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"Deceptive patterns" is now the preferred term for what used to be called "dark patterns" It's both more descriptive and avoids equating "dark" to "bad". I've
by eli 3y ago
"Deceptive patterns" is now the preferred term for what used to be called "dark patterns"
It's both more descriptive and avoids equating "dark" to "bad". I've also heard "hostile patterns" as an umbrella term that covers deceptive patterns as well as careless UX problems like a design that isn't accessible.
- Damogran6 3y agoSo...I get the reasoning, but yet another in a large string of things where I wouldn't have conflated something with race....until you brought it up, and now I do...I don't know if I should feel guilty at the inherent privilege or if people are just taking it to an extreme, or if it's just language being language.
- mikestew 3y agoI hesitate to drift this far off-topic, but I feel it important to point out that within my lifetime (as one approaching retirement age) the word "dark" was the root of a word to describe black people in the U. S., and it wasn't complimentary. Hell, go look up the lyrics for "Old Kentucky Home" that gets sung every year at the Kentucky Derby (though I'm confident the lyrics have changed; or maybe not). That said, I don't make the association, either. But I'm willing to make the change, if not for basic politeness, then to use words that are more descriptive.
- dqft 3y agoNo need, just call them low IQ patterns and no one would be confused.
- eli 3y agoI don't think you or OP or anyone else here is trying to offend. Nor do I think most people hearing the term would find it offensive. But like I said: the alternative is both more descriptive and avoids the issue. This feels like an easy one.
- catiopatio 3y agoIt’s not more descriptive, and it created the issue. The patterns aren’t just deceptive — they’re underhanded, scheming, unscrupulous, perfidious … in other words, dark. None of which has a whit to do with race.
- eli 3y agoI don't follow your point. "Dark" is obviously a much broader word that can mean many different things. It is less precise than "deceptive" and here it's being used metaphorically while "deceptive" is straightforward and literal (albeit less poetic). Surely you would agree that someone encountering the term out of context would have a much harder time guessing what "dark patterns" means versus "deceptive patterns"?
- _gabe_ 3y ago> But like I said: the alternative is both more descriptive and avoids the issue What issue? Dark is used in the sense that the tactics are hidden. As in, you can't see stuff in the dark. The real issue here is people automatically conflating every usage of the words dark or black with race. Not everybody sees the world through the lens of race. In fact, you'll find the light vs the dark theme was used in cultures all over the world, not stemming from racism but from the fact that you conceal evil deeds in the night when it's dark outside[0]. [0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-and-white_dualism https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-and-white_dualism
- azangru 3y ago> "Deceptive patterns" is now the preferred term Preferred by whom though? The authors of the article preferred "dark patterns" — probably as something more commonly used in their circles.
- madeofpalk 3y agoDark patterns is still a euphemism used to soften the blow of straight up deceptive and manipulative interfaces.
- eli 3y agoThe IETF for one https://github.com/ietf/terminology/pull/9 https://github.com/ietf/terminology/pull/9 My intent wasn't to appeal to authority though. I think Deceptive Patterns is just plain better. A term being popular doesn't prove it is precise or inoffensive.
- dclowd9901 3y agoI always took “dark” in this context to mean “subterfuge”, like they were trying to sneak something past you (like “going dark”). “Deceptive” does seem more descriptive, if not exactly poetic.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- npteljes 3y ago[dead]