Recently, I have been reflecting more on the Engagement-at-all-cost philosophy introduced in the documentary 'The Social Dilemma'. While pondering on the means to encourage intentional smart phone use for a project, I realized the similarity between the words flow, immersion, and engagement. They all seem to fit within the same category of words but their use are distinguished in certain context and industry.

Immersion–AR/VR & Gaming industry
Defn: Deep mental involvement (Google)

Flow–Productivity & Psychology
Defn: Being in the zone (Wikipedia)

Engagement–Marketing & Consumer technology
Defn: Occupy, attract, or involve one's attention (Google)

They all seem to be trying to describe the same experience of being fully involved. VR headsets are tools to help us experience a different reality. Flow is a euphoric state of effortless focus. Engagement is occupying one's attention, often leading to certain actions. They all are very similar.

Let's try to distinguish them by user's willingness to be fully involved. Gamers *intends* to play an immersive game. People *wants* to achieve the state of flow. But I am hesitant to say that smart phone users always desire engagements.

One prominent example is push notifications. The dings, pings, and rings that draws our attention for better or worse. This largely leaves responsibilities for the users.

Perhaps this difference is why it is so critical for developers & designers in the tech industry to be attuned to user's intention. Marketers must become wise in what content to notify users. Designers *must* empower users to customize what, when, and how they want to be engaged.