Was this a communist viewpoint?
Discussion
In design and technology yesterday we were given an exam question which went along the lines of 'How important is design in relation to its success as a product?'. Everyone said that the better designed a product was the more successful it would be, and things like lampposts have to fit into thew surrounding area etc.
I said that in some cases design won't affect a products success, such as parking meters. Everyone has to use a parking meter if they want to park whether it is well designed well and aesthetically pleasing or not. To which my teacher said "no, thats not right, and thats a very communist viewpoint'.
I don't see what was wrong with my answer, so can someone enlighten me as to why he said it was wrong and a 'communist viewpoint'?
>> Edited by m1spw on Friday 14th October 22:01
I said that in some cases design won't affect a products success, such as parking meters. Everyone has to use a parking meter if they want to park whether it is well designed well and aesthetically pleasing or not. To which my teacher said "no, thats not right, and thats a very communist viewpoint'.
I don't see what was wrong with my answer, so can someone enlighten me as to why he said it was wrong and a 'communist viewpoint'?
>> Edited by m1spw on Friday 14th October 22:01
dazren said:
Think about it. The class is in "design and technology". You've just said design doesn't matter. Most academics don't like being told their years of studying have been a waste of time.
DAZ
Hmm....you may have a point there Daz. Still, if someone comes up with a valid point then the least you could do is accept it, even if it does contradict what you have devoted your life to
As for the rest of you, your comments have been...................interesting.....
2 Smokin Barrels said:
You're all assuming that a communist viewpoint is a negative comment.
the assumption is that the tutor is an idiot.
they said some stupid and were pulled up immediately by the comment about a parking meter. same goes for a tap. it turns on it turns off. thats not communism - it an expectation water will come out when you turn the knob.
i suspect the communism jibe is from a person who is trying to find a clever put down.
if a parking meter was designed to look like a naked lady with the coin slot.... you would definately find joy and amusement in depositing your fee, so in that instance design has played a perfect part. We like shiny things, for instance you ever been shopping for taps lately? Theres a myriad of designs out there, they all do the same thing, but execute the function and apperance in different ways. Communist? more like Functionalist.
skinnyboy said:
if a parking meter was designed to look like a naked lady with the coin slot.... you would definately find joy and amusement in depositing your fee, so in that instance design has played a perfect part. We like shiny things, for instance you ever been shopping for taps lately? Theres a myriad of designs out there, they all do the same thing, but execute the function and apperance in different ways. Communist? more like Functionalist.
the parking meter isn't there for joy and entertainment - its there to extract money out of you. you don't have a choice whether to pay the meter or not, you have to pay it whether you like it or not.
same with a tap. the enjoyment isn't in pouring the water or how the water pours but in what the water gives you.
i'm drunk. you are not allowed to quote me
[quote]
the parking meter isn't there for joy and entertainment - its there to extract money out of you. you don't have a choice whether to pay the meter or not, you have to pay it whether you like it or not.
same with a tap. the enjoyment isn't in pouring the water or how the water pours but in what the water gives you.
i'm drunk. you are not allowed to quote me[/quote]
Au contraire mate, the function of money extraction is offset by the amount of joy provided by the device. Imagine if all the parking meters where like a $2 ride, you put your $2 in, get a quick ride on the plastic horse/postman pat car/cartoon character and then off you go, parking paid, and a little bit of enjoyment to boot. Thats teh problem, although we have to pay for parking, the person who designs a pleasurable parking meter will be rich i tells ya!!!
the parking meter isn't there for joy and entertainment - its there to extract money out of you. you don't have a choice whether to pay the meter or not, you have to pay it whether you like it or not.
same with a tap. the enjoyment isn't in pouring the water or how the water pours but in what the water gives you.
i'm drunk. you are not allowed to quote me
[/quote] Au contraire mate, the function of money extraction is offset by the amount of joy provided by the device. Imagine if all the parking meters where like a $2 ride, you put your $2 in, get a quick ride on the plastic horse/postman pat car/cartoon character and then off you go, parking paid, and a little bit of enjoyment to boot. Thats teh problem, although we have to pay for parking, the person who designs a pleasurable parking meter will be rich i tells ya!!!
The teacher is a design lecturer, as such he will have one viewpoint. In the real world, it's a statistical fact that a poor product well marketed will always outsell a good product poorly marketed. Marketing is more important than design 90% of the time. Marketing is a capitalist characteristic, not a communist one.
And before anyone mentions it, a good product well marketed will outsell anything.
And before anyone mentions it, a good product well marketed will outsell anything.
2 Smokin Barrels said:
The llama is a quadruped.
La Llama es a Quadrup-ador!......
Is this tonights thread on a big reel with a hook on the end?.........
Only one thing to say......"compare the attitude of the commies with the attitude of the capitalstas.........Not much bloody difference is there?"....
The workers still have no rights and are treated like slaves.....Bookends on the same bloody shelf!
je'sa es toda la gente!..
pesty said:
perhaps next time you should go in dressed as Che guevara and hand him a copy of teh communist manifesto
"For the £1000 question Che' When?...When did Coventry City last win the F.A. cup?"............Have to hurry you Che'?..........................I'm sorry, Coventry City have NEVER* won the F.A. cup!".....
(this answer of course is now incorrect and Coventry city have now - won the FA cup)
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