Its a little funny reading the Design of Everyday Things in 2008 when it was published twenty years ago. In chapter 3, Norman poses a question to the reader, "Would you like a pocket-size device that reminded you of each appointment & daily event?" I laughingly realize that I would be completely lost without my BlackJack and hope, if Norman is still alive, he's found one for himself.
I've never been too good at remembering names and was only nominally better at numbers but these days?? Whew. If you've ever seen Disney's "Finding Nemo" I'm Dori. If you haven't seen it just know - I have NO short term memory anymore. I need constant reminding.
Norman says, "One of the most important and interesting aspects of the role of the interplay between knowledge in the head and in the world." I've tried to remember appointments by rehearsal. I've found it only works right before I go to bed but if I don't set up another reminder once I wake up, flash-bang, its gone! I've also tried transferring the knowledge to the outside world. The problem with writing things down on paper is that I would forget where I put the paper. So I became a Post-It addict. I had Post-Its on the bathroom mirror, bright pink ones in books, different sized ones in my wallet, animal Post-Its on the dashboard and the sun visor in the car. But adhesive only lasts so long.
But now, technology has finally caught up with my rapidly failing memory and given me the perfect reminding device - the Smart Phone aka Crackberry, iPhone, whatever your flavor. My phone knows and does everything. Do I have an assignment due? I don't know, I'll ask the phone. When is grandma's birthday? Better ask the phone. How do I get there from here? What's the lowest gas price? What movie did I see her in? Where am I supposed to be right now? Its all in the phone!
...now where did I put that thing anyway?
Norman, D. A. (1988). The Design of Everyday Things. New York: Doubleday
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1 comment:
Tanya,
This is a great post, and one I can totally identify with. I, too, am among the memory deprived generation ... it's just a number, right? Anyway, the thing I find the most annoying about today's phones is they get smaller and smaller and smaller. It is already difficult to see the numbers, but now trying to dial a number is becoming just as difficult. Of course, I don't suppose we would welcome phones as big as calculators, either, so the voice dial features are wonderful!
Tammi :)
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