, the old analog stuff just works and everyone knows how to use it. Ever tried explaining a fancy lighting system to someone who just wants a switch? It’s not always progress if nobody can figure it out.
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes the “smart” stuff just feels like a headache, especially when you see people literally taping instructions to a touchscreen. But I’ll admit, I’ve seen the other side too. In some of the newer developments, those fancy systems actually solve problems that the old analog ones never could. Like, I’ve watched a building manager adjust dozens of thermostats from his phone during a cold snap—no running around, no sticky notes.
The learning curve is real, though. Not everyone wants to download an app just to turn on their lights. But over time, people do get used to it, and sometimes it actually makes life easier—especially when you’re managing a bunch of units or trying to save energy. Maybe it’s not that progress is bad, but that we need better ways to introduce it without leaving folks behind... or resorting to sticky notes everywhere.
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
I get the frustration with tech overload—I've seen people ignore perfectly good systems just because the interface is confusing. But honestly, the real issue is poor implementation, not the tech itself. If you roll out a smart system without proper onboarding or clear signage, of course people are going to slap sticky notes on it. The best results I’ve seen come from projects where we actually involve end users in the setup phase. It’s not rocket science, but it does take effort upfront... and most developers skip that step to save time or money. That’s where progress really hits a wall.
