Some people call Don Norman grumpy. I think he just cracks me up. He's right almost all of the time, but he's also funny about it. Look at this quote from his latest article,
People Are From Earth, Machines Are From Outer Space:
"People are from earth. Machines are from outer space. I don’t know what kind of manners they teach in outer space, but if machines are going to live here in our world, they really need to learn to behave properly. You know, when on Earth, do as the earthlings do. So, hey machines, you need to become socialized. Right now you are arrogant, antisocial, irritating know-it-alls. Sure, you say nice things like “please” and “thank you,” but being polite involves more than words."
Really and truly, why does it have to be so hard to interact with machines? Why can't machines have better manners?
"Norman’s law: The number of hours per day spent maintaining our equipment doubles every 18 months."
Indeed! Have a read of
Norman's article. I promise it's short. Please leave your opinion in the comments below.
2comments:
Very interesting article - a good read. (In my opinion I would call this a medium (not short) read - you promised short!) :) But, I'd say it was worth the time!
I love how at some point soon, according to Norman's law, we will spend more time than there is allotted in a 24 hour day to preform maintenance on the machines in our lives. Obviously, I'm on a machine right now - so are you if you are reading this!
I think with machines....we can't live without them, and we can't let them control us. What I mean is that it can be too easy to spend hour after hour, day after day in front of your computer, tv, Wii, PS2, Xbox, iPod, whatever it may be being "consumed" by it. None of these things are bad, in and of themselves. They all have a purpose and can be very entertaining, fun, educational and amusing. I do however believe that at some point, some of the time, we need to leave behind our machines and enjoy a walk in nature, an old fashioned board game, a conversation with our family, laughter at jokes told by the person next to us, etc.
Of course, don't take my electricity, running water or furnace/AC away or I might get angry! :) LOL
Thanks for the comment, karen. Sorry if it was longer than you hoped.
I suppose in the scope of War and Peace, it is short; but for online articles it is about "medium."
Incidentally, if machines had better "manners" they would "consume" less of our time and be merely peripheral and not focal.
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