One need not be a genius to perceive the extent to which the human-made technologies impact our lives. But how? In what direction?If one listens to the mission statements of those who create these technologies, one might be tempted to believe that the primary intent is to make the world a better place - to such an extent that it has become a cliché, reflected in the HBO mockumentary Silicon Valley. So what is your perception of how things are going? Mine echoes a quote from one of my heroes, the historian of technology Melvin Kranzberg, who’s 1st (of 7) laws states:Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral.In short, all technology has been, and will be, combination of the two. Hence, given the propensity, inevitability, and (for survival), necessity, to make new technologies, the state of the world suggests that – to tip the scales ever more towards the positive side of the equation - we invest far more in informing the technological decisions which me make – as consumers, creators, legislators, … especially given the seemingly ever-more fragile state of the world.Of course, I’m going to explain how to make this all happen in my 15 minutes of fame. (Not!). What I can promise, however, is to pass-on a torch of clues which have greatly helped me along the path of my career. That torch-passing, by the way, illustrated one of my key points.Stick with me. My operational definition of the act of creativity is the act of making the obvious obvious, before it’s obvious. I’ll do my best to make it so. Bill Buxton is a renowned researcher and designer recognized for his pioneering contributions to user experience and interaction design. With over 40 years in technology innovation, he advocates for a user-centered approach that prioritizes understanding people’s needs and behaviors. As a researcher at Microsoft Research, Bill explores the future of interaction design, sharing insights that shape engagement with digital technologies. His influential book, Sketching User Experiences, is considered foundational in the field, emphasizing the significance of sketching and prototyping in design. Bill’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian New Media Awards. A sought-after speaker, he delivers keynotes at conferences worldwide, inspiring the next generation of designers and technologists to create experiences that enhance human interaction with technology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx