AI-Native
The Friction Spiral
Also known as: Friction Spiral
AI is technically brilliant but so painful to use that nobody bothers, creating chronic low-grade cortisol.
The Friction Spiral happens when a product requires excessive setup, complex prompting, constant manual correction, or doesn't integrate with existing tools. The AI creates 'different work,' not less work. The constant hassle creates chronic, low-grade frustration—a cortisol drip. Users weigh cognitive load against value received. When friction is too high, the relationship feels exhausting. Users eventually break up with the tool and revert to familiar workflows. The warning sign: usage drops below the level needed to sustain the product.