Comments on: A response to “The Extreme Google Brain” http://jboxer.com/2009/04/a-response-to-the-extreme-google-brain/ I change the directions of small pieces of metal for a living. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:16:17 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jake Boxer http://jboxer.com/2009/04/a-response-to-the-extreme-google-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Jake Boxer Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:05:05 +0000 http://jboxer.com/?p=167#comment-25 Great points Peter. I'll be completely honest: I sympathize with a lot of these feelings from designers. Design is much more subjective than engineering (you can show that a piece of engineering simply doesn't work or isn't fast enough, but you can only show groups of people who like/dislike a design), so I understand the arguments against extensive A/B testing (and similar requirements), and I think many of them are extremely compelling. Like I said before, this guy's arguments aren't. He's just made up a bunch of facts, made a lot of unprovable claims (maybe he just hates trying to prove things in general), and sprinkled in a bunch of insults for good measure. Great points Peter. I’ll be completely honest: I sympathize with a lot of these feelings from designers.

Design is much more subjective than engineering (you can show that a piece of engineering simply doesn’t work or isn’t fast enough, but you can only show groups of people who like/dislike a design), so I understand the arguments against extensive A/B testing (and similar requirements), and I think many of them are extremely compelling.

Like I said before, this guy’s arguments aren’t. He’s just made up a bunch of facts, made a lot of unprovable claims (maybe he just hates trying to prove things in general), and sprinkled in a bunch of insults for good measure.

]]> By: Peter http://jboxer.com/2009/04/a-response-to-the-extreme-google-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Peter Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:39:18 +0000 http://jboxer.com/?p=167#comment-24 One of the key principles of modern industrial design is "form follows function" and Google's design by data seems to be inline with this method of thinking if not an extreme example of it. This is taken as an affront by many designers who know the power of perception however it's often these same designers who don't fully understand the value of solid engineering and some of whom seem to think sufficient ornamental adornments, style, and image will overcome all short comings in design and innovation (i.e. turd polishing). This is the mentality that lead to General Motor's demise and I wonder if it's something Google is consciously trying to avoid. I think what's got these designers so pissed off is that Google wants them to prove their worth like everyone else in the company and that's not something designers, artists, normally have to do. However I think we can all agree that design is manipulation of perception to evoke an emotional response. Perhaps Google's "anti-design" and the burden of proof it puts on it's designers is an attempt at honesty in design, after all their mantra is "Don't be evil." One of the key principles of modern industrial design is “form follows function” and Google’s design by data seems to be inline with this method of thinking if not an extreme example of it. This is taken as an affront by many designers who know the power of perception however it’s often these same designers who don’t fully understand the value of solid engineering and some of whom seem to think sufficient ornamental adornments, style, and image will overcome all short comings in design and innovation (i.e. turd polishing). This is the mentality that lead to General Motor’s demise and I wonder if it’s something Google is consciously trying to avoid.

I think what’s got these designers so pissed off is that Google wants them to prove their worth like everyone else in the company and that’s not something designers, artists, normally have to do. However I think we can all agree that design is manipulation of perception to evoke an emotional response. Perhaps Google’s “anti-design” and the burden of proof it puts on it’s designers is an attempt at honesty in design, after all their mantra is “Don’t be evil.”

]]> By: anon http://jboxer.com/2009/04/a-response-to-the-extreme-google-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-23 anon Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:46:45 +0000 http://jboxer.com/?p=167#comment-23 Thanks, good post. I'm not a Googler, but I feel the Google-bashing trend encourages the sort of autism Google is accused of. Thanks, good post. I’m not a Googler, but I feel the Google-bashing trend encourages the sort of autism Google is accused of.

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