Enough - Shewa A.

This art piece explores the idea of “friction-maxxing.” In the face of a busy, technology driven society that maximizes comfort and productivity, friction-maxxing is a relatively new idea that challenges us to reject convenience and embrace difficult tasks. An act as simple as cooking dinner instead of buying takeout could be considered friction-maxxing.

To me, “friction-maxxing” means practicing intentionality and reclaiming autonomy over my life. I used different symbols in my art to convey this message. The focus of my illustration is a vague, humanoid figure with ominous tendrils emerging from their back. These tendrils represent invasive comforts–social media, ignorance, generative AI, escapism, etc. The figure relies on these tendrils for sustenance. However, the figure has taken one tendril in their hands and squeezed until the tendril turned dark, losing its warmth/attractiveness. The figure has effectively “killed” this comfort and the control the tendril has over their life.

Friction-maxxing may seem like a simple, inconsequential practice, but I believe the mentality behind it makes it incredibly worthwhile. The way I see it, friction-maxxing means to look luxury in the eye and say, “Enough. I don’t need you to live. There is more to life than pleasure.”