The Lazy Genius
Why Tomorrow's Consumer Internet Hits will Reduce Mental Friction
Three random but somewhat related consumer patterns I've been spending mental cycles on:
Nowadays, people want novelty without effort. They seek mental stimulation with minimal cognitive load. I believe that the platforms that'll win won't just ''entertain"; they will eliminate the very concept of work. These platforms will solve the paradox of choice while preserving the thrill of discovery (Grocery apps with "one-click reorder" outperform those with better selection but more complex interfaces).
When Spotify queues the perfect song you didn't know you needed, it creates a moment of eerie but sincere connection. This algorithmic empathy establishes a new consumer mandate: "Read my mind without invading it."
Short-format content isn't winning only because there is a supposed focus problem in the world; they win because they perfectly calibrated doses of micro-rewards. Each 30-60-second clip offers a complete narrative arc with no "thinking tax".
The most compelling startups aren't just building products. They're architecting experiences that exploit this evolving psychology: invisible interfaces, pre-emptive personalisation, and perfectly proportioned gratification loops.
Building something exciting in consumer internet? Let’s talk - shashank@gembacapital.in