I don't like
For as long as I can remember I’ve consistently heard various permutations of two phrases, “I like” and “I don’t like.” Throw away, easy phrases. I’ve never valued the first and I’ve had nothing but contempt for the second.
My professor in college would dock our grades when someone uttered one of these phrases. He believed they were lame and comfortable. If that’s all you’ve got to say, you didn’t really have anything to say.
I realize I’m still very young but these phrases seem to get older and older each time I hear them. Design is agonizing. It’s a complex battle of process that consists of manipulation and experimentation, success and failure. These phrases equate to flipping a coin with little value and do nothing but distract by casting a false sense of success or failure.
If all you have is “I like” or “I don’t like,” then you haven’t looked hard enough. You haven’t taken the time to objectively understand what you’re seeing or experiencing. Then, and only then, will you be able to articulate what you are feeling or what you are not feeling.
Related tags: criticism, design, like
Remarks
Jeff Croft http://www.jeffcroft.com/
+1, as they say.
D. Keith Robinson
Very true. I find that when I use “I like” or “I don’t like” it’s because I simply don’t care that much. I guess that’s why people don’t look hard enough.
Anyway, I know what you mean. I used to hear this stuff from my clients all the time, now I specifically tell them not to do it. They don’t always listen, but usually if I ask for very specific feedback and tell them that if all they’ve got is “I like” or “I don’t like” then to just leave it out. You can’t always make them care but at least you can direct them to feedback that’s actually helpful.
Nathan Borror http://www.playgroundblues.com/
A lot of people believe likeness bequeaths success. It’s very dangerous to prefer form over function and purpose.
Alvin Woon
I also call them the ‘patronizing feedback’. The lesser evil of these words, but equally lame, are ‘good’ and ‘bad’. :)
Frank Chimero http://www.frankchimero.com
“You no like.” -Cedomir I think these words still run through my head and make me cringe every time I hear them. I think outlawing likes and dislikes forces one thing: for you to be constructive with your comments. And that’s what feedback, at its essence, is about, right?
Nathan Borror http://www.playgroundblues.com/
I miss those days.
Kurt Sinclair
Never really thought about it that objectively, but I definately agree. They are extremely throw away comments.
I guess I shouldv’e thought about it before now because, when asked, I always ‘like’ what my wife’s wearing when I’m watching the football.
Shnalla
I like….
I totaly agree with you; every thing around us need a bit of attention and practice before saying “i don’t like”.
Ask yourself why?
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