Books › Things That Make Us Smart
Things That Make Us Smart
First published 1993 · 304 pages
A fascinating, accessible exploration of how the tools we build end up shaping the way we think.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like taking a walk with a brilliant, observant mentor who points out the hidden cognitive architecture of the everyday world. The pace is steady and deliberate, allowing you to absorb complex ideas about human-machine interaction without ever feeling bogged down by academic jargon. The prose is conversational, witty, and profoundly accessible, transforming mundane frustrations with technology into profound insights about human cognition. The mood is one of relentless curiosity and intellectual optimism, inviting you to look at your tools, screens, and systems through a completely new lens. It is a deeply satisfying read for anyone who has ever wondered why certain objects feel intuitive while others make us feel foolish, ultimately leaving you with a renewed appreciation for the power of human-centric design.
- Mood
- intellectually stimulating
- curious
- reflective
- Tone
- insightful
- whimsical
- accessible
- earnest
- analytical
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- human-centric design · cognitive extension · the shape of thought · technological influence · man-machine friction
- The writing
- Clear, conversational, and peppered with relatable anecdotes that ground complex cognitive science in everyday reality.
- The arc
- Moves from a curious examination of everyday frustrations to an empowering vision of technology that serves human cognition.
- Who it's for
- Designers, technologists, and curious thinkers who want to understand why the objects around them either frustrate or empower their minds.
About the book
Insightful and whimsical, profoundly intelligent and easily accessible, Don Norman has been exploring the design of our world for decades, exploring this complex relationship between humans and machines. In this seminal work, fully revised and updated, Norman gives us the first steps towards demanding a person-centered redesign of the machines we use every day.
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 memory—the machines we create begin to shape how we think and, at times, even what we value. In THINGS THAT MAKE US SMART, Donald 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.
Description from Open Library.
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