Feature Creep
An article in the New Yorker explores the phenomena of “feature creep”, where products end up offering more and more features until the end user can’t figure out how to use it. At least half of all products returned to the store have nothing wrong with them, people take them back because the product is so bloated they can’t figure out how to use it. The problem is, most people when asked would prefer more product features, so the initial excitement of a digital camera that also washes the dishes can be potent sales driver.
While this is true of gadgets, this is also true of videos and television shows. When we lose sight of the original intent of the presentation, we can end up overwhelming the audience. Better to present one thing well than 12 things that you won’t remember at the end.
