Comments on: Pushing the line between style and function http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:35:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Virginia L. Beach http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97249 Virginia L. Beach Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:56:58 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97249 I confess, I have a pair of emerald green digital hearing aids worn with silver confetti earmolds. Wonder what that says about me... other than the fact that I'm Celtic and enjoy a fun party now and then? I confess, I have a pair of emerald green digital hearing aids worn with silver confetti earmolds.

Wonder what that says about me… other than the fact that I’m Celtic and enjoy a fun party now and then?

]]> By: raining in the northweset http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97148 raining in the northweset Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:07:52 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97148 They look horrible. Does not embody at all the merging of form and function. To achieve the harmonious pairing of the two is not always easy, especially when combining the organic with the non-organic. However, Ralph Lauren was able to do this successfully. It would be very interesting to see what he can do with hearing aids. Form and function. Why are some things ugly and some things aesthetically pleasing? Here's how I disambiguate, in my mind, the difference between form and function. A truck. An SUV. Whenever I see a good ol' beat up truck, it sure looks like it's been used! The function is apparent--that the truck was made for utility; hauling things, dumping things, etc. How about an SUV with chrome bling wheels? Where's the function in that? All I see is form but no function other than to boost the ego of the driver who apparently is cash strapped but opting for materialism, all for show. And which of the two do I place more importance on? I say function. I have a Dodge Caravan that looks like complete crap, like a rotten tomato.. but hey at least it hauls the kids around and saves my back from lifting the kids. Who the hell cares what the van looks like? At least it's paid for. On the contrary, what if I had, say, a Hummer H2? First off, that's completely form, no function for me. Gas guzzling, still have to pick up the kids and buckle them in.. repairs get expensive.. nothing but a humongous liability.. all for what? Show? Money flowing out of my pocket. While I use cars as examples, this applies to many other things, like clothes! Sunglasses! Shoes! Oh god... bought a pair of shoes last year that I thought looked the coolest. Two weeks later my feet were hurting bad. Bad. Bad. I tossed them. It's worth to pay a little more for shoes that are comfortable even though they don't quite fit the idea of trendy shoes.. So, these hearing aids, while attempting to conform to form and function, in my opinion are a horrible failure. Jeezus. A montrosity. But on the other hand, what if these hearing aids help me hear better than I ever have in my life time? Would I swallow my pride and wear these ugly things in exchange to be able to hear everything? Who knows.. Sorry for the rant. BF They look horrible. Does not embody at all the merging of form and function. To achieve the harmonious pairing of the two is not always easy, especially when combining the organic with the non-organic. However, Ralph Lauren was able to do this successfully. It would be very interesting to see what he can do with hearing aids.

Form and function. Why are some things ugly and some things aesthetically pleasing? Here’s how I disambiguate, in my mind, the difference between form and function.

A truck.
An SUV.

Whenever I see a good ol’ beat up truck, it sure looks like it’s been used! The function is apparent–that the truck was made for utility; hauling things, dumping things, etc.

How about an SUV with chrome bling wheels? Where’s the function in that? All I see is form but no function other than to boost the ego of the driver who apparently is cash strapped but opting for materialism, all for show.

And which of the two do I place more importance on? I say function. I have a Dodge Caravan that looks like complete crap, like a rotten tomato.. but hey at least it hauls the kids around and saves my back from lifting the kids. Who the hell cares what the van looks like? At least it’s paid for.

On the contrary, what if I had, say, a Hummer H2? First off, that’s completely form, no function for me. Gas guzzling, still have to pick up the kids and buckle them in.. repairs get expensive.. nothing but a humongous liability.. all for what? Show? Money flowing out of my pocket.

While I use cars as examples, this applies to many other things, like clothes! Sunglasses! Shoes! Oh god… bought a pair of shoes last year that I thought looked the coolest. Two weeks later my feet were hurting bad. Bad. Bad. I tossed them. It’s worth to pay a little more for shoes that are comfortable even though they don’t quite fit the idea of trendy shoes..

