Understanding Understanding

This article uses a familiar and amusing phenomenon–the mortality of red-shirted crew members on the original Star Trek series–to make some important points about data analysis and presentation.

When marketing innovative products, this article explains, comparing the product to something familiar helps consumers understand its value and potential. (Think “horseless carriage.”)

Excellent article citing psychologoical studies and real-life experience to show why “Attractive things work better,” and therefore why design is crucial.

Article says guilt about “hedonism” passes quickly; remorse about missing out lasts a long time.

People go along with the crowd when feeling fear but seek to stand out when feeling lust. The article addresses the study’s ramifications for advertising, but it’s interesting all by itself.