Download The Man Who Lied to his Laptop: What Machines Teach Us About Human Relationships AudioBook Free
Startling insights into persuasion, trust, empathy, and teamwork, centered on how we treat our computer systems.... The drivers was insistent: "A woman shouldn't be giving guidelines." Despite the customer-service rep's reassurance that the navigation system in his car wasn't actually a female - only a computer with a female tone - the drivers (and many more like him) refused to listen. There was only one person for BMW to demand help: Clifford Nass, one of the world's leading experts on how people interact with technology. After two decades of learning problems like BMW's GPS system, Microsoft's Clippy (the most hated animated figure ever), and online evaluations that led people to lie with their laptops, Nass is rolling out a robust theory: Our brains can't fundamentally separate between interacting with people and interacting with devices. We will "protect" a computer's feelings, feel flattered by the brown-nosing piece of software, and even do mementos for technology that is "nice" to us. All without even knowing it. Nass has discovered that the most powerful strategies for dealing with people can be learned from viewing what succeeds and fails in technology interfaces. When a computer can make friends, build groups, and quiet powerful thoughts, so can any of us. Nass's studies show you:
- Mixing criticism with reward - a favorite tactic for professionals - is a damaging method of evaluation.
- Opposites don't get - except when one steadily changes to be more like the other.
- Flattery works - even though the recipient knows it's flattery.
- Team-building exercises don't build groups - however the right T-shirt can.
- Misery loves company - but only if the business is unpleasant, too.
