Comments on: The Amsterdam urinals http://nudges.wordpress.com From Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's "Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness" Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:52:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Matt http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-7235 Matt Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:02:11 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-7235 Why not just post a sign: "Please be considerate of the next passengers and keep this area clean." Wouldn't this be just as effective? Sometimes people need to be reminded to be courteous, especially if they're in a hurry or preoccupied. The problem with the 'fly' solution is that once people get used to it, they forget about it and return to their normal behavior. Or worse, they feel manipulated and behave even worse in retaliation. But if you educate people you can change behavior permanently. 'Nudging' is no substitute for education, whether it's in peeing or how to spend money. Give people the information they need and let them make their own rational decision. They will. Why not just post a sign: “Please be considerate of the next passengers and keep this area clean.” Wouldn’t this be just as effective? Sometimes people need to be reminded to be courteous, especially if they’re in a hurry or preoccupied. The problem with the ‘fly’ solution is that once people get used to it, they forget about it and return to their normal behavior. Or worse, they feel manipulated and behave even worse in retaliation. But if you educate people you can change behavior permanently.

‘Nudging’ is no substitute for education, whether it’s in peeing or how to spend money. Give people the information they need and let them make their own rational decision. They will.

]]> By: Emanuele http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-6893 Emanuele Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:04:24 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-6893 What a good idea! What a good idea!

]]> By: reDragon http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-6070 reDragon Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:45:15 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-6070 I am often disgusted with females who hover rather than sit. The next person who has business to attend to must check for splatters on the seat, or risk sitting in a puddle. Eeew. I am often disgusted with females who hover rather than sit. The next person who has business to attend to must check for splatters on the seat, or risk sitting in a puddle. Eeew.

]]> By: Gareth Williams http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-5575 Gareth Williams Sun, 03 May 2009 08:05:31 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-5575 Jess, I hope you took no notice and struck a blow for mankind. Jess, I hope you took no notice and struck a blow for mankind.

]]> By: Jess http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-2761 Jess Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:46:50 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-2761 That could explain quite a bit about Continental foreign policy. That could explain quite a bit about Continental foreign policy.

]]> By: Paul http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-2668 Paul Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:18:26 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-2668 In Germany (and neighboring continental European countries) it has become part of middle-class etiquette for men to do their business while sitting down on the toilet in order to reduce the mess. A few years ago, I was invited to a party, and, after consuming some beverages, went to the toilet. When I lifted up the toilet seat to do my business standing up, I triggered some kind of audio recording: a voice spoke to me and reminded me to sit down! Much to my embarrassment, I think it was audible outside, so other guests must have noticed that a man just attempted to break the toilet etiquette...! In Germany (and neighboring continental European countries) it has become part of middle-class etiquette for men to do their business while sitting down on the toilet in order to reduce the mess. A few years ago, I was invited to a party, and, after consuming some beverages, went to the toilet. When I lifted up the toilet seat to do my business standing up, I triggered some kind of audio recording: a voice spoke to me and reminded me to sit down! Much to my embarrassment, I think it was audible outside, so other guests must have noticed that a man just attempted to break the toilet etiquette…!

]]> By: Hannah http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-1012 Hannah Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:26:04 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-1012 We have been using this "technology" in English primary schools for many years - they have urinals with a real target painted on it. We have been using this “technology” in English primary schools for many years – they have urinals with a real target painted on it.

]]> By: charlie http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-127 charlie Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:23:54 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-127 Far be it from me to splatter your blog anonymously! Sorry left my e mail off prior note. Far be it from me to splatter your blog anonymously! Sorry left my e mail off prior note.

]]> By: charlie http://nudges.wordpress.com/the-amsterdam-urinals/#comment-126 charlie Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:22:52 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?page_id=100#comment-126 Why stop there? Lets combine the "choice architecture" of the amsterdam urinals, Anthony's "averse sound mat" concept, an aspect of the Milgram experiments & Lovaass infamous work- and have the mats deliever a mild electric shock to all men who splatter beyond the acceptable amounts! Of course, we will then have to account for the sociopathic personality - latent archtype (SPLAT)-who will surreptiously splatter on the person's mat who is standing next to them. Why stop there? Lets combine the “choice architecture” of the amsterdam urinals, Anthony’s “averse sound mat” concept, an aspect of the Milgram experiments & Lovaass infamous work- and have the mats deliever a mild electric shock to all men who splatter beyond the acceptable amounts!

Of course, we will then have to account for the sociopathic personality – latent archtype (SPLAT)-who will surreptiously splatter on the person’s mat who is standing next to them.

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