Design thinking starts with ‘research’ not ‘empathy’. There can be many types of research, but the point of the article is that ‘value-laden’ research must be done. Value-laden means the researcher has a vested stake in the research and has an opinion about the topic. A feminist doing research on women for example. Research does not need to be ‘value-laden’ to be inclusive. The researcher can study the wants, needs, and desires of individuals and groups. Modern design has been ‘universal’ as it appeals to everyone. Postmodern design focuses on the subjective experience of the user. The book ‘Design Research’ by Brenda Laurel is a good introduction to this subject.