Prateek Chaurasiya

Student

Prateek Chaurasiya is an Information Technology engineering student who is as comfortable debugging code as he is getting lost in the verses of a Ghazal. A dedicated fan of Qawwali, Prateek values the resonance of a good story—whether it's told through a sophisticated software program or a soulful musical performance.

"I am deeply passionate about the intersection of cognitive science and digital design. I spend my time exploring how we can build tools that respect human biological limits rather than exploit them. I’m also a big advocate for 'digital minimalism' and finding ways to maintain deep focus in an era of constant algorithmic distraction."

The Idea: "Human-Centric Friction: Why we must intentionally slow down the automation of our lives."The Pitch: We are obsessed with making every digital interaction "frictionless." But friction is where critical thinking and human connection happen. I want to show how reintroducing intentional "slow points" in technology can actually improve mental health and decision-making in a world moving too fast for our biology.

I always struggled with productivity until I watched Tim Urban’s talk on procrastination. It didn't just give me tips; it made me realize I wasn't alone, which led me to start a local meetup group.

"I’m surprisingly good at active listening and mediation. I have a natural ability to help people find common ground during disagreements by really hearing what isn't being said. I believe that understanding different perspectives is the first step toward any great idea."