Want to change behavior? Design something better.

The only way to change human behaviors is to design awesome things that people love. Do you want people to eat less McDonalds? Design a tastier, healthier restaurant. Do you want to get people to exercise more? Design something more engaging than sitting around watching TV. Do you want people to get tested for STDs? Design a remarkably better experience than city clinics and Planned Parenthood.

I know this sounds pie-in-the-sky, but the only way we’re going to change behavior is through innovating a better world and competing with the status quo. It’s nice to see that this “movement” is just getting started. We, as a culture, are just beginning to react to faceless corporations and the social thoughtlessness, self-seeking ways of previous generations. 

I’ve been speaking about Generation Y lately. I call Gen Y the “Clean Up Generation.” We’ve got our work cut out for us, but I’ve got nothing but hope.