Sacred Rumblings: Musings on Life, Technology, and Compassion

The main purpose of this blog is to discuss how we can use greater personal awareness in integrating art and technology into building a world that is more compassionate and inclusive of all human beings. The author believes that it is in our best interests to celebrate the ways that we are connected to each other, instead of perpetuating ideas that create separation and mistrust between people. When responding to comments, please remember to be nice and respectful.

Improving Artistic Expression via FaceBook

Many of us use social media as a way to interact with friends and to share bits of meaningful information. FaceBook is a great way to bounce ideas off of people, and to also get good suggestions on how to improve projects.

FaceBook and UX

In a sense, Facebook dynamics lend themselves to seeking input on good user experience design. This practice can blur ethics a bit if overused, as most people don’t hang with friends on FaceBook to be marketing subjects; yet, I’ve found that as long as requests are not too frequent, and adequate thanks given, that people are willing to give feedback. It  often helps me to see the bigger picture in designing my current project.

The Human Remote Control

A friend of mine recently posted a saying to FaceBook stating, “If I were meant to be controlled, I would come with a remote.” At first glance I laughed along with it and then the analytical brain kicked in and wanted to create a bigger picture behind the quote.

The Brain’s Robotic Tendencies

 

I hate to break this to you, but humans do come with a built-in remote control. It is called cognitive and social biases. These biases cause humans to make connections to things that really may have no relation to each other and to frame what goes on in life to support what we want to see as our reality. Once one understands how these biases work, human behavior becomes quite predictable.

Creating Web Content for the Disabled: A Call to Compassionate Action

Web Accessibility for the Disabled

As we all know, optimal web design requires accommodating sites for those with disabilities. Guidelines exist under the Americans With Disabilities Act to enhance the disabled ability to access web content.

Writing Beyond Profit

Photo Credit: Sybren Stüvel
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According to the CDC, millions of people are considered functionally disabled in the United States.  See the statistics. Over the course of my studies in web technology, design experts frequently encouraged making websites more accessible for the disabled. The motivating factor, however, usually centered on  the bottom line–you reach more people; you sell more products. You make more money.

The authors of respected publications emphasize that collectively, the disabled have millions of dollars to spend. Thus, in viable business models, it make good sense to target all consumers with disposable incomes. Experts offer the motivational carrot of increased profits to encourage making web content more accessible to the disabled. Yet, there exists a greater reason for paying attention to accessibility issues than just gleaning more money from this segment of the population.

Advertising and Writing for the Web: A Matter of Respect

Ads and the Consumer Culture

Photo Credit Don Hankins
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If we watch television, or participate in social media, or engage in any of the various forms of mainstream media, we are exposed to ads and social manipulation. We are told that  we will be happier if we consume said product or idea. The advertising culture has created a type of bombardment, throwing ads in people’s faces as an exchange or cost for consuming desired content. The sheer volume often leaves people ignoring the ads and in a sense numbs them to the real messages that are being communicated.

Cognitive Biases, Websites, and Language

Our brains have their favored ways of perceiving life. Our perceptions are often inaccurate. These skewed perceptions are called cognitive and social biases. We all fall prey to their pervasive influences. I have always wondered just how much our cognitive patterns effect how we consume a website.

Brain Preferences

The human brain likes things to be predictable and comfortable. This cognitive bias is a main reason why humans tend to approach things in life the same way over and over again.

Our brains also predispose us to be creatures of habit. As such, I suggest that these patterns can also apply to how we approach websites. When we encounter patterns that are familiar to us, our brains can more easily make sense of them.

A Librarian’s Take on Good Web Design

“How may I help you?” It was a phrase I reiterated numerous times throughout the course of a day. As a librarian, I listened to the patron’s request and tried to decipher what the patron desired.

Sometimes the patrons needed a little help. “Are you sure that the recipe you want is for something called ‘wedgies.’ I think that they are called ‘pootato’ I mean ‘potato wedges.’” Cough and slight smile. Once I clarified with the patron what he or she wanted, then it was easier to provide the desired information.

The People Factor in Good Web Design

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to good web design. Do websites always need to shine like a new Ferrari in full sun on a French mountaintop to be useful? No. Sometimes, especially if one knows what they want, Ma and Pa Kettle’s no frills, country discount site does just fine.