The author argues that bad user experience (UX) often stems from poor design choices made by designers themselves, rather than external factors like management or committees. They emphasize the need for accountability within the d...
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Jason Clauss is a problem solver who writes the Black Monolith blog on Substack.
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The article discusses the stagnation of tech culture, particularly in UI design, which has remained stuck in the aesthetics of the 2010s due to the pandemic's economic impact. It critiques the concepts of 'flat design' and 'unicor...
The author critiques the concept of 'unicorns' in UX design—individuals who claim to excel in both UX and visual design—arguing that they lack the necessary skills for effective UX work. The post discusses the backlash against the...
The post critiques the emergence of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress, arguing that it represents a misunderstanding of AI's potential in cinema. The author expresses frustration with Hollywood actors and their unions, sugges...
The post reflects on the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and the state of the metal genre following his death. It discusses the despair felt in the metal community, the historical context of metal's evolution, and the impact of various mu...
The post discusses the concept of 'enshittification' in both architecture and technology, highlighting how poor design choices in public buildings reflect a broader trend of prioritizing profit over human-centric design. It critiq...
6.1The Theory of Hipsters
2025-09-05 • technology design culture nshipster yupsters
The article critiques hipsters and their influence on culture, particularly in the tech industry, distinguishing between hipsters and 'yupsters'—a blend of yuppies and hipsters. It argues that hipsters, often perceived as non-conf...
The article discusses the rise and fall of BlueSky, a social media platform that emerged as an alternative to Twitter amid political tensions and the 2024 Presidential election. It critiques the influence of two demographics: 'tec...
The article explores how the culture of the tech industry contributes to 'enshittification,' a term used to describe the decline in quality and integrity of tech products and services. It argues that the industry's focus on novelt...
The article reflects on the cultural and architectural significance of the World Trade Center's reconstruction after 9/11, arguing that the design choices made for One World Trade Center symbolize a broader decline in American cul...
The post critiques the decline of the UX and data visualization professions, highlighting how the Great Infographic Boom led to a proliferation of low-quality visualizations. It discusses the missed opportunities for data literacy...
The author critiques Apple's user experience (UX) by contrasting it with that of software-first companies like Microsoft and Google. He argues that Apple's hardware-centric approach leads to a more stable user experience, but also...
The author critiques Apple's recent AI features, arguing that they fail to prioritize user-centric design and instead mimic the shortcomings of other tech companies. The piece emphasizes the need for AI to enhance user experience ...
The author discusses the evolving narrative around AI and employment, arguing against the notion that AI will lead to mass unemployment. Instead, they highlight the Jevons Paradox, which suggests that increased efficiency from tec...
The article discusses the rapid rise of AI technologies, particularly ChatGPT, and critiques the failures of existing technologies like Google and Wikipedia that allowed AI to flourish. It highlights the flaws in AI, such as its r...
The author critiques the negative attitudes prevalent in the UX community, particularly targeting those who complain about the industry's future and the impact of AI. They label these individuals as 'Sad Sacks' and argue that thei...
The article critiques the current state of AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), arguing that they are more artificial than intelligent and have reached their limits in mimicking human thought. The author reflects on past...
The blog post discusses the importance of a 'hide' feature in online platforms like Craigslist, emphasizing how it aids users in the exploratory phase of searching for products. The author argues that traditional filters are often...
The author argues that AI-generated music, particularly style conversions and remakes, is beneficial and necessary in the current music landscape, which is perceived as declining in quality. They highlight the success of AI covers...
The author reflects on their past success on Medium and the decline in visibility due to algorithm changes. They compile ten of their best articles that critique 2010s culture, particularly the shift from physical to digital, the ...
The blog post critiques the outrage surrounding OpenAI's decision to allow adult content on ChatGPT, arguing that the real issue lies in the societal conditions that have led to a demand for such technology. The author highlights ...
The post explores the concept of 'enshittification' and critiques the simplistic view that billionaires are solely to blame for societal decay. It highlights successful urban developments that prioritize human-centric design, cont...
Jason Clauss is seeking senior-level positions in B2B and B2C sectors, leveraging his expertise in complex systems and extensive industry experience.