Opinion In 2026, the case for more friction

There is much that parents and techbros disagree on. The former are constantly trying to keep their kids gadget-free, the latter are working hard to keep them hooked. For parents, well-rounded growth matters, while for techbros, efficiency is the goal. But the thing they disagree on the most, perhaps, is the value of effort. To grow, one must step out of one’s comfort zone, say parents. The boys in Silicon Valley dream of a world where every “inconvenience” has been ironed out by technology: Doorstep delivery for food, groceries and craft supplies, a swipe to find a romantic partner, thinking outsourced to “intelligent” chat windows.

As 2026 kicks off, the scales seem to be tipping in favour of Team Effort, going by the trending of the concept of “friction-maxxing”. The idea is to bring back discomfort that leads to growth. In stepping out, sitting in traffic and wrangling with a waiter, instead of ordering in, one can learn patience and the ability to navigate environments one has no control over. In turning to the real world for connection, one makes room for serendipity and develops the fortitude to withstand rejection.

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Reintroducing friction in a world bent on seamless efficiency may seem like a radical idea. But it is also an invitation: Life, with all its adventures, in all its unpredictability and chaos, is waiting.