3 ms·

I like the dichotomy, but for me the names "subjective safety" and "objective safety" make no sense. "Obvious dangers" vs "non-obvious dangers" seems like much

I like the dichotomy, but for me the names "subjective safety" and "objective safety" make no sense. "Obvious dangers" vs "non-obvious dangers" seems like much clearer language, even if it's the case that there's a way to squint to make the terminology you used make sense. Kids will naturally explore the boundaries around obvious dangers.

Swizec 7y ago
I think subjective/objective makes more sense than obvious and not. Subjective danger is things that feel dangerous but aren’t. Objective danger is things that don’t feel dangerous but are. For example: a rollercoaster is subjectively dangerous but objectively safe. That’s its whole design objective, feeling dangerous while being totally safe.
- solipsism 7y ago
  Subjective danger is things that feel dangerous but aren’t. That's not what the word "subjective" means. Language is malleable and all that, but "subjective" doesn't mean "feels like but isn't". Not even close. Objective danger is things that don’t feel dangerous but are. And wow, that's really not what "objective" means.
  - luhn 7y ago
    Subjective (adj) 1) Dependent on or taking place in a person's mind rather than the external world. 2) Based on a given person's experience, understanding, and feelings; personal or individual. #1 is exactly “feels dangerous but isn’t”. #2 also works because it fits into magicalhippo’s narrative about kids falling and adjusting their safety boundaries. I won’t bother about “objective danger” because you didn’t either.
  - iovrthoughtthis 7y ago
    Surely your qualm is with the “but isn’t” right? “It feels dangerous” is certainly subjective. I think you’re not breaking things down sufficiently. Subjective is how things feel, regardless of how they are. Objective is how things are, regardless of how they feel. Should probably replace feel with “are perceived” but feel is more contextual here.
okusername 7y ago
I think it's literally about dangers coming from the objects vs the dangers that are coming from the subjects behaviours. You want to to eliminate unnecessary dangers introduced by the objects, and those are fully under the designers control. It's not reasonable or possible to try fully control the subjects to eliminate all risk.

Swizec 7y ago

I think subjective/objective makes more sense than obvious and not. Subjective danger is things that feel dangerous but aren’t. Objective danger is things that don’t feel dangerous but are. For example: a rollercoaster is subjectively dangerous but objectively safe. That’s its whole design objective, feeling dangerous while being totally safe.

solipsism 7y ago
Subjective danger is things that feel dangerous but aren’t. That's not what the word "subjective" means. Language is malleable and all that, but "subjective" doesn't mean "feels like but isn't". Not even close. Objective danger is things that don’t feel dangerous but are. And wow, that's really not what "objective" means.
- luhn 7y ago
  Subjective (adj) 1) Dependent on or taking place in a person's mind rather than the external world. 2) Based on a given person's experience, understanding, and feelings; personal or individual. #1 is exactly “feels dangerous but isn’t”. #2 also works because it fits into magicalhippo’s narrative about kids falling and adjusting their safety boundaries. I won’t bother about “objective danger” because you didn’t either.
- iovrthoughtthis 7y ago
  Surely your qualm is with the “but isn’t” right? “It feels dangerous” is certainly subjective. I think you’re not breaking things down sufficiently. Subjective is how things feel, regardless of how they are. Objective is how things are, regardless of how they feel. Should probably replace feel with “are perceived” but feel is more contextual here.

okusername 7y ago

I think it's literally about dangers coming from the objects vs the dangers that are coming from the subjects behaviours. You want to to eliminate unnecessary dangers introduced by the objects, and those are fully under the designers control. It's not reasonable or possible to try fully control the subjects to eliminate all risk.