the polarization of design (or, the bowman effect)

Following is a list of links related to the "Doug Bowman Leaves Google" media circus going on right now, and what seems to be turning into a game of "Who's more evil?" Bowman? Google? Design? Statistics? But more than that, it's also turning into a heated debate that is reaching outside of the borders of our industry about the importance of the art/science of design. Or lack thereof, depending on who's talking.

Anyhoo, the links are in chronological order, so Doug's "Goodbye Google" post is not first. News travels fast, to Valleywag at least. As more appears on the topic, I'll add to the list.

• Twitter Claims Valley Crown by Poaching Google's Top Designer | Valleywag
• Google Smothers Designers | Joe Clark, fawny.org
• The center of this firestorm: Goodbye Google | Doug Bowman
• Google designer leaves, blaming data-centrism | CNET
• Google's Data Fetish Drives Away It's Top Designer | Valleywag
• Bowman Leaves Google | IxDA.org discussion, With comments from Dan Saffer, Robert Hoekman, Andrei Herasimchuk, Jared Spool...
• Yes it's true... | Buzz Anderson, Sci-Fi Hi-Fi
• Douglas Bowman leaves Google | John Gruber, Daring Fireball
• Hello Google | Graham Jenkin (Manager, Google Ads UX Design)
• Google's Designer Drain | Adam Howell
• Measuring the Design Process | Scott Stevenson, Theocacao
• Bowman vs. Google, Why Data and Design Need Each Other | OK/Cancel (related comic)
• Google design: The kids are alright | Kevin Fox, fury.com
• Google's Lead Designer Doug Bowman Leaves for Twitter, Cites "Paralyzing" Lack of Design Focus | FastCompany
• UPDATES:
• The Case of Google and the Surly Ex-Designers [redacted] | anne k. halsall, random [non sequitur]
• Design and Google | John Battelle's Searchblog

Now, the following aren't directly related, but I think there are bits and pieces in here that may provide a little insight into UX at Google:

• Google's Irene Au: On Design Challenges | Business Week interviews Google's Director of User Experience, Irene Au
• Google 'Legend' Marissa Mayer Tells Lesley Stahl What's Next | wowOwow interviews Google’s Vice President of Search Products and User Experience, Marissa Mayer