While I appreciate the overall critique, the author is really misrepresenting what HCD is by referring to it out of context, far beyond what is was originally m

While I appreciate the overall critique, the author is really misrepresenting what HCD is by referring to it out of context, far beyond what is was originally meant for by its originator, Alan Cooper. As a thought experiment, try replacing 'HCD' with 'computers' in the article, and there is really no difference in how it reads. What this means is that HCD is a tool, and can be used for any purpose, good or bad, by those that wield the power. And by that phrase, I certainly am not referring to the designers, but those who have the capital and call the shots. To look at it another way, I think the recent Boeing fiasco is a relevant case. It wasn't the engineers who designed the system that were to blame, it was management who corrupted the process towards their own ends. Ethics and the profit motive are difficult to balance, and that goes way beyond a designer's methodology.