I think this book is probably useful if English is not your first language or if leadership doesn't come naturally to you in any way. I found some sec...moreI think this book is probably useful if English is not your first language or if leadership doesn't come naturally to you in any way. I found some sections pretty silly and many phrases, if used, would sound very canned. I was expecting more narrative and compelling examples along with activities.
My partner ordered this book because word of mouth said that it was pretty good. Again, we just aren't the right audience for it. (less)
I had no idea just how relevant this book still is. Things may have improved in 50 years, but this book is still a stark reflection of the social inju...moreI had no idea just how relevant this book still is. Things may have improved in 50 years, but this book is still a stark reflection of the social injustices that lead to so many women leading unfulfilling and vapid lives, domestic violence, pay gap issues, and why there are so few women in technical fields. I am floored. (less)
My children's school gave this book to me to explain their philosophy. I found myself agreeing with most of it, much like how I agree with my Chinese...moreMy children's school gave this book to me to explain their philosophy. I found myself agreeing with most of it, much like how I agree with my Chinese year animal. The advice and descriptions are so bland that they are easy to agree with. I didn't like the overall theme that children will do what they like when they like and how they like because they "naturally" develop. That goes against much of what developmental psychologists have pushed against for the last 20 years. But I think what is most important is to know that time with your child is precious and a reminder to cherish that time never hurts. (less)
After reading this book it makes a lot of sense to me why it has been on the best sellers list for so long. I heard Tina Fey on NPR about 6 months ago...moreAfter reading this book it makes a lot of sense to me why it has been on the best sellers list for so long. I heard Tina Fey on NPR about 6 months ago talking about this books, and it just sounded a bit too serious for me. Fey was talking about how she wanted to write this book because she is a producer and she used to be head writer at SNL, and she gets asked about what it is like leading all those people. And, she didn’t think that Donald Trump or any other male leader for that matter gets ask those kinds of questions. And, while I knew it would be funny, I generally don’t read non-fiction unless it is UX... so I put off reading it for some time.
However, I’m really glad I picked it up eventually because it was a great book that made me laugh a lot (when I don’t feel like laughing too much right now). The chapters are short and Fey doesn’t get too preachy. We even disagree about some topics (e.g., breastfeeding, dealing with workplace sexism), and I still really enjoyed hearing her perspective. I didn’t think it was possible, but I think that Tina Fey is even more amazing than before.(less)
Confession time. I only ended up reading about half of this book. I just couldn't go any further. Here are the things I got out of it:
1. Diffusion res...moreConfession time. I only ended up reading about half of this book. I just couldn't go any further. Here are the things I got out of it:
1. Diffusion research is actually a whole research area that people study. 2. It stemmed from studying agricultural technology spread (e.g., who has the best tractors). 3. There is a whole system that shows what early adopters are compared to the tipping point. Malcolm Gladwell's books is probably much more enjoyable to learn about this point.
This book is decently old in the science it provides. But, it is a bit of a staple when wanting to discuss any new technology revolution. So I'm glad I got about half way through it. Maybe in 10 years I'll force my way through the second half. It might help if the book was less than like 400 pages. (less)
I feel a bit like littlefoot in the Land Before TIme. I've gone from being surrounded by academics, and UX academics to boot, to now be surrounded by...moreI feel a bit like littlefoot in the Land Before TIme. I've gone from being surrounded by academics, and UX academics to boot, to now be surrounded by mostly CS engineers who say things to me like, "Well, that is the way we originally made it" when I ask why something is placed in the interface I'm working on. While the engineers around me tend to be supportive and considerate, it is a bit disorienting in this brave new workplace. Which is why I went looking for others like myself and found the UX Book Club of DC.
Now, I have yet to go - the first meeting is next week - but, I'm pretty excited. Well, excited like you might be to go meet a set of what you hope are cool people who will understand when you say things like, "Well, I don't like shading my buttons is red because I think it is a false affordance" or "this interface needs to be more post-structuralist" or "users understand contextual elements in an interface because of the step they are in their task." Le sigh. So I'm hoping that I get to meet a great set of people, and in the process get to read a book every month.
This month the book is Predictably Irrational, but Dan Ariely. Fair warning, it is a bit of a pop psychology book. In fact, I would put it right in the bucket with Chaldini's Influence, and others of that ilk - books about why people behave the way they do, and how to understand those behavior. These kinds of books are incredibly useful when your explain things to developers for why interfaces are designed the way they are. Because, believe me, if it were just as easy as saying, "Design an intuitive, simple, and clean interface" I wouldn't have a job. There is a lot more that goes into an interface, and part of that is understanding the user. Books like Predictably Irrational help people understand why users sometimes behave in unusual ways, but how to predict those actions.
The book is very well written. But, that is what you'd expect from a book that has sold a couple million copies. The science behind the experiments presented in the book are well couched with a conversational tone that helps explain the madness in a meaningful way to the reader. The chapters are also well broken down, with some chapters having a follow-up section of related materials in the revised edition.
However, the book is a bit predictable and just a tad preachy. By the middle of the book I had got the gist of the book - people do crazy thing. Some of those include blue collar stealing, why we value our own possessions more than others, why we have problems making choices, and the placebo effect. I mean, I get it. I get that we, as humans, do crazy things. And by about the middle of the book I had lost interest. I wanted something a lot more zany, I guess.
I recommend this book for one and all - I think it has great mass appeal. I look forward to talking to the UX Book Club about it! (less)
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