In order to thrive, we humans need to experience the interconnectedness between ourselves and the world around us.

But despite unprecedented connectivity, the modern commercial, social, and educational frameworks where our daily interactions and transactions take place focus on the individual. Increasingly, the technological worlds we inhabit grow cold because connectivity is not the same as connection.

Warmth is a connecting principle. For individuals, it leads to reduced stress, anxiety, blood pressure, depression, and heart disease. For communities, it’s like social glue increasing cohesion, unity, and productivity.

Changes in UX design priorities are needed to help users get over themselves, to see over the impediments blocking their eyes and hearts from other people, other communities, and the upstream and downstream impact of their consumer behaviors.