"Flow" & Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

In one of our guest lectures we saw a video which was about the concept of Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

In simple terms the research showed that people were generally unhappy "doing nothing", were generally happy doing things, and generally knew very little about what made them happy.


Applying the flow concept to our digital dinner :

1. Completely involved focused, concentrating : the user of our webpage would be completely involved in his activities while browsing for information etc

2. Sense of ecstasy - being outside reality
By browsing pictures, videos, links - it will give user many different experiences just by being seated in front of his screen

3. Greater inner clarity : knowing what needs to be done
Instructions would be there on the page to guide the user to facilitate any activities he would like to do.

4. Knowing that activity is doable
Simple instructions will be available and the fact that other users will have posted videos, texts etc will show that is easy to do so for the user as well

5. Sense of serenity - no worries about self, feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of ego
On the page, user will be able to share experiences, be able to express themselves free, free from any worries about self in various forums

6. Timeliness - thoroughly focused on present, don't notice time passing
When on the site, the user will be so absorbed in browsing pictures, videos, sharing information that in a way they will not find time passing by.

7. Intrinsic motivation - whatever produces "flow" becomes its own reward
The intrinsic motivations such a challenge/fantasy/curiosity/novelty/surprise have been discussed earlier in my blog