3 ms·

Developers who have been asked to implement a UX dark pattern like this one (or Yelp’s decision to forcibly open the App Store without warning in https://news.y

Developers who have been asked to implement a UX dark pattern like this one (or Yelp’s decision to forcibly open the App Store without warning in https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20625852 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20625852), did you implement it? Why or why not? I can’t imagine a case where I would be skilled enough to obtain employment at Yelp, and thus at other companies too, and yet would agree to implement something particularly slimy instead of quitting. Obviously some people make different decisions, though. If you worked at a well-known company when they implemented an intentionally deceptive darkpattern, perhaps others can learn from your experience.

nrmitchi 7y ago
While I haven't implemented anything like this, and have pushed back when I've seen dark patterns like this before, it's not hard to imagine a situation where someone would feel like they have to. It's a fairly privileged position to be able to just up and quit. Even in the bay area where you can in theory get another job fairly quickly, not everyone has enough savings to bridge a gap, and health insurance I'm sure could play a part. Not even mentioning what I'm sure is the most common reason of all: predatory visa statuses that are tied to an employer. Ie, you quit, you have to leave the country "immediately". Edit to add: Perhaps this is just another reason why having high skilled visas and work statuses tied to a specific employer is not the right answer.
- mikeash 7y ago
  It’s also not hard to imagine a situation where developers happily implement it. Developers can get invested in their employer and rationalize their decisions just like anyone else. Management will provide plenty of help in doing so. I’m sure there are some who say, “this sucks but I can’t afford to say no.” But I bet there are a lot more who say, “cool, this will help us make money.” Developers aren’t uniquely virtuous.
matz1 7y ago
Everyone has different value, I happily design and implement "dark" pattern if needed, to me its just pattern.

nrmitchi 7y ago

While I haven't implemented anything like this, and have pushed back when I've seen dark patterns like this before, it's not hard to imagine a situation where someone would feel like they have to. It's a fairly privileged position to be able to just up and quit. Even in the bay area where you can in theory get another job fairly quickly, not everyone has enough savings to bridge a gap, and health insurance I'm sure could play a part. Not even mentioning what I'm sure is the most common reason of all: predatory visa statuses that are tied to an employer. Ie, you quit, you have to leave the country "immediately". Edit to add: Perhaps this is just another reason why having high skilled visas and work statuses tied to a specific employer is not the right answer.

mikeash 7y ago
It’s also not hard to imagine a situation where developers happily implement it. Developers can get invested in their employer and rationalize their decisions just like anyone else. Management will provide plenty of help in doing so. I’m sure there are some who say, “this sucks but I can’t afford to say no.” But I bet there are a lot more who say, “cool, this will help us make money.” Developers aren’t uniquely virtuous.

matz1 7y ago

Everyone has different value, I happily design and implement "dark" pattern if needed, to me its just pattern.