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Ruined by Design: How Designers Destroyed the World, and What We Can Do to Fix It
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The world is working exactly as designed.
The combustion engine which is destroying our planet’s atmosphere and rapidly making it inhospitable is working exactly as we designed it. Guns, which lead to so much death, work exactly as they’re designed to work. And every time we “improve” their design, they get better at killing. Facebook’s privacy settings, which have outed ga ...more
The combustion engine which is destroying our planet’s atmosphere and rapidly making it inhospitable is working exactly as we designed it. Guns, which lead to so much death, work exactly as they’re designed to work. And every time we “improve” their design, they get better at killing. Facebook’s privacy settings, which have outed ga ...more
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Start your review of Ruined by Design: How Designers Destroyed the World, and What We Can Do to Fix It
I’m giving this book four stars on a curve because I believe it needs to exist for the audience it was written for: white tech bros who will only listen to another white tech bro (the author basically says as much).
I’m a WOC working in tech and I’m certain many of us minority folk already know most of this stuff through experience and necessity. Diverse hiring practices bring more perspectives to the table and result in a better product. Big social media platforms will never be in the business o ...more
I’m a WOC working in tech and I’m certain many of us minority folk already know most of this stuff through experience and necessity. Diverse hiring practices bring more perspectives to the table and result in a better product. Big social media platforms will never be in the business o ...more
A piece about design ethics, while the writer focuses solely on US-based issues, ignoring the rest of the design world. Quotes like "If you work at company X, you should quit now" are pathetic, giving the fact that there are designers outside of your six figure-paycheck bubbles, basically pushing whole families just a bit over the poverty lines thanks to "unethical" companies. Extremely opinionated, irrational and at times god-awfully cliched. I get the point of it, I respect a couple of parts o
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A good rant
There were times I wanted to rate this book 4 stars, other times 2. I split the difference. Some very valid points. Sometimes just a rant.
There were times I wanted to rate this book 4 stars, other times 2. I split the difference. Some very valid points. Sometimes just a rant.
I tried. I really tried to push through and read it all. I couldn't. I started to have doubts right at the start when it reads like a blog post bashing Twitter, Uber, FB... Then politics got mixed and we got into a Trump bashing frenzy. I'm the last person to support him, but if I'm reading a book on design (or so I thought) I don't expect US politics to be the central topic.
Then we got to this: "While the study doesn’t make a conclusive connection between mental health and social media because ...more
Then we got to this: "While the study doesn’t make a conclusive connection between mental health and social media because ...more
The World is Ruined By Design.
In this book, Mike takes the task the generations of designers who have let terrible things happen on their watch. From the Facebook designers who allow the company to harvest all of our data, to the designers of cages to put immigrant children in. At every level, Designers have both helped and hindered humanity, and the latter often feels like it’s winning.
Read this book if you’re interested in how you, as a designer, can make the world a better place for humanit ...more
In this book, Mike takes the task the generations of designers who have let terrible things happen on their watch. From the Facebook designers who allow the company to harvest all of our data, to the designers of cages to put immigrant children in. At every level, Designers have both helped and hindered humanity, and the latter often feels like it’s winning.
Read this book if you’re interested in how you, as a designer, can make the world a better place for humanit ...more
Have you ever wanted to read a 200 page twitter thread of tepid "hot" takes whose only common thread seems to be 'directionless anger'?
good news! here's the book. ...more
good news! here's the book. ...more
There is absolutely nothing about you that makes you different than anyone else. (p.14)
Every human being on this planet is obligated to do their best to leave this planet in better shape than we found it. Everyone on the planet is obligated to respect every other human being on this planet. (p.19)
A designer’s job is always to look out for society’s best interest. (p.52)
This job isn’t about helping Nike sell shoes; it’s about making sure everyone has shoes. (p.208)
These sentences and the like rai ...more
Essential reading and a call to action for anyone working in the tech industry*. We had the chance to make digital products work for people, but instead chose to prioritize profits and egos to build platforms where Nazis run free, and products that help lock children in cages or sell our private data to the highest bidder. It's time we acknowledge that moving fast breaks not just things but the lives of people, especially those already marginalized and vulnerable.
The author argues for redefinin ...more
The author argues for redefinin ...more
Great points on design ethics and licensing. Everything else is highly uninformed, social justice trend chasing rant looking at world through the distorted silicon valley lens. Lacks the global big picture view of how majority of the world runs. Granted most of the statements apply to most industries across the globe, but most of them also miss the mark or are too general. Important concepts such as free speech are barely covered, or are looked at in the US context without any historical, global
...more
Thought provoking and important - I’ll echo another reviewer here: I think this is an excellent book for the targeted audience. A bit repetitive, and it was definitely a rant, but the content is worth reading and considering. I don’t think I’d ever read a book like this on my own, which is reason #6,284 of why I love my book club.
I want to give this three and a half stars, but I'll round up because this book needs to be read by folks in the profession that aren't already highly invested in design ethics.
