English

Design for a Better World by Don Norman

2024-04-12 2 min read Sincheenz

It is hard to write a book that tries to inform people to change, to move away from the convenience of wastage and being environmentally unfriendly. A great attempt, albeit very tiring to read. It’s as if he just got up one day and decided to actually listen to the fuss being made about climate change, waste production, and more. Then it dawned upon him that it is making sense, and he should actually join in and say something about it too. But not for the sake of it. He has done a lot of reading and research and his passionate plea for change resonates throughout the book, urging readers to take responsibility for design choices and to create a more sustainable future.

Consumers today are overwhelmed with choice, and the ‘Keeping up with the Jones’ mantra seems to drive them to buy more and more. Social media videos and photos only spur this on. There are so many sustainable and eco-friendly brands out there, but they will never be able to compete with the variety and prices offered by the use-and-throw culture that has been inculcated in us by the leading names. Hedonism is easy to adopt, especially if one prioritizes short-term happiness. The short spurts of joy one feels purchasing a new gadget, wearing a new dress, or holidaying in a new country, and then receiving likes and admiration for this seems to be the go-to resort for many. This is not a judgment or criticism, but rather an obvious observation. You cannot expect to make informed choices and prioritize environmental sustainability if you want to have the latest of everything and tick off experiencing the most exotic holiday destinations. In my point of view, no one has to justify their choices. However, when you feel the world is heading towards environmental degradation with global warming and excessive waste, and you’re attributing this to industries, capitalist companies, influencers, social media, or other sources, it would be wiser to take a step back and ask yourself if you are sure that you are not playing a major role to contribute to this as well.