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Ruined by Design

221 pages, 2019

Takeaways
Description
The world is working exactly as designed, and that’s precisely the problem. The combustion engine that’s destroying the planet’s atmosphere is working exactly as designed. Guns, which lead to so much death, are working exactly as designed. Facebook’s harmful privacy settings, which have outed gay teens to their conservative parents, are working exactly as designed. So, too, is Twitter’s toxicity and lack of civil discourse—they work exactly as designed. And this isn’t a coincidence. The lack of civil discourse online can largely be attributed to the products being created by technologists who haven’t even considered what impact their designs will have.
Designers are Responsible

Mike Monteiro emphasizes that designers are not just creators, but they also bear the responsibility for the impact of their designs. He encourages designers to think about the consequences of their work and to make ethical decisions.

Design is Political

In Ruined by Design, Monteiro argues that design is inherently political. Every design decision has the potential to affect people's lives, and designers should be aware of this power and use it responsibly.

The Importance of Ethics in Design

The book explores the crucial role of ethics in design. Monteiro urges designers to take a stand and refuse to work on projects that could harm people or the environment.

The Power of Collective Action

He also highlights the power of collective action. By banding together, designers can push for change in the industry and demand better working conditions and ethical standards.

The Need for Regulation

Lastly, Monteiro suggests that the design industry needs regulation to prevent harmful practices. He encourages designers to advocate for laws and regulations that promote ethical design.

Recommendations

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Daniel Burka

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