{"id":46462,"date":"2025-01-16T13:52:37","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T18:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=46462"},"modified":"2025-01-16T20:21:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T01:21:03","slug":"let-the-user-help-solve-their-own-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/16\/let-the-user-help-solve-their-own-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Let the User Help Solve Their Own Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

Peter Hosey<\/a> (Mastodon<\/a>):<\/p>\n

\n

I wish we had a maps app like Apple Maps or Google Maps that let you order up a travel itinerary using public transit between two points, and explicitly pick the transit routes involved. Or, ideally, multiple sets of routes, for comparison.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Sometimes all the app’s recommendations are reasonable, but sometimes there’s one or more options that might be preferable—and I don’t know how<\/em> preferable if the app isn’t showing me when the next 49 arrives, so I can compare to the 7 minutes for a 14R or 9 minutes (including a short walk) for BART.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

This is one instance of a general problem, which is products having only algorithmic solutions to the user’s needs, with no opportunity for the user to contribute to the solution.<\/p>\n

The algorithmic-only model admits only one remedy: Improve the algorithm. But because no algorithm will ever be perfect, you’ll be playing this game of whac-a-mole forever.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n