The Ethics of Everyday Things
Conversations about ethics and design often fall victim to two problems. The first is the hand-waving problem. People talk about ethics in such a vague and aspirational ways that us practitioners have no path to changing the way we work. What use is design ethics if I can’t use it to affect my everyday decision-making? The second is the “save the world” problem. The only worthwhile problems are those that have obviously good outcomes, such as improving health or education, reducing poverty or gender inequality. But there just aren’t enough of these kind of jobs to go around. What use is ethics if I can’t access the work required to put it into practice? Designers are well familiar with using toolkits (patterns, heuristics, and so on). These are clear, actionable and flexible tools that help inform decision-making as we do our work. Why can’t it be the same for ethics? We need to create tools that help designers exercise moral judgement in their day-to-day work (especially for those who don’t particularly care about ethics). I believe that it’s possible to frame design ethics in a way that’s both actionable AND accessible, and that will allow all kinds of designers to bring ethical conversations and judgements into the work of everyday design.
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The Ethics of Everyday Things
- 2. @
- 5. @
- 6. @ Make the world better
- 7. @ We have the tools
- 8. @ Our products are more pervasive
- 11. @
- 12. @ We’re missing what’s right
- 14. @Jeff Veen via Future Ethics
- 15. @ Technology is not neutral
- 16. @ Bait and switch Confirshaming Disguised adsForced con6nuity Friend spam Hidden costs Price comparison preven6on Roach motel Sneak into basket darkpa6erns.org
- 17. @ Ethics as what
- 18. @ Ethics as how
- 19. @ An ethical lens for design
- 20. @ Most problems are not what problems
- 21. @ We have ethics in our practice
- 22. @ It’s hidden in pockets
- 24. @ We are makers
- 26. @ Capacity for self-regulation & control Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 27. @ Better versions of ourselves Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 28. @ Positive physical & emotional states Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 29. @ Meaningful relationships Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 30. @ Increase social fairness Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 32. @ Honesty, humanity, trust Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 33. @ Impact on the world Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 34. @ P2P lending
- 37. @ Avoid financial stress Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 38. @ Meaningful connections Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 39. @ Equal opportunity for success Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 40. @ Different money lending practices Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 41. @ Fair & clear agreements Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 43. @ Travel service
- 45. @ Step beyond the familiar Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 46. @ Respond to difficult situations Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 47. @ Connect with travel party & others Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 48. @ Travellers with different capabilities Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 49. @ Provide cultural context Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 50. @ Lived reality of travel Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 51. @ Offer low-impact options Autonomy Growth Wellbeing Connection Equity Values Respect Sustainability
- 52. @ Not user or business needs
- 54. @ Part of the conversation
- 55. @ Nobody’s going to buy this
- 57. @ No commitment
- 58. @ Adapt & change
- 60. @ Unifies themes
- 61. @ Shareable
- 63. @ Thanks!