Is Usability really opposed to productive confusability?

Is Usability really opposed to productive confusability?  11/1/04

There is a fine line to walk between the seemingly opposed philosophies of usability and narrative-oriented freedom. Usability urges simplicity and clarity of design and structure; explorers of the web's new narrative possibilities point to the power and effect of intentional misdirection, ambiguity, and freedom. I think that the line is there, but is far wider and fuzzier than either camp tends to describe.