Reading this feels like a really, really long rant. Because it is. It's probably longer than it needs to be. And if you are already invested in the idea of designers (and those who make things) needing to be ethical then it will feel like a lot of "no shit" and "I already know this" and maybe even "why am I wasting my ti ...more
Reading this feels like a really, really long rant. Because it is. It's probably longer than it needs to be. And if you are already invested in the idea of designers (and those who make things) needing to be ethical then it will feel like a lot of "no shit" and "I already know this" and maybe even "why am I wasting my ti ...more
Required reading for any designer whether you work on the web, building apps, or making anything really. There’s something here for you. Mike pulls no punches in the way only he does. And we need to hear it.
Blunt, no hold bared, opinionated, the is akin to a "Papanek" book for this day and age. You know that when the first page is:
"This book is dedicated to Bahtiyar Duysak, who, for eleven glorious minutes in 2017, deactivated Donald Trump's twitter account"
In the current day of politically correct midfield, Mike just go straight away. It's refreshing! He writes with passion and direct language about the Silicon Valley "ethics" and the responsibility of Designers for the terrible we are currently l ...more
"This book is dedicated to Bahtiyar Duysak, who, for eleven glorious minutes in 2017, deactivated Donald Trump's twitter account"
In the current day of politically correct midfield, Mike just go straight away. It's refreshing! He writes with passion and direct language about the Silicon Valley "ethics" and the responsibility of Designers for the terrible we are currently l ...more
As a designer I follow Mike Monteiro on Twitter and his video on YouTube "F*ck you, Pay Me" was a huge influence on framing clear language and boundaries with clients on payment.
When I saw him promoting his new book I was over to Audible straight away to get it. Extra bonus was it was also read by Mike! I've listened several times and always pick out something new or find a bit that is exceptionally relevant to ongoing work.
If you design or create you must read this. Truly what we put out into ...more
When I saw him promoting his new book I was over to Audible straight away to get it. Extra bonus was it was also read by Mike! I've listened several times and always pick out something new or find a bit that is exceptionally relevant to ongoing work.
If you design or create you must read this. Truly what we put out into ...more
Fierce and empowering 💥
I agree with Mike that as designers we have focused for far too long on *how* to do our craft better instead of asking *why* we're doing it, and for what purpose. The topic of ethics in design is finally here (and late to the party), and I completely agree with Mike's rage on the subject. Tough love is what we need right now.
The one question I still have and do not feel like this book has answered is - 'how does anyone know at the moment of discovery where their work will ...more
I agree with Mike that as designers we have focused for far too long on *how* to do our craft better instead of asking *why* we're doing it, and for what purpose. The topic of ethics in design is finally here (and late to the party), and I completely agree with Mike's rage on the subject. Tough love is what we need right now.
The one question I still have and do not feel like this book has answered is - 'how does anyone know at the moment of discovery where their work will ...more
7/8/19
I don't always write reviews, and when I do, they tend to be more of reactions than "thoughtful analysis." Furthermore, I don't believe I have ever written any kind of review before finishing a book, unless to say that the book was so awful I couldn't finish it. Well, this isn't quite that. I'm commenting now, with half the book yet to go, because I'm irritated by how long it's taking me to get through the damn thing. It's taking me forever because Ruined by Design is sort of ruined by its ...more
I don't always write reviews, and when I do, they tend to be more of reactions than "thoughtful analysis." Furthermore, I don't believe I have ever written any kind of review before finishing a book, unless to say that the book was so awful I couldn't finish it. Well, this isn't quite that. I'm commenting now, with half the book yet to go, because I'm irritated by how long it's taking me to get through the damn thing. It's taking me forever because Ruined by Design is sort of ruined by its ...more
I’m going to read this book again and again for years to come. It’s an important book. Brilliantly angry and rightfully so. If you work in tech (and not only if you’re a designer) please give this book a good read. I think we all need to learn a thing or two from Mike Monteiro and his amazing book.
This book should be at the top of the curriculum for anyone entering the design field. Mike Monteiro lays out examples of how design has scarred society and is empowering designers to acknowledge and take charge of their responsibility. He puts it perfectly at last when he states: “I’m talking about caring who our work is affecting. I’m talking about caring about who it’s helping and who it’s hurting. I’m talking about who’s making design decisions, and who’s being left out of them. I’m talking
...more
I can’t believe I wasted my time reading this. A few of the examples are valid (data harvesting and dark patterns) but nothing that anyone living in 2019 doesn’t already know. Everyone involved in a product does have some level of responsibly but not nearly the level the author assumes.
The book falls apart with weak arguments (all of which can easily be debunked) and many of the rants just go over the edge. The author is completely out of touch with reality and the level of arrogance is astonis ...more
The book falls apart with weak arguments (all of which can easily be debunked) and many of the rants just go over the edge. The author is completely out of touch with reality and the level of arrogance is astonis ...more
Very opinionated, in a good way. Very pragmatic, in a good way. Reads well and is entertaining, though a bit predictable.
The thing is, in many ways it jumps to the solution without neccessarily giving tools to people how to think through ethic issues. It is *very* good on giving you tools on how to act on ethic issues.
