THE HORRORS OF DESIGNING FOR OMNISCIENCE

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

“Designing for Omniscience” means building systems that assume users are all-knowing, offering no warnings, feedback, or safeguards. This could lead to real-world harm when mistakes happen. From healthcare portals that silently fail payments to software granting interns unchecked access or financial tools lacking confirmation steps, these designs prioritize speed, legality, and efficiency over human error and protection. Systems should emphasize empathy, context, and shared responsibility to prevent catastrophic consequences.