Ted Talk for Usability Experts : The Paradox of Choice

In this Ted Talk, Barry Schwartz unpacks the prevailing wisdom that more choice means more freedom, and is therefore preferable. There is a mind-boggling number and array of consumer products available in retail outlets today, a dizzying array of telecommunications devices with a huge range of features. Outside the purchase of movable, the same array of choice exists. The consumer has choices in terms of healthcare, education, medication. The unprecedented amount of choice in the modern era has promoted a degree of existential angst. Schwartz posits that too much choice makes people makes people miserable, and claims that the solution to the problem might be to provide fewer choices to the consumer. Watch and decide if you think less is more.

 

 

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Jessica is the Lead Author & Editor of UsabilityLab Blog. Jessica writes for the UsabilityLab blog to create a source for news and discussion about some of the issues, challenges, news, and ideas relating to usability.