Decoding why we forgive failed tech easily

Printed glass boat. PIC/HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM

When technology fails us, frustration usually comes first, but forgiveness often follows. New research from the Ben-Gurion University examines how users respond emotionally when devices fail, revealing that technology is increasingly treated not as a tool, but as a companion.

Focus groups with young adults revealed that users describe failures in personal terms, such as feeling betrayed by a computer or let down by an app. Reactions varied: some weighed benefits against the damage, others blamed human error, and many accepted flaws as part of modern life. Familiarity with technology also influenced reactions, with confident users more likely to forgive than sceptics.

The findings suggest that companies could improve trust by acknowledging errors.

No need for extreme heat to 3D-print glass

PIC/ISTOCK

Researchers have unveiled the first binder-free method for 3D-printing glass, using light to trigger a chemical reaction that directly forms silica structures. This innovation eliminates the need for organic additives or extreme heat, making glass printing faster, cleaner, and more precise.

Traditional glass 3D printing relies on chemical binders that must be later burned out, often resulting in cracks and defects. The new technique utilises a photo-induced sol-gel reaction, where light solidifies the material without the need for binders.