Buttons Quote by Paulo Coelho
““Some things are governed by common sense. Putting buttons on the front of a shirt is a matter of logic, since it would be very difficult to button them up at the side, and impossible if they were at the back. “Other things, however, become fixed because more and more people believe that’s the way they should be. I’ll give you two examples. Have you ever wondered why the keys on a typewriter are arranged in that particular order?””
About This Quote
The quote contrasts rational design choices with arbitrary conventions that become entrenched through collective belief, illustrating how some standards arise from practicality while others persist solely because people accept them as norm.
In simple terms: Design can be logical or socially enforced.
Key Takeaway
Not all standards are inherently logical.
Themes
Design
Social norms
Convention
Logic
Culture
Perception
Mood
Curious
Analytical
Reflective
Type
Observation
Philosophical insight
When to use this quote
- Choosing product features
- Evaluating workplace policies
- Analyzing language scripts
- Designing user interfaces
- Questioning traditional practices
Key Concepts
Human behavior
Decision making
Historical inertia
Ergonomics
Practical Applications
- Product design
- User experience research
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we accept certain conventions without questioning?
- How can we identify when a practice is arbitrary versus functional?
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