We Need Systems of Convenience, Not Rewards

In our modern world, convenience drives behaviour. People will often choose the easiest path, especially in high-stress situations. This is why designing our social infrastructure to make positive choices more convenient is essential to creating a resilient society. When good choices are easier to make, it slows down social erosion and helps people lead healthier, more connected lives.

A culture of convenience refers to a society where positive choices and behaviours are made easy and accessible through thoughtful social infrastructure. This means designing environments that naturally support healthy habits and socially beneficial actions as the default option. For example, accessible public transport, walkable spaces, and healthy food availability encourage people to make good decisions without extra effort.

In this culture, negative behaviours such as unhealthy eating or social isolation become harder to maintain because they are less convenient. By prioritising infrastructure that supports baseline positive social behaviours, it becomes more difficult for poor behaviours to take root, fostering a healthier and more cohesive society.

A clear example of the role convenience plays is seen in the comparison between Western diets and Japanese diets. In many Western countries, fast food is cheap, readily available, and requires little effort to prepare. On the other hand, healthy options often need more preparation and can be more expensive. Worst case, it is often sold as a “health food” packed with hidden sugars and corn starch.

In contrast, Japan has convenience stores that sell affordable, healthy pre made meals. Fresh foods like vegetables, fish, and rice are readily accessible. As a result, Japan has lower rates of obesity compared to many Western nations, and there is a culture of people wanting healthy choices. This demonstrates that when healthy options are more convenient, people are more likely to choose them, creating a healthier society.

This is just one point, but many small changes can build up to have major impacts on society. For instance, creating walkable spaces that make walking easier than driving encourages people to be more active and socially engaged. Offering access to a variety of diverse third spaces such as parks, cafes, and community centres promotes social interaction and connection, unlike areas dominated by a few monopolised big box stores that create a “get in get out” mindset, focus on profit not people and limit choices creating  isolated people. 

These seemingly minor aspects of infrastructure and design compound over time, and when neglected, can contribute to larger societal problems like social isolation, obesity, and reduced community engagement. When we prioritise convenience for positive behaviours, we strengthen society as a whole.

Some people argue that we should reward good behaviour to encourage positive choices. However, this strategy has flaws. First, it creates extrinsic motivation. People only make good choices because of the reward. Once the reward is removed, or life becomes stressful, they might revert to easier, less beneficial behaviours.

Second, reward systems sometimes overlook the need for social cohesion and collective well-being. For instance, individual incentives might encourage actions like rapid financial trading or personal career achievements, which may not contribute to the greater social good. When rewards favour individual gains, they can unintentionally promote actions that benefit the few at the expense of the community.

Social infrastructure benefits when systems focus on collective needs, supporting access to education, healthcare, and public services. Incentivising community-based initiatives can drive meaningful contributions that help society thrive over time. By prioritising long-term goals, reward systems can build stronger, more resilient communities.

This is not a Social Credit Score either. Using gamification in social systems adding points, ranks, or other rewards to promote engagement can initially encourage participation. However, if it seems trivial or feels manipulative, it can have a negative impact. People may feel that they are being reduced to numbers rather than valued members of society. If systems don’t address deeper social needs, they can come across as superficial and may even cause disengagement.

Lasting social change requires building systems that genuinely support communities, address fundamental needs, and promote intrinsic motivation. By focusing on long-term social infrastructure rather than short-term rewards, societal systems can foster deeper connections and help communities flourish.

Focusing on a culture of convenience over rewards is about making positive behaviours the easiest choice for most people. However, this can also expose bad actors, as those who persist in negative behaviours will stand out more. When the infrastructure supports healthy, constructive actions, people engaging in poor behaviours like exploiting loopholes or acting selfishly will have to go out of their way to continue. 

As these bad actors work harder to maintain their harmful habits, their actions will become more noticeable, sticking out like a sore thumb. This makes it easier for society to identify and address these behaviours, creating a clearer contrast between positive and negative actions.

We can look at real-world examples to see how convenience shapes our choices. Take McDonald’s, for instance. Its success isn’t only based on taste but on its accessibility and speed. You can find a McDonald’s on almost every busy street corner, and the entire ordering process is streamlined to make grabbing a meal fast and effortless. People often choose McDonald’s not because it’s the best food option but because it’s the most convenient.

Consider drive-through coffee shops. Many people opt for a drive-through coffee because it’s quicker and easier than parking, waiting in line, and ordering inside. Even if they have healthier or more sustainable options nearby, the appeal of not leaving the car often outweighs those considerations. This shows how even simple convenience tweaks can shape daily behaviour.

Then, think about online shopping. If you’ve ever left an item in a digital shopping cart, you probably received a reminder email. These systems are designed to make it easy for you to return and complete your purchase. Businesses know that the more effortless they make it for you to buy, the more likely you are to do so. They’ve mastered convenience to increase sales.

Now, look at the opposite scenario. How many times have you tried to cancel a service or make a complaint, only to be left on hold for ages or directed through a maze of complicated steps? These barriers are intentionally designed to be inconvenient. Companies know that if they make the process hard, many people will give up.

These examples highlight a powerful truth: convenience influences behaviour. This is especially impactful for people who are time-poor or financially stressed. If someone working multiple jobs or struggling to make ends meet has to choose between a quick, unhealthy meal or an expensive, time-consuming healthy option, the easy route often wins. Convenience has more influence on those who lack the time or resources to make complex or difficult choices.

In short, businesses understand how to manipulate our decisions using convenience. If we apply this same principle thoughtfully to design our social infrastructure for the greater good, we can guide people toward healthier, more positive behaviours.

Building a society based on convenience is not about taking shortcuts or avoiding effort. It’s about recognising that people naturally choose what’s easiest, especially when stressed. By designing infrastructure that makes good choices simple and accessible, we can build a healthier, more resilient society. Encouraging positive interactions through convenience, not rewards, will lead to better long-term outcomes for everyone.

Thank you for reading, and if you found a part of this useful. Share so it can help others.

Also go come check out my channel on YouTube