Too much feedback is a problem
I talk a lot about giving feedback on here, both in terms of how to give good feedback to others, and how to appreciate feedback as a gift when it’s given to you. In both cases, though, too much feedback can be problematic.
Too much feedback could mean that your work is simply not good at all and requires being completely redone, but too much feedback could also just be getting too nitpicky and risks burying the helpful feedback among the cruft.
Excessive feedback can also be problematic when designing tools and devices. We’ve all had tools that beep and buzz and are constantly giving “feedback” to the point that you just tune them out. In his book “ The Design of Everyday Things “, author Don Norman shares this insight:
Machines that give too much feedback are like backseat drivers. Not only is it distracting to be subjected to continual flashing lights, text announcements, spoken voices, or beeps and boops, but it can be dangerous. Too many announcements cause people to ignore all of them, or wherever possible, disable all of them, which means that critical and important ones are apt to be missed. Feedback is essential, but not when it gets in the way of other things, including a calm and relaxing environment.
