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I think Waze uses psychology more than their competitors, and I'll tell you how. They give the appearance of being quicker. Journeys with Waze feel faster. You
by thinkingemote 9y ago
I think Waze uses psychology more than their competitors, and I'll tell you how.
They give the appearance of being quicker. Journeys with Waze feel faster. Your brain is more active when driving a Waze route. You remember driving along a Waze route.
Most people when they commute enter autopilot mode. They often can't remember the details of what they were doing 20 minutes ago when they arrive at their destination. People commuting often do not need Sat Navs - they will be driving the same way twice a day for months if not years. To change to an active mode of driving where you pay attention and are out of auto pilot makes it feel more faster. Magicians and story tellers will tell you that it's the memory of the performance or story which counts the most - what the user takes with them after is important, and can be shaped.
More turns, more intersections. More fast stretches of road (and more stops) makes for a more exhilarating experience driving. It might not be more quicker, or it might be. Most (i.e. not HN readers) people won't notice, or if takes a little bit longer, they will feel that it's quicker.
Remember - Waze had gamification built right into the platform. Drivers were encouraged to go out of their normal way, to engage with the platform for years. They know what gamification means at a psychological level.
Regular routing considers shortest path, quickest route, simplest paths, stick to highways etc. Waze prioritises driving that makes the user appreciate Waze more.
- gnode 9y agoI haven't used Waze, but this is something that I do consciously. I find it's more beneficial for my mental well-being to choose a less direct, longer route, that I can drive continuously on, over a quicker but more congested route with lots of waits in queues and at traffic lights. I'm reminded of a comment I read on HN the other day, which expressed that anger arises from being blocked from progressing by things outside of your control but not outside of possibility. People generally don't care if something takes a long time, they care when they notice reasons why it need not take as long a time as it does.
- garyrichardson 9y agoI also experience this. When I'm actually driving I feel like I'm actually doing something. My blood pressure rises if I'm queued up at a light for 3 cycles. In theory, I want more roundabouts in my area but I don't know if it actually increases flow.
- HillaryBriss 9y agothis is what i've heard from various ride share drivers too. Waze just keeps you moving. doesn't necessarily get you there any sooner.
- tmaly 9y agoI prefer to have a drive environment that requires a less active mental state so I can think or listen to an audio book. Waze is some cases is not literally faster as it seems the traffic can build up faster than a recommended route change can happen.
- sli 9y agoMy biggest issue with Waze is that (in my mind, admittedly) it very blatantly promotes using your phone while driving. Case in point: because the location where a mark goes is based purely on GPS, I can't pass a speed trap and manually mark it on the map later when I'm done driving. If I want to mark it, I have to do it right then while I'm driving. If I want to participate, I need a passenger. I assume the excuse is that it's to prevent people from just sticking random things on the map and muddying the data, but I fail to see how that is any different from normal use. Can't I just report speed traps anytime I want, regardless of whether or not they exist? Sure, there's always the option of just not participating in the crowdsourcing, and that's fine. But not everyone is going to take that option, because people are... well, people, and they act like people do. A disclaimer just doesn't cut it.