Comments for Usable Interfaces

Comment on Mapping the human enome by Tom Hopkins

Tom Hopkins — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:23:53 +0000

There’s a fantastic hidden assumption here Matt which I think I think I make all the time.

As we all know, there is the ideal that because things happen in close sequence doesn’t mean that one caused the other: so NOT ‘before it therefore because of it’, or ‘correlation isn’t causation’.

Similarly, it’s easy to assume that because A was the cause of B, that A and B are of the same type, or have the same standing. But that’s not necessarily true. A bullet caused Lennon to die. A pregnancy caused him to live.

So – say the scientists – we can show that ‘near death’ experiences are caused by a chemical unbalance in the brain so they’re not ‘real’. But aren’t all experiences caused by chemical brain activity. Why does having a physical ’cause’ mean that an event can’t be spiritual, significant etc. Similarly, medicines that cure illnesses through belief (placebos) are less scientific than those that have a chemical effect. Why?

So what makes us feel joy or sadness? God? Chemistry? Reptilian brain function? Fear of death? our genomes? Does it matter? Are those sensations any less sensed?

Comment on Mapping the human enome by Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:59:01 +0000

It’s 4.45am and I’m buried in snow. You brought me here (indirectly) and yes, I fear for my life. Joking aside, will your ‘decision tree’ is already making sense, I have a couple of observations. Inadvertently you are suggesting that all our behaviors are either wholly conscious- and depressingly negative in terminus- or wholly subconscious, following a reactionary ‘sub plot’. With my rejection of the first notion, I’d suggest that (personally) the separation between my subconscious ‘schema’ and the ‘programs’ then run on it, my behaviors, is (or seems) extreme. I hope I embrace life for the sake of life, not for the avoidance of death. And self accualisation? Is this simply a methodolgy for coming to terms with my own mortality and accepting me relatively insignificant part in a rather morbid ‘grand scheme of things’. Perhaps igorance is bless.

I’m not discounting your model. I’m simply saying I’m not happy with it.

Comment on Care less Wispa by Cara Stripp

Cara Stripp — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:56:16 +0000

Hi,

I just wanted you to know, the profiles aren’t made up. I am Cara Stripp, the profile on the Wispa site is real, and based on me, a “normal” person.

You can be as cyncial as you like, an many people have, but the people involved in that campaign were genuine and Cadbury’s contacted us after seeing our involvement to discuss helping them with advertising the brand.

I actually spent alot of time going through the messages submitted – unpaid, i would like to mention – and personally chose messgaes, along with the 3 other memebers, who I have met and are real.

Comment on This must be great by janette mather

janette mather — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:21:00 +0000

Due to delays of over 18 hours on our return from Goa, is there a compensation we are entitled to, we were booked all inclusive, but on our delay only got a meal without the all inclusive. We ended up spending a further £60 which was not in our budget.

Comment on Last acts by fourstar

fourstar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:16:28 +0000

Very well put; this really jarred with me on the tube the other day as well. People don’t go to John Lewis to get it cheaper, they go for the service, the lengthy guarantee and the experience of being able to speak to an “awfully well brought up young man” who will answer patiently while they ask a lot of seemingly obvious questions. I got the ad, but it seemed really badly targeted, as you rightly say.

Comment on More Second Life losers by Reality Check

Reality Check — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:33:10 +0000

Second Life is just another outlet for snooty holier than thou hermits who are afraid to go out in the real world.

Ever notice when you ask one of those dorks what makes it so unique they get all defensive? Ah well I guess your avatar isn’t having sex with mine tonight.

No Lifers: LISTEN UP. It’ OK to admit the fact that you all NEED TO GET OUT MORE. Just do it. And stop pretending that you’re part of something special. You’re NOT.

Comment on Apples and not apples by 7 reasons « Usable Interfaces

7 reasons « Usable Interfaces — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:35:24 +0000

[...] the most misjudged result of this misunderstanding came from a Microsoft marketing with Project Mojave where Microsoft suggested that users were ‘wrong’ about Vista, which is essentially [...]

Comment on More Second Life losers by SecondLifeForRetards

SecondLifeForRetards — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:09:34 +0000

It’s a game for retards and pedeophiles.

Comment on A funny thing happened on the way to the forum by BlueHornet

BlueHornet — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:49:42 +0000

This look interesting,so far.
If it’s not just all bots here, let me know. I’m looking to network
Oh, and yes I’m a real person LOL.

Later,

Comment on No vote by Jamnastic

Jamnastic — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:37:31 +0000

[...] No vote « Usable Interfaces [...]