Resistive objects

We explore the idea of objects that, under some contextual conditions, become less “agreeable” to the user. Such an object may lower its performance level, become less usable, or start producing discouraging stimuli. Yet, it always remains fully functional and usable. We call such objects resistive. We describe three ways, in which making an object resistive may add value to the user. The resistive object may offer feedback on the user's past improper actions. It may encourage the user to improve her behavior at the moment. Or, it may offer the user an instant, discouraging evaluation of a bad operation on the object, which she is about to perform. In each case, resistivity is meant to help the user avoid undesirable behavior and choose a better course of action. In the paper we introduce the concepts of personal and community-wide resistive objects and provide a model of object resistivity. We exemplify the concepts with a number of ideas for resistive objects. 'otably, the examples may serve as an inspiration for quite a few experiments with end users. Finally, we hint at selected research issues.