Read the vocabulary, watch the video, and then answer the questions.
Learning From Shortcuts
Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/tom_hulme_what_can_we_learn_from_shortcuts#t-424630
Vocabulary:
| Word | Type | Pronunciation | Definition |
| context | noun | /ˈkɑnˌtekst/ | the group of conditions that exist where and when something happens |
| Used in a sentence: We need to consider these events in context. | |||
| shortcut | noun | /ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt/ | a shorter, quicker, or easier way to get to a place |
| Used in a sentence: Let’s take the shortcut through the woods. | |||
| desire | noun | /dɪˈzaɪr/ | a strong wish |
| Used in a sentence: It is our desire that all of you be treated fairly. | |||
| path of least resistance | noun | /pæθ əv list rɪˈzɪstəns/ | to choose the easiest way to do something instead of trying to choose the best way |
| Used in a sentence: She tends to follow the path of least resistance instead of going after what she really wants. | |||
| diverge | verb | /daɪˈvɜrdʒ/ | to be or become different |
| Used in a sentence: They were close friends in college, but after graduation, their lives diverged. | |||
| friction | noun | /ˈfrɪkʃən/ | disagreement or tension |
| Used in a sentence: People will always look for a low-friction way to get from point A to point B. | |||
| littered | verb | /ˈlɪtərd/ | to cover a surface with many things in an untidy way (often used figuratively) |
| Used in a sentence: The town is littered with ugly houses. | |||
| pedestrian | noun | /pəˈdestriən/ | a person who is walking in a city, along a road, etc. |
| Used in a sentence: The car slid off the road and almost hit a group of pedestrians. | |||
| resourceful | adjective | /rɪˈzɔrsfəl/ | good at finding effective ways to deal with problems |
| Used in a sentence: He is resourceful in finding ways to fix problems without a large budget. | |||
| obligatory | adjective | /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔri/ | always or often included as a familiar and expected part of something |
| Used in a sentence: This action movie includes the obligatory chase scenes. | |||
| flux | noun | /flʌks/ | continuous change |
| Used in a sentence: Language is constantly in a state of flux. | |||
| chemotherapy | noun | /ˌkimoʊˈθerəpi/ | the use of chemicals to treat cancer |
| Used in a sentence: She underwent a round of chemotherapy. | |||
| nauseous | adjective | /ˈnɔʃəs/ | feeling like you are about to vomit |
| Used in a sentence: The smell of gasoline makes me nauseous. | |||
| pave | verb | /peɪv/ | to cover something with a material such as stone, tar, or concrete that forms a hard, level surface for walking, driving, etc. |
| Used in a sentence: The crew was paving the road. | |||
| emerging | adjective | /ɪˈmɜrdʒɪŋ/ | becoming widely known or established |
| Used in a sentence: This is an emerging market for us. | |||
| sprung up | verb | /sprʌŋ ʌp/ | to grow or appear suddenly |
| Used in a sentence: New housing developments are springing up all over town. | |||
Short Answer Questions:
- Describe one of the shortcuts the speaker talks about.
- How should the design process change because of shortcuts?
Discussion:
What kind of shortcuts do customers take when using our products? What kind of shortcuts do you take at work? What about in your personal life?
Answers:
- Highbury Fields in north London, Basilia, Brazil, Heathrow Airport, University of California, UNIH, and the Arsenal Football Club stadium are all examples of shortcuts the speaker discussed.
- We should watch how users use our products. If we see the customers taking shortcuts, we should see if those shortcuts can be incorporated into the design. If they are valid shortcuts, we should “pave” them by making the changes permanent.
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