undefended / undefeated

Sara Hendren's 'undefended / undefeated' Substack explores the intersections of design, technology, art, and education with a focus on accessibility, inclusion, and human-centered approaches. It critiques the existing design paradigms and advocates for thoughtful consideration of how design impacts people's lives, especially those with disabilities.

Design and Accessibility Technology and Society Art and Material Culture Educational Approaches Human-Centered Design Personal Reflections and Experiences Social Media and Digital Life

The hottest Substack posts of undefended / undefeated

And their main takeaways

vocab lesson

530 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Architecture Criticism
  1. Learn to describe the built world using precise language.
  2. Understanding choices in design helps reveal underlying assumptions.
  3. Design involves making intentional choices and exploring various possibilities.

triumph of the diagnostic?

393 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Disability Mental health Humanity Self
  1. Design for disability aims to broaden accessibility and recognition of full personhood, beyond medical labels.
  2. There is a concerning trend of medicalization, with more diagnoses and treatments for various conditions.
  3. The paradox of medicalization raises questions about the nature of everyday suffering and the need for both biomedical and existential approaches.

design is commitment + provisionality

511 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🪑 Design Urban Interior Product Architecture
  1. Design involves commitment and provisionality, like trying out new ideas in a temporary way.
  2. In design, it's important to balance strong commitments with openness to change and learning.
  3. Architecture and design can play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of those with dementia through thoughtful and specific spaces.

chin up.

334 implied HN points • 10 Sep 21
  1. The story reflects on facing mortality in mundane and traumatic ways.
  2. The significance of resilience and strength in enduring personal challenges.
  3. The personal anecdotes and reflections highlight the complexities of human experiences.
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critique and repair in the lab

78 implied HN points • 09 Nov 21
  1. Build a laboratory environment that accommodates both critique and repair in technology development
  2. Rethink metrics of impact to consider equity and inclusion alongside numerical scale
  3. Revamp the Director's Fellows program into a cohort of Humanists in Residence to nurture a community-building approach

playing the believing game

98 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
  1. When evaluating design options, consider both doubting and believing games for more ambitious work.
  2. Doubting is crucial for critical thinking but believing is about deep exploration of possibilities.
  3. Practicing doubting and believing as games helps open up discussions and foster richer ideas.

a human-scale alternative to Instagram

39 implied HN points • 30 Sep 21
  1. Consider using human-scale alternatives to large social media platforms like Instagram.
  2. Be mindful of how the design of digital tools can influence behavior.
  3. Recognize the impact of individual choices in shaping inner life and social connections.

"if you can't get out of it, get into it"

19 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
  1. If you can't get out of a situation, try to get into it.
  2. During challenging times, consider embracing the specifics of your surroundings.
  3. Finding value in going deep into what is close by can bring unexpected insights.

"everything you learn you're only rememberin'"

19 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
  1. Real insight may come from what's already inside us, like self-knowledge.
  2. In experiential education, reflecting on actions is key for solidifying learning.
  3. Reflecting on our experiences and making sense of them is crucial for learning and growth.

sara hendren on design, technology, art, and more

19 implied HN points • 04 Jun 21
  1. Sara Hendrson explores design, technology, and art in her newsletter.
  2. She focuses on ideas related to design and disability, beyond just inclusion.
  3. Her work delves into the deeper aspects of material culture.