Tue 11 February 2025

I'm talking mostly about terminology, but of course, when in doubt, "I don't want your dumb app."

So, as I briefly alluded to in yesterdays blog post, most mobile apps are pretty terrible. They're generally chock full of spyware (trackers), and are inherently user-hostile.

But I want to talk about how the name itself is a dark pattern, or "PsyOp."

First, some history. "App" wasn't the universal term for "computer program" until a little over a decade ago. On most platforms, computer software was called "programs," or just "software," although on the classic Macintosh platform, it was common to refer to them as "Applications," as that is how the operating system itself referred to the file type "APPL."

By searching through Wikipedia, I found an OSNews article that traces the origin of "App" as a branding term and abbreviation for "Application" back to at least 1985. I'd link it here, but the article includes a savage invective against CamelCase that is not for the faint of heart ;)

Nevertheless, as many will still remember, it was the 2008 release of the iOS "App Store™" that really cemented "App" and promoted it from a common abbreviation to the actual proper name for "computer program."

This is genius branding. "App" is so easy to say. It rolls right off your tongue. It objectifies the complexity of computation into a simple name, simple icon, simple service. It hides a legion of calculating demons behind a pleasant face, like No-Face from Miyazaki's Spirited Away.

Like No-Face, "apps" enter your home through the innocent action of young ones, present a placid mask while consuming all in their sight.

Perhaps it's best if you put a reign on them.

100 Days to Offload 2025 - Day 11

Category: Tech Tagged: 100DaysToOffload Computing Ethics Life Non-religious post Philosophy Polemic