Design of Future Things
Donald A. Norman
Basic Books, 2007
Summary:
This chapter emphasized the communication between people and machines, or rather, the lack thereof. As machines become more and more automated, they take more and more choices out of the hands of their owners. The intelligent car is an excellent example, able to brake, accelerate, follow turns, and much much more simply based on the environment it's in. However, this can lead to trouble through misinterpretation of the environment. The trouble is compounded through lack or human input and through little to no warning of errors. If the machine makes an incorrect choice, the operator may only have a split second to compensate. The main problem, Norman argues, is that there is no true dialogue between machine and operator. The operator issues commands, and the machine issues a response. This is contrary to interactions between, say, a horse and rider. Both intelligent beings, they can send each other signals based on their perceptions and interpretations of the environment. With automated machines, however, there is no true communication. Norman ends by arguing for machines that augment, not automate, tasks.
Discussion:
Having interacted with several automated machines myself, I completely agree with Norman's analysis. Until a machine exists that can process an environment in the same way as a human, they will always be guessing the correct action to take in any given situation. Even if it's the correct action most of the time, it may only take one mistake by a high-powered piece of machinery to radically alter the life of a person. I also agree that augmentation is preferable to automation. I'm a big believer in people making their own choices, so as long as they aren't forced into a decision by a machine then I'm okay with it.
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| Car of the future? |
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