Ruined by Design: How Designers Destroyed the World, and What We Can Do to Fix It

by Mike Monteiro

There’s a concept called an Overton window, which describes what we’re willing to discuss or tolerate over time—or as the window opens or closes. What was once unthinkable (window closed) such as putting children in cages or constant surveillance or a president breaking with standards of decorum, slowly becomes policy (window open) as we get used to new behavior. Now, this isn’t always a negative. Overton’s window can also be applied to things such as gay marriage, black presidents, and legal weed, all of which were once unthinkable, even in my lifetime, and have come to pass. (Though some vigilance is still required if we want to keep those windows open.) It does mean that when an idea is introduced into the public sphere, as outrageous as it may seem at the time, unless someone is willing to shut that window hard, it’s on its way to acceptance.