[Sigia-l] Why "design" makes some of us cringe.

[Andrew Hinton]

I suspect the distaste for the idea of a surgeon's designing a surgery (or
procedure) is stemming from the stigma that "design" seems to have clinging
to it like a bad wig.

I have a brief theory about why "design" makes so many cringe:

1) Many of us have encountered designers and design-speak that is so
completely mediocre or irresponsible, it's hard to shake the association.

2) Unfortunately, "design" also often refers to a pattern or decoration,
like something you see on drapes or wallpaper. (I suspect "Flash" suffers
from a similar guilt by association, since "flash" is often a pejorative for
that which is all show and lacking substance.)

My first association with a "designer" was growing up in the 70's when I
heard of "designer jeans." Who would want their surgery planned by Gloria
Vanderbilt?

These associations are hard to shake for many people. But I'm all for
rescuing the word and educating people about what real Design could mean.

(Heck, engineering used to mean running a train to most people!)

I'm not trying to get anybody's blood boiling. Just suggesting our
disagreements might be coming from more than the rational.

-- 
andrew hinton  <http://www.memekitchen.com/>
andrew [at] memekitchen.com