Caring Too Much, Caring Too Little: A Three Part Series

In a time where technology accelerates life’s pace, emotional fatigue, selective empathy, and performative caring are becoming common. This three part series seeks to uncover how young people navigate the complexities of caring, asking: How do we care in a world moving too fast to notice? How do we maintain empathy when it feels like nobody cares? And most importantly, how do we cultivate genuine care to build a better future for ourselves and others?

What Kind of World Are We Living In?

Tech trends come and go faster than the seasons — some with an expiration date worse than bread. But how are we coping with this rapid pace? More importantly, how do young designers feel about it? This blog aims to challenge us with an essential question: “How does the constant pressure to stay ahead impact our capacity to nurture our projects and relationships?”

The relentless speed of technological advancement is reshaping—and often overwhelming—the lives of young people today. From the fear of falling behind to the ever-present demand for productivity, this pressure impacts not only how we work but also how we connect with others. But what if we viewed this challenge as an opportunity? An opportunity for designers to rethink technology’s role—not just as a tool for innovation but as a medium to create balance, foster well-being, and enhance our shared humanity.

Tech - A Hit or Miss that impacts young designers?

Last year, CNA reported on a poll revealing that over half of Singaporeans feel technology is advancing too quickly. Interestingly, the group with the most negative views on the speed of innovation was young people aged 18-34. This is particularly surprising given the common perception of younger generations as "digital natives." Experts like Dr. Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), provided some context in the article. She noted that many Singaporeans fear that technological advancements could result in job loss for those unable to keep up.

“There is much less of a narrative of how technology is likely to create new jobs, add value to old jobs, or help existing workers with their current work. So most stories are skewed towards ‘change of die’ angles.” said Dr Gillian Goh in the article.

This insight sparked our curiosity. While the article shed light on expert perspectives, it left us wondering: how do the young people directly experiencing this feel? What does it mean for those who work in technology—or adjacent fields like design—where the expectation to stay ahead is not just an advantage but a survival skill?

This is not a challenge unique to Singapore. Across the globe, the conversation around the pros and cons of technology is heating up. Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains underscores one of the core dilemmas:

“It takes patience and concentration to evaluate new information—to gauge its accuracy, weigh its relevance and worth.”

As technology matures—and with the rapid rise of AI—we are expected to work faster than ever before, often sacrificing thoughtful engagement for immediate results. This leaves many young people feeling stretched thin, unable to truly focus on or nurture their work, relationships, or even themselves.

But pondering the issue isn’t enough. To dig deeper, we spoke to young designers and creatives about how they’re experiencing these challenges. What does the fast pace of technological change mean for their personal and professional lives? Here’s what we found out:

Young designers today are expected to learn fast and work even faster — or risk falling behind. Four out of five young designers I spoke to mentioned an over-reliance on AI and new technology to speed up their work, and all of them said it’s actively encouraged in their schools or workplaces. But technology, to them, isn’t just about AI. One designer shared how they felt pressured to learn a new 3D software, like Blender, simply because their peers were picking it up. The fear of falling behind wasn’t just about efficiency — it was about staying relevant.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. These designers also recognise the risks of adopting trends too quickly. While they rely on AI and other tools daily, they know that real understanding goes beyond just following a brief. One designer shared their experience working on a wheelchair ramp project. At first, they followed the standard guidelines, but after speaking with wheelchair users and testing the design in real life, they realised the slope was still too steep. Through multiple iterations, they created a solution that not only met the brief’s requirements but actually addressed users’ real pain points.

That said, they’re also wary of how AI is being used — or misused. Some students admitted that relying too much on AI for schoolwork left them feeling like they weren’t really learning. Outside of school, there’s concern about AI being abused, whether for spreading misinformation, enabling plagiarism, or even being used for harassment. While technology is a powerful tool, they worry that if it’s used carelessly, it could do more harm than good.

Are they moving too fast to care? When I asked, every designer I spoke to said they’re making a conscious effort to use today’s tools in a way that works for them—without falling into the trap of just ticking boxes to meet project requirements. They know technology is here to stay, but they’re approaching it with caution, recognising that while speed and accessibility can be helpful, real design still requires thought and care.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the fast lane of technological advancement poses a unique challenge for young people today. While the promise of innovation holds undeniable potential, the relentless pace often leaves them struggling to keep up, burning out, and questioning their ability to nurture what truly matters, both professionally and personally.

But there is hope. Designers have an opportunity to lead the way in rethinking how technology serves us. By creating tools and systems that prioritise balance and human connection, we can foster an environment where young people can thrive, not just keep up.

So as we continue to explore different themes in part 2 and 3, let’s take a moment to ask ourselves - are we moving too fast to truly care?