Yes, that struck me too. Some developers do randomized trials of user experience, but such trials aren't tests of development techniques - unless perhaps you ar

Yes, that struck me too. Some developers do randomized trials of user experience, but such trials aren't tests of development techniques - unless perhaps you are working on an IDE. And yet I think the points about negative evidence are relevant to software. Whenever a hot new trend surfaces, it seems like negative early experiences aren't reported. Later on there is usually a backlash, but it would be in our interest to shorten that cycle.