Hope you're having a splendid week thus far. Before we get into it, get acquainted with the state of User Research in 2021.
We've got some good reads for you so let's jump right in.
Note: For any articles behind the paywall, open them on an incognito/private window and you should be good to go.
The Barnum Effect and the sweet nothings of astrology ♋
From our own Canvs Editorial: How personalisation can sometimes be generalised, particularly if you look at it through the lens of astrology.
What is semiotics and why it’s crucial for designers 🔄
Why designers need to learn what users understand before we try to help them.
Why using Facebook and YouTube should require a media literacy test ✍️
Just like driving requires an exam, social media users should be required to take a 15-minute media literacy course, followed by a quiz, before using their platform of choice.
BigBasket & DailyBasket, a case of big tech punching down 🛒
DailyBasket, a tech startup based in Coimbatore recently received a cease and desist letter from BigBasket to close down our operations and hand over our domains to them because they have 'basket' in their name. Read this note sent out by the DailyBasket team discussing the points in the cease and desist.
Google fires another AI ethics engineer 📦
Margaret Mitchell was the co-leader of a group investigating ethics in AI, alongside Timnit Gebru, who said she was fired in December.
The biggest finance blunder of 2020 💸
A few months back, Citibank accidentally transferred nearly $900 million dollars to a group of lenders. And now, a New York Court has ruled that the lenders are under no obligation to return the money.
'Social Listening' and the newly emerging data source for day traders 📈
A look at what happens after the Reddit 'meme stock' episode, and why it'll mean change is coming for every business.
NASA's Perseverance has landed! 🚀
Also, get to know Swati Mohan, the Indian origin scientist who worked on the team as JPL's Guidance & Controls Operations Lead. On Monday, NASA released a video that included several viewpoints from the descent of Mars Perseverance to the surface of the red planet last week.
The truth about localization: What actually happens? 📚
A dive into the deep end of localization: How is it done? What do you need to keep in mind? And how can you make sure it goes well?
Innovation, not trees is how Bill Gates believes the world can be saved 💡
In this podcast Mr. Gates talks about why the world should listen to a billionaire with a private plane when it comes to the environment. He also discusses tech regulation, vaccine timelines and whether underestimating Elon Musk is ever a good idea.
Amazon documents reveal the company’s secret strategy to dodge India’s regulators 📝
Amazon favoured big sellers on its India platform – and used them to manoeuvre around rules meant to protect the country's small retailers from getting crushed by e-commerce giants, internal documents show. As one presentation urged: “Test the Boundaries of what is allowed by law.”
Honorary mentions
Quantum physics has the answer to making better holograms ✨
How India's artisanal fountain pens are making their mark 🖋️
Talk Radio Can’t Keep Up With Podcasts — or Clubhouse 📻
Some standout work from the world of design 🖼️
What we can learn from Apple's dataviz accessibility 📊
And that's the lot! Thanks for checking out what we had to share with you this week, we shall catch up with you next Wednesday.
Also, please do let your friends know about D&T if they'd be interested! Canvs Club
