CES 2020 has come to a close, which means we must now face the inundation of wrap-ups, takeaways, and best/worst lists barreling towards our inboxes. While it’s tempting to ooh and aah at all the new shiny things, there’s also merit in taking a step back to remember the words of iconic fictional character Ian Malcolm.

“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should.“

We’ve proven we can make rolling robots, artificial humans, and toilets equipped with Bluetooth speakers. But did anyone stop and think if we should?

As “smart” becomes the go-to adjective for anything and everything, it feels as if we’re reaching the limit of things that truly need to be “smart.” Like the .com bubble of the late 90s, this one seems like it’s almost ready to burst.

Just look to the rise of meditation apps and flip phones as proof that the pendulum may very well be on its way back to the “dumb” ages. People will start to realize that everything doesn’t need to be wifi-connected, voice-enabled, or Bluetooth-compatible.

If my overloaded wifi router is any indication, then it seems like companies are better off creating truly utilitarian products that can work on or off the grid.