Breaking the Scroll: Discovering a Better Way to Navigate
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WIRED
The article explores the evolution of scrolling as a dominant metaphor for navigating digital space, from the early days of desktop computers to the rise of smartphones. It discusses how the shift to smaller screens altered our sense of movement and freedom within digital content, reducing the act of "surfing" to tapping on a tiny rectangle. The infinite scroll, enabled by social media algorithms, has become a central element of our digital lives, reinforcing the addictive and extractive nature of the online attention economy. The article also highlights the historical significance of scrolls as the first form of portable, editable media and their continued use in art and literature.