Automation

Isn't it funny the more things we try to automate, the more of a pain it ends up being? At one point does a "workflow" become a "crapflow" of broken and over-engineered features? I see them constantly in my line of work, and the way to prevent that is good communication and analysis skills - as well as being able to talk openly to people to figure out what they want, not what your resume wants.

Directions

Things tend to go in directions. Not moving cars, or paths of walking people - but trends, technologies, and even ways of life.

With the dawning of the MMORPG genre (Ultima Online, EverQuest) - there was a direction toward simulating your real life as much as possible in a virtual life. Obviously, your simulated virtual life had cool things like spells and weapons, but it was very much geared toward making it as "close to real" as possible.

I wonder where technology is going - specifically the use of personal computers and computing devices. A few years ago someone could say "smaller" or even "faster." I think these days that's a given, though.

I tend to think that technology is going nowhere unless it actually becomes easier to use. But by virtue of becoming easier to use, you have to be incredibly more complicated. Take for example an articulated action figure. It can pose in any way a human can, making it a very simple replica of a human body. But, it requires so many moving parts, and so many exceptions to be able to make those movements possible.

The more flooded your piece of technology is with options, features, and functionality - there is more of a challenge in making that technology intuitive, easy to use, and presented in a way that demonstrates pure utter simplicity. This often requires having eyes on board that aren't classically trained in technology - artists, writers, musicians - that can provide that aesthetic touch and bridge the gap between technology and usability.