Jihad Jammal
Intro to IM
Professor Aaron Sherwood
Reading Reflection Week 8A
March. 26, 2024
Response #1: Her Code Got Humans on the Moon
The essence of innovation, as illustrated by Margaret Hamilton’s story, pushes us to reconsider our perception of technological achievements. Hamilton’s legacy embodies the reality that groundbreaking advancements are often the culmination of relentless, behind-the-scenes effort rather than just celebrated moments of success. Her contributions, critical yet initially overshadowed by the astronauts’ lunar feats, prompt a deeper reflection on how we recognize and value the architects of progress. This perspective challenges the prevailing narrative that often glorifies the end result while glossing over the intricate processes and individuals essential to these achievements.
This narrative invites us to search for the ‘Margaret Hamiltons’ of our current era, whose pivotal work may be lurking in the shadows, unrecognized due to prevailing biases or the allure of more sensational accomplishments. It raises pertinent questions about the criteria we use to evaluate and celebrate innovation. Are we too focused on the visible peaks of success, neglecting the vast contributions that form the foundation of these achievements? The persistent gender gap in technology further complicates this discourse, suggesting that the undervaluing of foundational work might not just be a matter of oversight but also of systemic undervaluation of contributions from diverse voices. Hamilton’s story, therefore, not only highlights the need for a broader appreciation of the many facets of innovation but also calls for a more inclusive recognition of who gets to be celebrated as innovators.
Response #2: Attractive things work better
It’s clear that there’s a deep relationship between how things are designed and how we feel about them. The idea that well-made objects have the power to arouse happy emotions raises the possibility that great design is about more than just functionality—it’s also about appealing to our sense of beauty and wellbeing. My viewpoint has been expanded by this investigation into design philosophy, which shows that good design is more than just functional—it also has an emotional component that improves our day-to-day existence. It offers a vision for the direction of design, one that seeks to improve our lives by skillfully fusing beauty and functionality rather than just satisfying the most fundamental functional needs. This growing knowledge highlights the transformative potential of design, emphasizing its ability to improve the quality of our daily interactions by carefully balancing form and function in addition to solving practical issues.
Citations:
Norman, D. (2002). Emotion & Design: Attractive Things Work Better. Interactions Magazine, 9, 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1145/543434.543435
McMillan, R. (n.d.). Her Code Got Humans on the Moon—And Invented Software Itself. Wired. Retrieved March 26, 2024, from https://www.wired.com/2015/10/margaret-hamilton-nasa-apollo/