What is an Antipattern?
Before defining antipatterns, we must define a pattern. A pattern is a method of solving a common problem by using a generalized procedure1. Therefore an antipattern is a solution that presents more problems then they address2.
Initially, the term antipattern was coined in engineering and software development, but its definition can be used in a much broader sense too. There is already a wide range of resources and literature on antipatterns in engineering and software development. I want to refer the interested reader to Wikipedia and the extensive collection of antipatterns on the c2.com wiki.
I want to devote this website mainly on antipatterns in our social life. However I do not try to be scientific. The examples in my Antipatterns section may not be antipatterns in the strict sense. The only requirement I have to list them here, is that they are an attempt to solve a problem which causes even more problems.
1 Rising, Linda, ed. (1998), The Patterns Handbook: Techniques, Strategies, and Applications: Techniques, Strategies, and Applications, Cambridge University Press
2 http://www.antipatterns.com/briefing/sld003.htm
How do you want to die today?
· 4 June 2008, 21:05 ·
After the horrible attacks on the WTC many people decided to take their car instead of a plane. However, this is actually even more dangerous.