The Fun Theory

I recently read a great book called Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. At the core of the book is the notion of inertia and the power of the default -- and knowing this, what can be done to gently nudge people towards decisions that are ultimately better for them and their health (while still leaving them power to make whatever decision they want). For example: they note the significant change in outcomes and purchasing decisions when fruit is placed at eye level with children in school cafeterias, rather than candy and dessert.

Peter, an obstetrician working with IHI who spent a week consulting with us at LifeSpring, talked about something similar: devising an overall system so that the easy, default option is the also the safest option in a hospital setting.

My friend Chris takes this one step further. During our Acumen fellowship, he was always known for asking: "How can x be more fun?" -- whether "x" is going to the doctor for an antenatal care checkup, buying glasses, or marketing an ambulance. He recently sent this great video on "The Fun Theory," asking what if taking stairs can be made more fun?! To watch, click here.

What's interesting is that in the end, these are all ultimately design challenges and solutions -- makes me think back to our design sessions with IDEO all these years back. One thing's for sure: I wish someone would install something like these musical steps in Hyderabad!

Then again, I think I'd settle for sidewalks.