Book Reading #52 - Living With Complexity

Chapter 3: How Simple Things Can Complicate Our Mind
Summary:
This chapter talked about how there are so many simple designs in the world that do not have the same function it confuses us. These designs are things such as locks and door knobs. There is not a single universal design so it is hard for us to keep track of what the right way to function these designs are sometimes. To be better organized people put the information on how to use these simple designs in the world. We use visual indicators to help us remember how to use these objects. Another example is passwords and how a lot of people keep their password close to their computer so they can look at it to remember.

Discussion:
I liked this chapter because it talked about things that appear everywhere and have simple designs. It explains how we have to add to the design ourselves to make it so we can remember which way is right. Because there are so many though and no universal way to design these things they create a type of complexity. This was interesting because I think we have all experienced this first hand.

Chapter 4: Social Signifiers
Summary:
This chapter talks about how we use cues in our culture and society for information. Some examples used include salt and peppers shakers and how they differ, people at a train station,  and traffic markings on the road. It discusses how we watch the people  around us to blend in and not do anything different. This is useful because it helps us make sense and live in our complex world.

Discussion: 
This happens everywhere in the world. I like how Norman talks about how we pick up on these cues but sometimes do not even realize it. He also discusses how it may be a cue for something completely wrong which was interesting.