Areas of Expertise:
- project management
- product design
- usability
- creative thinking
- user experience
- speaking
- training
- writing
Biography
Books
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Blog
Scott's blog posts are hosted at:
http://www.scottberkun.com
http://www.scottberkun.com
November 19 2008
Here’s a good one from about this time last year: debunking thanksgiving myths. It’s a great example of how much we confidently assume we know is true as adults, based simply on what we were told as kids. read moreNovember 19 2008
Obama will create the first CTO position for the US government. You can suggest and vote on what the CTO’s agenda should be (This doesn’t appear to be an official site, but it does already have thousands of votes). How to get people to send you less email. Whenever people… read moreToronto Wed Dec 3rd: Anyone want me to speak?
November 16 2008
I’ll be in town for a private speaking gig, but if there’s a community group or someone else who wants to organize a public place for me to speak on Wed Dec 3rd, I’d be happy to try and make it happen. Leave a comment or contact me directly. read moreNovember 13 2008
Today marks the third annual World Usability Day. There are many events taking place online and more in various cities around the world, possibly near you. My favorite event is the Alarm clock rally: You have to guess how hard to use each alarm clock is. In years past I did tons… read moreNovember 13 2008
Author William Gibson finds one of his books in a sad place. Happens to everyone. Secrets of the writing of the Daily Show. Amusing, but there are some interesting nuggets on process in there. Also note the size of the staff. The Nature journal has a special issue on innovation.… read moreNovember 13 2008
The longer I’m on this planet, the more I think the problem with everything is someone’s failure to get the basics right. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been invited to companies or to talk about projects going on here or there, only to hear some basic, fundamental… read moreNovember 10 2008
Last week I was in Trinidad, just off the coast of South America. I was speaking at the BDC’s Innovation to Income conference and took a few extra days for fun. It’s an interesting place - since most tourists head over to the quiet, beautiful neighboring island of Tobago, Trinidad… read moreInnovation in sports: Chessboxing
November 10 2008
One breakthrough moment as a kid was the first time I played a pinball machine that, when you hit the right bumpers, would release a second ball. This little change transformed pinball forever, as the level of panic required to managed two or more balls at once created an entirely… read moreCMU study on privacy - opinions wanted
November 04 2008
A group of super smart researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (who I happen to be friends with) are conducting a web-based survey about online privacy concerns. They did it last year and your input was super helpful. They told me so. Twice. Not only will doing this make you feel good… read moreWill 2008 election ballots be usable? An expert interview
November 03 2008
At UI13 I had the chance to chat with Dana Chisnell of usabilityworks.net, who has been working on ballot design and usability for the last few years. She agreed to answer some questions about what’s happened since 2000 and 2004, and what we should expect from ballot designs this week. SB.… read moreBook Review: The New Kings of Nonfiction
October 28 2008
I’m a big fan of essay collections and when I came across this one, The New kings of Nonfiction, edited by Ira Glass of This American Life fame I had high expectations. The book is good. Three of Five stars. If you’ve never gone out of your way to pick… read moreHave a novel in you? Prove it (National novel writing month)
October 26 2008
In about a week, hundreds of folks will start working on a new novel, writing about 1500 words a day as part of National Novel Writing Month (aka NanoWriMo). It’s a great way to kick yourself into gear, and use the collective morale energy of other amateur and pro writers… read moreLuddite news: My new cell phone is…
October 23 2008
I’ve owned one cell phone in my life - This Motorola something or other. I bought it in 2003 when I quit my job. Back then, I bought it mostly because my wife got the same one - she’s smart, and on average copying what she does works out well.… read moreOctober 22 2008
Bill Verplank sketching and talking at same time. Had the pleasure of seeing him speak at UIE last week, and talking to him for awhile. This short video of him in action is easily worth the 4 minutes, especially if you are a designer of any kind. Among his credits:… read moreCritiquing Gladwell, Part 2 (Late bloomers vs. Young geniuses)
October 21 2008
Gladwell has another interesting piece in the New Yorker, but it’s another article with some important oversights and slight of hand with the truth. I’ve critiqued him before, and now he’s earned a second one. The piece, titled Late bloomers: Why do we equate genius with precocity?, makes one major mistake… read moreAlso find Scott on:
