What it is
Enchildification is my word for a culture that keeps adults childish. Gamified everything, points and streaks and badges, outrage served like candy, products designed for impulse instead of judgment. Others call it infantilization.
The cost isn’t that adults play. Play is good. The cost is adults who never get asked to grow up.
How it shows up for me
I noticed it watching one of my kids play a game, and then realizing the apps on my own phone used the exact same tricks on me. I want to keep my playfulness and lose the part that’s being trained.