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'User' only seems depersonalizing because of familiarity. Use 'customer' as habitually, and it too will eventually seem generic. And then, expect posts about ho
by gojomo 14y ago
'User' only seems depersonalizing because of familiarity. Use 'customer' as habitually, and it too will eventually seem generic. And then, expect posts about how 'customer' compresses our understanding of these people to an economically reductionist relationship. (The 'euphemistic treadmill' is a related concept.)
Ultimately, an attitude can make up for the word choice. For example, if you say 'user' with the same reverence as do the software agents in the original 'Tron' movie, you'll be paying the users way more respect than 'customer' grants.
- flomo 14y agoTo some extent I'd agree, but these patterns are already deeply ingrained into corporate-speak external to any particular startup culture. Language such as "user issue" versus "customer feedback" is generally an indicator of importance. Perhaps not very meaningful (depending on your perspective), but important nonetheless.