So, these hearing aids, while attempting to conform to form and function, in my opinion are a horrible failure. Jeezus. A montrosity. But on the other hand, what if these hearing aids help me hear better than I ever have in my life time? Would I swallow my pride and wear these ugly things in exchange to be able to hear everything? Who knows.. Sorry for the rant.

BF

]]> By: Allison Kaftan http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97132 Allison Kaftan Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:17:01 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97132 Well, yeah, that's another thing that's confusing to me. They use the word "discreet" more than once in their PR, and you've noticed their invisibility in the photos. So it's nice you can't see them. Fine, whatever. But if that's the case, then what's up with the focus on style and neat-o colors and bucking "stigma?" Well, yeah, that’s another thing that’s confusing to me. They use the word “discreet” more than once in their PR, and you’ve noticed their invisibility in the photos. So it’s nice you can’t see them.

Fine, whatever. But if that’s the case, then what’s up with the focus on style and neat-o colors and bucking “stigma?”

]]> By: Anonyomous http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97131 Anonyomous Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:03:49 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97131 Those "hearing aids" shown look like bumblebees. Style is questionable, at best. Those “hearing aids” shown look like bumblebees. Style is questionable, at best.

]]> By: Adam Stone http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97118 Adam Stone Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:17:58 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97118 I find it very interesting that there are NO pictures of people wearing the Brite in either the advertisement or on their website. I want to see what it actually looks like on someone! I find it very interesting that there are NO pictures of people wearing the Brite in either the advertisement or on their website. I want to see what it actually looks like on someone!

]]> By: Lolajl http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97107 Lolajl Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:46:18 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97107 Very interesting. Doesn't say anywhere on the website if it's suitable for people who were born deaf. Probably not . . . Very interesting. Doesn’t say anywhere on the website if it’s suitable for people who were born deaf. Probably not . . .

]]> By: Mr. Sandman http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97104 Mr. Sandman Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:42:19 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97104 Aw, you're so sweet to credit (and plug) my semi-abandoned blog! This is fascinating, however. Will all the colors they have be neon or pastel? Oddiologically Orange? Frequency Fuschia? Honeydew Hertz? I think they'd be really smart if they hired Tomato to be their designer, though... ;-) Aw, you’re so sweet to credit (and plug) my semi-abandoned blog!

This is fascinating, however. Will all the colors they have be neon or pastel? Oddiologically Orange? Frequency Fuschia? Honeydew Hertz?

I think they’d be really smart if they hired Tomato to be their designer, though… ;-)

]]> By: Chris Heuer http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97102 Chris Heuer Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:29:25 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97102 The obvious solution is to ALSO purchase (at 20% off for a limited time only!) Brite's spectacular new line of turtlenecks, baseball caps, and sunglasses! In the glare of all that reflective sunlight, you'll now TRULY have the option of wearing a hearing aid that's completely invisible! The obvious solution is to ALSO purchase (at 20% off for a limited time only!) Brite’s spectacular new line of turtlenecks, baseball caps, and sunglasses! In the glare of all that reflective sunlight, you’ll now TRULY have the option of wearing a hearing aid that’s completely invisible!

]]> By: Keri http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97094 Keri Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:08:43 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97094 Aww, Tomato Lichy! I miss that crazy and sweet guy! Yes, his hearing aid definitely stood out at Deaf Way II! As for this aid, it looks a bit too futuristic for me. I would love a hearing aid that works like Mr. and Mrs. Potato-Head...different fashion accessories available for when the mood strikes and to go with different outfits. ;) Aww, Tomato Lichy! I miss that crazy and sweet guy! Yes, his hearing aid definitely stood out at Deaf Way II! As for this aid, it looks a bit too futuristic for me. I would love a hearing aid that works like Mr. and Mrs. Potato-Head…different fashion accessories available for when the mood strikes and to go with different outfits. ;)

]]> By: Allison Kaftan http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97093 Allison Kaftan Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:46:03 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/allison-kaftan/2008-04-15/pushing-the-line-between-style-and-function/#comment-97093 Grins... you mean because one group is more fashionable than the other, right? Grins… you mean because one group is more fashionable than the other, right?

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