Closed labyrinth
A great essay from iA, the firm behind the excellent minimalist writing app Writer, discussing what it would take for Europe to decouple itself from US-made technology. Specifically, Microsoft Office:
Microsoft Office traps us in a world that vanished decades ago. Like the workplace in Severance, it holds us in a closed labyrinth where, instead of thinking, we click. Europe says it wants out. But how exactly do we escape the maze? And where would we go?
Of course, iA has a vested interest: Their solution to the issue looks a lot like the products they sell. But the argument is solid. The essay continues:
If Europe wants to prepare for digital conflicts, it should not just swap vendors. It should leave obsolete work models behind. The smartest way to strengthen digital independence is not replacing bad software with wobbly clones. It is making work meaningful and enjoyable. Europe does not need a European Microsoft. Europe, and not just Europe, needs a post-Office model of writing, calculating, and presenting.
The best way to weaken a dependency is to stop relying on outdated systems in the first place. Good technology moves from raw to complex to simple. Itβs time to move from the complex Office to a simpler solution. So, how about plain text? Imagine writing and presentation software where all you do is think about what you want to say. The app makes sure that it looks on brand. Yes. That is not just possible. It exists already. But adapting it will require a change of habit, not just a change of vendor.