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The usage of the word empathy in design has careened into over-intellectualization, methinks.
Sometimes someone does something because they didn’t have time or focus, it’s not that deep.
Sometimes someone does something because they didn’t have time or focus, it’s not that deep.
We spent a really long time insisting we’re “not just UI.”
Except sometimes we are and that’s fine too. You don’t need to know someone’s personal details to observe a flow which isn’t work for them.
Except sometimes we are and that’s fine too. You don’t need to know someone’s personal details to observe a flow which isn’t work for them.
Yes, there’s *some* cases where maybe understanding of an emotional state matters: like empty states celebrating birth for expectant mothers (for some mothers this story doesn’t end well).
Those cases aren’t as numerous as we pretend.
Those cases aren’t as numerous as we pretend.
I worry that over-intellectualizing situations we don’t fully understand is another symptom of armchair psychology on the internet and egocentric thinking: just because you kind of think you know what’s happening, doesn’t mean that you do.
Note in my own example, I used the word “understanding” not empathy.
You don’t need to know or theorize what it’s like to lose a child to consider, “this may not work for some people.”
Not empathy; acknowledgement of breath of experience.
You don’t need to know or theorize what it’s like to lose a child to consider, “this may not work for some people.”
Not empathy; acknowledgement of breath of experience.
IMO acknowledgement of different experience is the crux of being a non-egocentric adult... when you accept your perception of the world isn’t the only one.
Maybe a tad ironic, given the aggressive approach taken to empathy-shoving the industry took.
Maybe a tad ironic, given the aggressive approach taken to empathy-shoving the industry took.
Personally, the approach of demanding “be empathetic” is vague and confusing. If we’re bidding for respect of our profession, I don’t think that’s the way.
But y’know, different strokes, different folks. I appreciate a more pragmatic approach.
But y’know, different strokes, different folks. I appreciate a more pragmatic approach.
A lot of my recent thoughts around this have been shaped recently by a quote, “the soft bigotry of low expectations” and some movie analyses about the tyranny of the tragic backstory.
Sometimes things are exactly as they seem. Your UI is confusing.
Sometimes things are exactly as they seem. Your UI is confusing.
