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Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human Attributes in the Age of the Machine (Paperback)

by Donald A. Norman (Author), Tamara Dunaeff (Author) "THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE US SMART ..." (more)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Perseus Books; New edition edition (31 Mar 1994)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0201626950
  • ISBN-13: 978-0201626957
  • Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 444,099 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  • See Complete Table of Contents

Product Description

Product Description

In Things That Make Us Smart, Donald A. Norman explores the complex interaction between human thought and the technology it creates, arguing for the development of machines that fit our minds, rather than minds that must conform to the machine. Humans have always worked with objects to extend our cognitive powers, from counting on our fingers to designing massive supercomputers. But advanced technology does more than merely assist with thought and memorythe machines we create begin to shape how we think and, at times, even what we value. Norman, in exploring this complex relationship between humans and machines, gives us the first steps towards demanding a person-centered redesign of the machines that surround our lives.


From the Author

People propose, science studies, technology conforms
This is my favorite book. So, if you liked "The Psychology of Everyday Things (or the paperback version entitled "The Design of Everyday Things"), or "Turn Signals Are the Facial Expressions of Automobiles," then you should also like this one.

The theme of the book is that tehcnology can indeed enhance human intelligence, but only if it is properly built to fit human abilities and needs. Alas, all too often it isn't. All too often it is people who must conform to the technology. The proper way is, of course, for technology to conform to people.

I review everything from science museums (except for the San Francisco Exploratorium, I have a pretty low opinion of them) to voice-mail answering systems (ugh). With a sense of humour (well, you have to be the judge), and with the aim of providing constructive criticism.

I try to be a fan of technology: too bad the technologists get in the way.

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THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE US SMART. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human Attributes in the Age of the Machine
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Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human Attributes in the Age of the Machine 4.0 out of 5 stars (2)
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but Simplistic, 21 Dec 1998
By A Customer
I have to preface this review by saying that I'm probably a tough audience for this sort of book -- I have a PhD in cognitive psych, and I work as a research scientist with a specialist in interface designs. With that caveat, I have to say that the book was very readable and enjoyable, but I was constantly wondering "Where's the Beef?"

Much of the research he reviewed was rather old, even at the time of publication, and most of the analysis of them elaborated too much, without really being that trenchant. I found myself skipping ahead about halfway through the book when I knew the point of a chapter after a page or two, and didn't find any surprises along the way.

A good "gee-whiz" book for those new to cognitive psych or human factors, but a bit of a let-down for the specialist.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I read, I like, I recommend, 13 Jul 1998
By A Customer
As a student at the University of California, San Diego, the native school of Dr. Donald Norman, I had the good fortune of reading Things That Make Us Smart as a textbook. I can now truthfully say that this has been the ONLY textbook that I enjoyed reading, and in fact, looked forward to reading. Norman is a witty and clever writer - he uses humor so subtly that it feels as if someone is tickling you throughout the book, and though you don't burst out laughing, you have a really good time. Through his humor, Norman conveys a very important message about technology and human interaction with it - with outstanding examples to which anyone can relate, he clearly explains how we have shaped and can shape our environments to, in fact, make us smart.
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