Tag: design

Take an Umbrella, Leave an Umbrella

“I hate umbrellas,” the woman behind the counter sighs as she chats up the regulars. “They’re expensive and cheap. They cost money but then break really fast. I actually have a great one that I refuse to use on a windy day.” I feel the same way. Most umbrellas are crap quality and cumbersome. Could… Continue reading Take an Umbrella, Leave an Umbrella

Market segments slice us up: why I care little about your age, race, sex

I hate market segmentation. At best, it’s boring. At worst, it’s misleading. I don’t trust it. I especially hate using market segments for small studies. How much do you really have in common with someone just because they are your same age and race? And why should I care? I’m not talking about cultural identity,… Continue reading Market segments slice us up: why I care little about your age, race, sex

Why my dislike of new Caltrain cars makes me so American

“It’s because you’re American,” he tells me when I explain why I prefer riding the old Caltrain cars over the fancy, bright newer ones. I should add that I’m insulted by this statement. I have never thought of myself as living by American ideals and tend to deplore how individualistic, capitalistic, consumer-driven, car-centric, puritanical, conservative,… Continue reading Why my dislike of new Caltrain cars makes me so American

Making Culture Through Experiments – Notes on Culturematic

I just read Grant McCracken’s new book Culturematic. (Finally, an anthropologist who writes like a human!) Here are some notes, not a review, just notes to help me keep track of ideas. – A culturematic is a little machine for making culture. It is designed to test the world, discover meaning, and unleash value (p.3)… Continue reading Making Culture Through Experiments – Notes on Culturematic

Over-personalized. Google, I need some space.

Google’s constantly being praised and criticized for its products and policies. This means it’s right where it should be, on the edge, always pushing the boundaries of technology and users’ comfort levels.  In general, I love Google products. “Googling” is probably my main go-to internet activity. What’s the population of Argentina? Google it. How many… Continue reading Over-personalized. Google, I need some space.

Job Description Difficulties

When you meet someone new in the US, usually the second question out of their mouth is, “So, what do you do?” No matter what I say, 95% of the time I get a blank stare in return, and I’m tired of it! I’ve tried switching up my responses, gauging what the other person might… Continue reading Job Description Difficulties

Parking Lot Oceans Swallow Me Up

Find parking spot. Pull in. Stop the car. Unbuckle the seat belt. Gather belongings. Open the door. Left foot first. Then… SPLASH!!! You’re in the parking lot ocean. Do you know how to swim? I do. I watch for cars pulling in and backing out of spaces whose drivers might or might not see me.… Continue reading Parking Lot Oceans Swallow Me Up

Knife Rack Death Trap (Fear of Tools)

In general, I have fear. I’ve always been a pretty cautious person, thinking ahead, aware of my surroundings. My feet tingle when I’m near a cliff, I picture myself falling over. I use an x-acto knife, I picture myself slicing off my thumb. And I hate our knife rack. In our old apartment it hung… Continue reading Knife Rack Death Trap (Fear of Tools)

Airport bathrooms at the dinner table

We’re having dinner with the family over the holidays. After a couple bottles of wine, the conversation quickly devolves into potty talk – literally a discussion about toilets. We got into public toilets, and then more concretely, we really dug into toilets at the airport. Not only did I learn that I have been placing… Continue reading Airport bathrooms at the dinner table