Beyond Features and Functions: Is Technology Missing What Humans Really Need? with Leah Reich

Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast
Beyond Features and Functions: Is Technology Missing What Humans Really Need? with Leah Reich
Apr 14, 2025 Episode 59
Tom Anderson & Jeff Battersby

We sit down with writer and user researcher Leah Reich to explore the complex relationship between technology and the humans who use it. Leah shares insights from her newsletter and writing career before diving into the evolving landscape of user research in tech companies, including her time at Slack, Spotify, and Meta/Instagram.

We discuss the delicate balance between serving user needs and business goals, and examine the concerning industry shift away from comprehensive user research. Leah offers her personal perspective on the Apple Watch experience and we explore the broader implications of gamification in our digital lives—questioning whether turning everything into a game truly serves our wellbeing.


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Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen


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