Aspect
Aspect is an AI-native social app that blends AI-generated content with social interaction. The combination introduces both cognitive erosion from AI dependency and social pressure from the community layer.
Why this score
The AI component generates content and assists with creation, introducing cognitive offloading. The social layer adds public metrics, profiles, and comparison mechanics on top.
As an emerging product, the specific engagement patterns are still developing. The structural combination of AI + social is inherently higher-risk than either alone.
The breakdown
- Attention Capture4.0
Mechanics designed to keep you in the app right now — infinite scroll, autoplay, variable rewards, and reactive swipe-tap loops.
- Habit Formation4.0
Mechanics designed to bring you back — streak coercion, default push notifications, and re-engagement of dormant users.
- Social Pressure3.0
How much the experience exploits social psychology — public metrics, profile curation, and status comparison against others.
- Time Theft4.0
Mechanics that steal more time than you intended to give — no stopping cues, short units, and 'just one more' loops.
- Cognitive Erosion4.0
Mechanics that replace your independent thinking, memory, or judgment — creating dependency on the tool to function.
- Cognitive Nourishment2.0
Whether the app actively strengthens your ability to think for yourself. Shown on the label, but it does not affect the score.