The thing is, in many ways it jumps to the solution without neccessarily giving tools to people how to think through ethic issues. It is *very* good on giving you tools on how to act on ethic issues.
The read we need, and probably the one we deserved years ago, is here.
Cynical. Honest. Direct. What's not to love?
The dialogue for this argument on how every aspect of our daily lives is design - or the 'lack' of - is eye opening.
Designer? Pick this one now. 'Non-designer'? Pick it too.
Monteiro opens the case of the evident repercussions of missed ethics whilst designing the current digital products of today. But there's still a salvation - as long as we start doing something about our mess.
Ha ...more
Cynical. Honest. Direct. What's not to love?
The dialogue for this argument on how every aspect of our daily lives is design - or the 'lack' of - is eye opening.
Designer? Pick this one now. 'Non-designer'? Pick it too.
Monteiro opens the case of the evident repercussions of missed ethics whilst designing the current digital products of today. But there's still a salvation - as long as we start doing something about our mess.
Ha ...more
A must read for anybody working in tech (don't get misled by that Design in the title, it's really about all of us). The book brings back the concept of ethics, which seems to have been long forgotten in the tech scene, and makes a good case for it, highlighting many cases where companies have strayed from the right path. It also gives ideas on what we need to do to start fixing things. The style is also very direct (not a surprise if you know the author) which makes it easy to read and never bo
...more
Absolutely agree with the message, but chafed a little at the author's conversational style. Don't get me wrong, I'm ok with the occasional F-bomb for proper emphasis. However this read more as blog-rant at times.
Good provocative discussion at the end about licensing designers - not sure I agree, but I like the author pushed the boundary on the discussion. ...more
Good provocative discussion at the end about licensing designers - not sure I agree, but I like the author pushed the boundary on the discussion. ...more
I think everyone, background in design or not, should read this book. It's something my mind continues to come back to given I'm grappling with problems spanning the service of design and design services, pervasive and recent technology, business models and values, and systemic societal issues. I would have been super grateful to have read this book back when I was in architecture school a few years ago trying to decide where and how to work and what I believed in. It gets the gears turning, is
...more
It was hard not to compare this to Future Ethics. Where Cennydd Bowles tries to be objective, Mike Monteiro brings a strong opinion and ways to act – I respect the heck out of this book for that.
This is a must read for every designer. If you read it and think 'oh we're not that bad', then you're the problem. ...more
This is a must read for every designer. If you read it and think 'oh we're not that bad', then you're the problem. ...more
A few basics about design ethics and a handful of talking points about licensing for designers near the end. Has a very narrow worldview (Americentric), with next to no backing research. It reads a lot like a rant, but is humdrum instead of fiery.
I like the idea of this book, the driving premise, but not the execution.
I like the idea of this book, the driving premise, but not the execution.
THE MOST TERRIBLE BOOK!
"Humility is just lipstick on a pig called fear." (page 143)
If you decide to read this book, please consider the source...
Mr. Monteiro, I don't know where you get your definition of meek and humility, but it never means backing down and letting people walk on you. Rather, it’s having a quiet but confident trust and being willing and able to do whatever is right from within yourself.
Blatant arrogance won't solve all the problems you wish to solve, sir.
And that's all I have ...more
"Humility is just lipstick on a pig called fear." (page 143)
If you decide to read this book, please consider the source...
Mr. Monteiro, I don't know where you get your definition of meek and humility, but it never means backing down and letting people walk on you. Rather, it’s having a quiet but confident trust and being willing and able to do whatever is right from within yourself.
Blatant arrogance won't solve all the problems you wish to solve, sir.
And that's all I have ...more
Real Design? Read this Book.
My friend glances over and says, “Woah - you said this was a design book, but it’s talking about business, lawyers, and politics? I didn’t know Designers [had this much influence].” I smirked wide and remembered they key to the book is that we are gatekeepers, not mere pixel pushers. We do have such influence through our choices.
I let him know, “I’ve been realistically paid more to tell people to stop building dangerous things and to educate other designers on this, t ...more
My friend glances over and says, “Woah - you said this was a design book, but it’s talking about business, lawyers, and politics? I didn’t know Designers [had this much influence].” I smirked wide and remembered they key to the book is that we are gatekeepers, not mere pixel pushers. We do have such influence through our choices.
I let him know, “I’ve been realistically paid more to tell people to stop building dangerous things and to educate other designers on this, t ...more
An important message wrapped in a signature-Monteiro rant. The book expands on one of his most popular talks in recent years, the key point being; you're responsible for what you put into the world. Watch the talk if you're not into his usual schtick.
...more
Bold. Blunt and a must read for anyone in tech. And if you're a UXD, add reading this book on top of your list.
...more
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“Ethics cannot be a side hustle.”
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“If you believe you need to do what your boss wants because they’re paying you, you also need to believe the doctor should provide the oxycodone if the addict is willing to pay for it. The exchange of cash for services doesn’t supersede ethics. Following unethical orders won’t keep you out of jail.”
—
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