Abstract

Positive Sum Design is a critique of zero-sum bias, and an approach to the design process that seeks greater aggregate value for all stakeholders by reframing constraints and creatively aligning users’ incentives and needs away from zerosum games. This paper examines several principles of Positive Sum Design against two case studies. The first case study examines affordances for trust and communication in the ride-sharing industry. The second examines affordances for producing and consuming knowledge in the design of Wikipedia. We set these examples against a critical framework of fundamental principles of Positive Sum Design, including the Mutability of Constraints, the Multivalence of Utility, and the development of Affordances for Trust and Communication.