The Seesaw Principle
Note: The Seesaw Principle is a term coined by Adri Mukund, who retains all rights to it. This outline serves as a brief introduction to the concept, with a full paper to follow soon.
Ever noticed how a seesaw feels strange when it’s perfectly balanced? Sure, it’s possible to achieve that delicate middle ground, but it doesn’t exactly spark joy. It’s when one side goes up, and the other side comes down that the fun begins. This simple playground truth also speaks to something much deeper: our natural tendency to gravitate toward extremes. I call this The Seesaw Principle, a concept I’ve coined to explain how we, especially in the context of design and everyday choices, prefer extremes over balance.
Definition: People only accept what’s either exceptionally good or extremely bad — anything in between is overlooked.
Why Do We Love Extremes?
Let’s break it down. Think about the content you consume daily — social media posts, news, design, even the products you buy. Chances are, you remember the content that either wowed you or made you cringe. The stuff that falls somewhere in the middle? It gets lost in the noise. In fact, studies in psychology support this: people tend to judge experiences based on the most intense moments, not the average of them all. This is why extreme experiences stick in our minds.
Now, take this to the world of design. Whether you’re browsing a website, looking at an ad, or just observing your surroundings, you’ll notice how extreme designs grab your attention. A flashy, over-the-top design may feel loud, while a poorly executed one might seem cheap. But both get noticed. It’s the balanced, well-composed designs that often go under the radar.
A Cultural Lens: India’s Taste for Extremes
Culturally, especially in India, there’s a unique relationship with design quality. Here, people often prefer what they’re used to, even if it’s not particularly well-executed. Familiarity breeds comfort. So, even though design education and appreciation are still evolving, many consumers don’t realize when they’re settling for bad design because that’s all they know. This ties into The Seesaw Principle — people are more likely to engage with the familiar “bad” designs at one extreme than with subtle, balanced, high-quality ones.
Examples from Life: Seeing Extremes Everywhere
To make this even clearer, look at a few common examples:
- Entertainment: The most popular movies or shows aren’t the ones that are just okay. It’s either the blockbusters with big explosions or deeply emotional stories that make an impact.
- Social Media: Posts that go viral are often the ones that trigger outrage or awe. Balanced, moderate content? It tends to get buried under the algorithm.
The Seesaw in Design
Design works the same way. Let’s say you’re creating a website. If you push the boundaries with bold, experimental choices, you’ll get attention. Go too far the other way with a messy, confusing layout, and people will still talk about it (though not for the right reasons). But a design that’s “just fine” might not make waves at all. The extremes get the reaction, while balance often fades into the background.
How It Impacts Us
This preference for extremes doesn’t just affect what we consume, but how we think about quality itself. In markets like India, the general acceptance of poor design creates a cycle where consumers can’t even distinguish between good and bad. The “bad” side of the seesaw becomes their standard because they’ve seen it so often. Meanwhile, the “good” side might feel foreign or intimidating.
Key Points
- Extremes Get Noticed: “Bad” and “Good” stand out because they’re the two boldest ends, grabbing attention easily.
- Mediocre Gets Ignored: The middle, “Mediocre,” often goes unnoticed because it lacks impact or appeal.
- Balance Point: The triangle could represent “Tension,” holding everything in place and preventing the seesaw from tipping.
- Familiarity Bias: People sometimes prefer what’s on the “Bad” side because it feels familiar, especially in certain markets like India.
- Constant Shift: The seesaw shows that preferences move between good and bad, with the tension keeping everything balanced.
Final Thoughts
The Seesaw Principle is all around us, shaping how we interact with the world. From the products we buy to the content we engage with, it’s the extremes that capture our attention. While balance is often more sustainable and better in the long run, it rarely excites us in the same way. Understanding this can help designers, marketers, and creators better connect with their audience by embracing these natural tendencies toward extremes — without sacrificing quality.
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