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I stopped reading when the author said "there is no such thing as ergonomics". I feel like I've seen plenty of research otherwise. It's probably (definitely) o

I stopped reading when the author said "there is no such thing as ergonomics". I feel like I've seen plenty of research otherwise. It's probably (definitely) overplayed to make sales, but there's no need to deny it's existence

bazeblackwood 5y ago
You're absolutely right. The author should tell that to my carpal tunnel.
crazygringo 5y ago
It's complicated. On the one hand, there are extremely valid aspects to ergonomics, with regards to seat height, table height, monitor height, wrist angle, etc. That can make all the difference for things like carpal tunnel, shoulder tension, headaches, etc. On the other hand, the amount of nonsense peddled around ideas such as lumbar support, supposedly ergonomic keyboards, and the like is astronomical. And many supposedly "ergonomic" chairs are actually precisely the opposite, and terrible for your body. In fact, chairs are almost certainly the #1 worst offenders. So the reality is that ergonomics around measurements and angles of your body, and the tasks you perform, is real and valuable. On the other hand, ergonomics as marketing and product attributes is almost entirely hogwash. I do sympathize with people who have come to the conclusion that ergonomics is useless -- or worse than useless -- because all they've ever encountered is the useless marketing side. I mean, so few people have ever actually had a real ergonomics expert analyze their workstation and correct their setup, that it's pretty understandable to think they don't exist. (Also, many corporate so-called ergonomic "experts" aren't at all, and just pretend to validate the ergonomic "products" -- so even if you want a true ergonomic consultation, it's going to be a true challenge to even find someone who's actually qualified.)
- approxim8ion 5y ago
  I think this is more of a general statement on marketing, is it not? A lot of the buzzwords people throw around do mean something, it's just that the context is ripped out of them to sell all kinds of nonsense products.
  - crazygringo 5y ago
    No, most marketing is still based on actual facts. "50% thinner" or "increased battery life" or "ripstop nylon" all refer to actual tangible benefits that are measurable and objective. They might be benefits you don't need, or apply only under ideal conditions, but they're still objective. "Ergonomic" as applied to products refers to no measurable benefit at all. It's even worse than "green", which at least can be presumably translated into some measurable change in recycling, carbon, etc. "Ergonomic" has literally no objective quantity or quality it can be translated into whatsoever as a product attribute.

bazeblackwood 5y ago

You're absolutely right. The author should tell that to my carpal tunnel.

crazygringo 5y ago

It's complicated. On the one hand, there are extremely valid aspects to ergonomics, with regards to seat height, table height, monitor height, wrist angle, etc. That can make all the difference for things like carpal tunnel, shoulder tension, headaches, etc. On the other hand, the amount of nonsense peddled around ideas such as lumbar support, supposedly ergonomic keyboards, and the like is astronomical. And many supposedly "ergonomic" chairs are actually precisely the opposite, and terrible for your body. In fact, chairs are almost certainly the #1 worst offenders. So the reality is that ergonomics around measurements and angles of your body, and the tasks you perform, is real and valuable. On the other hand, ergonomics as marketing and product attributes is almost entirely hogwash. I do sympathize with people who have come to the conclusion that ergonomics is useless -- or worse than useless -- because all they've ever encountered is the useless marketing side. I mean, so few people have ever actually had a real ergonomics expert analyze their workstation and correct their setup, that it's pretty understandable to think they don't exist. (Also, many corporate so-called ergonomic "experts" aren't at all, and just pretend to validate the ergonomic "products" -- so even if you want a true ergonomic consultation, it's going to be a true challenge to even find someone who's actually qualified.)

approxim8ion 5y ago
I think this is more of a general statement on marketing, is it not? A lot of the buzzwords people throw around do mean something, it's just that the context is ripped out of them to sell all kinds of nonsense products.
- crazygringo 5y ago
  No, most marketing is still based on actual facts. "50% thinner" or "increased battery life" or "ripstop nylon" all refer to actual tangible benefits that are measurable and objective. They might be benefits you don't need, or apply only under ideal conditions, but they're still objective. "Ergonomic" as applied to products refers to no measurable benefit at all. It's even worse than "green", which at least can be presumably translated into some measurable change in recycling, carbon, etc. "Ergonomic" has literally no objective quantity or quality it can be translated into whatsoever as a product attribute.