[Project] TED-style talk – Make Me Care

2nd Story (SAMARITAN)

One day, a man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Along the way, he was approached by a robber who stripped him and beat him - leaving him half dead with no possessions.

Luckily, a Priest was going down the same way. But when he saw the beaten traveler, he avoided him and passed by.

A while later, a Levite was passing the same road. He felt sorry for the traveler but didn’t help the man either.

Lastly, a Samaritan was walking by. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds using his own expensive oil and wine.

He didn’t stop there but took him to an inn where he took care of him through the night.

The next morning, the Samaritan had to leave to continue his journey. So he left the inn owner money to take care of him. And if he spent beyond that, he promised to repay the owner when he returned.

Empathy in IxD

This was the Good Samaritan story but how is this important to Interaction Design?

It’s also a story about EMPATHY.

Let’s take a moment to look at where this word comes from.

There’s a Greek word called, PATHOS, which means, mercy, experience, and emotion. And from this, three words relating to experience and emotion was formed.

The first word is APATHY. The A in front of the word, PATHY, makes it the opposite meaning. So this means merciless, ruthless, and emotionless. They’re usually the robbers and the dictators.

- (And in design, Apathy would simply be the formation, an imitation or arrangement of things. and not taking into consideration of the user at all.)

The second is SYMPATHY. SYM means WITH. So at this point, you are able to understand other’s pain and emotion WITH them. This is the Priest and the Levite who felt bad for the victim.

- (Sympathy in design is the ability to contain information that can help others.)

The last is our word, EMPATHY. EM means INTO. This is the ability to go INTO and feel what the other person is feeling. This is the Samaritan who went INTO understanding the victim’s pain and situation.

The most important thing to note is that empathy still occurred even when there was no relationship at all with the victim. The traveler and the Samaritan were strangers. Empathy transcends obstacles to help others, without any racial, sexual, or cultural barriers.

- (Empathy in interaction design is the reformation that can truly lead to transformation.)

Call to Action, why it’s important

In Interaction Design, we know that understanding the user’s wants and needs is key to a successful design. Having empathy is commonly emphasized.

Empathy requires us to observe closely.

Helps us visualize solutions.

Creates desire to test and refine ideas.

And pushes us to work better with our teammates.

It allows us to discover new perspectives.

Empathy is our fuel to creativity.

But most importantly, empathy in design maintains humanity in the world.

In the end, we are not looking for ways to connect with apps - we are looking for ways to connect better with humans.

Central American Minors

This semester, I had the opportunity to learn about the unaccompanied, undocumented Central American Minors that risk their lives to cross the US Mexican border. However, many of these minors are caught and put into solitary confinement in part of America’s billion-dollar prison industry. And that becomes their youth, surrounded by cold walls and nothing else to look forward to.

When I first heard their story, I could not help but feel sad, angry, and guilty at the same time.

I’ve never met these minors and probably never will. We are complete strangers. So I didn’t know what I could do- but I knew I had to do something.

Fortunately, I was able to incorporate this with my Programming and Electronics class. I made this final project where the story of the Central American Minors is told from panel to panel as the audience removes each burden from their body onto a separate platform. From this, the audience is not only interacting with this new information but also is giving them a sense of responsibility of the story they’re choosing to hear.

Strong Close

Empathy is hard. It’s difficult because it forces us to not think about ourselves.

And I believe there is no correct way of being empathetic because in the end, it’s your personal connection, your personal interpretation, and your personal design doing its best to help others.

As designers designing for humans, I believe that there are so many opportunities for empathy. With empathy, we dig deep into each other’s hearts and minds.

And this is our leverage in designing and transforming the world we interact in.

[In Class] Talk Prep – Make Me Care : planning, prototype & practice: https://euginachun.wixsite.com/mysite/blog/in-class-talk-prep-make-me-care-planning-prototype-practice