The Design Of Everyday Things vs. The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
The Design Of Everyday Things
Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious -- even liberating -- book, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization. The Design of Everyday Things shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time. The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how -- and why -- some products satisfy customers while others only f...
The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
"The Bed of Procrustes" is a collection of aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that distills his philosophical insights into short, thought-provoking statements. The title refers to the Greek myth of Procrustes, symbolizing the tendency to force things into unnatural conformity. Through these aphorisms, Taleb critiques modern society's flaws, biases, and misconceptions, offering a sharp, often humorous, commentary on topics ranging from knowledge and science to wealth and human behavior. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy deep, philosophical musings and appreciate Taleb's sharp wit and unconventional perspectives.
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| Concise and impactful | 1 | |
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| Covers a wide range of topics | 1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
'The Design Of Everyday Things' focuses on usability and practical design principles that can be applied to everyday objects, making it highly practical for readers interested in improving their understanding of design. In contrast, 'The Bed of Procrustes' offers philosophical aphorisms that provoke thought and reflection but may not provide direct practical applications. Therefore, if you are looking for actionable insights, 'The Design Of Everyday Things' may be considered more practical.
'The Bed of Procrustes' covers a wide range of topics through its aphorisms, addressing various aspects of modern society, knowledge, and human behavior. In contrast, 'The Design Of Everyday Things' is primarily focused on design principles and cognitive psychology related to everyday objects. Therefore, if you are looking for a book that explores a broader array of subjects, 'The Bed of Procrustes' would be the better choice.
'The Bed of Procrustes' is noted for its wit and thought-provoking aphorisms, which can make it more engaging for readers who enjoy philosophical musings and humor. On the other hand, 'The Design Of Everyday Things' is more focused on practical design concepts, which may appeal to readers interested in usability and cognitive psychology. Engagement may depend on personal preference for philosophical versus practical content.
'The Design Of Everyday Things' is a book that explores the principles of good product design. It argues that many common usability issues stem from poor design that ignores the needs of users and cognitive psychology principles. The book emphasizes making controls and functions visible, using natural relationships, and applying intelligent constraints to guide users effortlessly.
The author of 'The Design Of Everyday Things' is Don Norman, a renowned cognitive scientist and usability engineer known for his contributions to the field of design.
'The Design Of Everyday Things' discusses several key principles of good design, including making things visible, exploiting natural relationships between controls and their functions, and using constraints intelligently to guide users towards the right actions.
'The Design Of Everyday Things' is considered a powerful primer on design because it provides clear, actionable guidelines for creating user-friendly products. It explains why certain designs frustrate users and offers practical solutions to make products more intuitive and satisfying to use.
'The Bed of Procrustes' is a collection of aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that distills his philosophical insights into short, thought-provoking statements. The title refers to the Greek myth of Procrustes, symbolizing the tendency to force things into unnatural conformity. Through these aphorisms, Taleb critiques modern society's flaws, biases, and misconceptions, offering a sharp, often humorous, commentary on topics ranging from knowledge and science to wealth and human behavior. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy deep, philosophical musings and appreciate Taleb's sharp wit and unconventional perspectives.
Pros of 'The Bed of Procrustes' include its concise and impactful nature, its witty and thought-provoking content, and the wide range of topics it covers. However, a con noted by some readers is that it may feel fragmented.
