Response to the reading (my first non-picture post)

Human Computer Interaction in Science Fiction Movies

Metaphor 1.0

The first point of interest that I would like to discuss is man-machine interaction/dependency. One particular example is the movie "Metropolis" because it portrays the idea that no matter how much we get ahead of ourselves, machines will always be dependent on us to "survive". (Although, I don't quite deem it survival because machines don't seem to have the same instinct for survival which is embedded in every living thing.) In this "futuristic" movie, the machine simply cannot function without the human creators to operate it. Another movie which illustrates this point magnificently is "The Matrix". Although humans are no longer needed to actually build and maintain the machinery, they are still needed as an energy source to keep the "wheels turning".

I believe the dependency between humans and machines is actually more inverse than the movies would have us believe. I think we are more dependent on technology to live than machines are dependent on us for the simple fact that they do not have that inherent will to survive, as I mentioned earlier.

Metaphor 2.0

I think the use of many "palm pilot" type devices, as demonstrated in Star Trek TNG, tries to put forth the point that no matter how futuristic a device can get, it will always fall back on the traditional paradigms that have been proven in the long run. The "tablet PC", as it was called in the reading, and transfer of information from there to the wall display, is simply transcribing information from point A to point B. Teachers have been doing that for ages, transcribing their notes onto the blackboard so that other may view the information. Although it seems crude and obvious, the futuristic adaptation of Star Trek makes it look impressive, although using an ancient methodology.

Metaphor 3.0

I thought this is a fairly obvious metaphor, but the biometric scans of a person walking into an establishment and the computer automatically knowing his/her consumer habits (Minority Report) is an obvious pointer to Big Brother and consumer bombardment. The idea of a computer keeping detailed files on me, and watching every movement I make is rampant with Big Brother references. Also, in today's society, advertisements and consumerism is become so omnipresent, that it is hard to get away from it for even a moment. Imagine advertisements following you wherever you go, enticing you to buy their new wares? I shudder at the thought.

Metaphor 4.0

I enjoyed when the author went into the use of hand-gestures in the use of operating I/O devices, like those mentioned in "Minority Report" and "Johnny Mnemonic". The metaphor in these cases are actually quite literal. The idea of opening a computer file by simply, physically opening a file in a virtual world (Johnny Mnemonic) is both intriguing and comical. The same goes for clearing ones virtual desktop by gesturing in a sweeping motion, as if to clear your desk (also mentioned in the reading while discussing Minority Report). Such actions are simple and straightforward. One would ask why not implement these ideologies today? Although the idea is simple, the development in such technology is actually quite complex.