AttentionMax - Latest Comments in The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

Re: The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

maxkalehoff — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:37:42 -0000

Thanks Josh. Underscoring the reclaiming of precious "users," check out the manifesto from Christopher Gierlich. I appreciate his feedback, but boy...what a defense: http://blogs.mediapost.com/spin/?p=1091#comments

Re: The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

jbernoff — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:23:31 -0000

Thanks for the link, "friend"

The technoids have come out of the woodwork on my blog to reclaim their precious "user". A sign of the times.

You're right on target of course.

Re: The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

Brian Haven — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:47:12 -0000

Max, great article. As I threw my opinion into the ring, I feel the point is that "user" is focused on the perspective of the creator (the person that uses my ...). That's not very human centered. I like to think of people as "doers" instead. That focuses on their need and activity, not the creators.

Unfortunately, "doer" doesn't sound so great. So we're still looking for a better term, but I think the perspective is very important.

Re: The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

maxkalehoff — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:12:58 -0000

Mario,
All makes sense. If I didn't work in marketing and media, and have big clients to report to and sell to, I'd move on from "consumer" faster than I am. Hopefully we'll get there.

But being that I associate users with needles shooting up heroine, I'd rather be a consumer. Just me.

Thanks for your comment.
Max

Re: The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

mario — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:03:30 -0000

Sorry - for UBC, read UGC, of course..

Re: The “User” Is Dead, But What About The Consumer?

mario — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:01:44 -0000

I have to say I think you're picking on the wrong term - I find "consumer" infinitely worse than "user". Consumer expresses a completely passive attitude, while "user" at least doesn't preclude the possibility that I am actively doing something myself, rather than consuming some predigested morsel of information or entertainment.

Having said this, I do dislike UBC as well, but not only because of the U, but more because of the G - I don't "generate", I create.. at least last time I checked.