The Design of Future Things Ch. 2

The Design of Future Things
Chapter 2
Donald Norman
Editors:

Summary:
The second chapter continues with the idea that the main problem with computer human interaction is the lack of communication between machines and their users. The author extends this idea by explaining how most users have no idea how the machines that they are using truly work. To the user these machines just seem to work, and that leaves a communication gap between the two parties.


The author then shifts his focus to the aspects of the human brain and how each relates to machines. According to the author, the human brain can be separated into the visceral, behavioral, and reflective components. While machines are able to demonstrate visceral and behavioral components, they have not yet reached the capacity to demonstrate the reflective component. The author then explains how machines could reach the reflective level through augmentation. As a result, the machine would inherit much of the subconscious, thinking work that is generally reserved for the user , whereas the user would simply make high level commands to the machine.


Discussion:


I think that the author is doing a great job at building on his examples from the previous chapters. It gives the readings a sense of continuity and doesn't overload the reader with examples. On the other hand, this chapter seemed to be less flowing and seemed to jump around from idea to idea with little transition or explanation. The ideas presented in this chapter could be extended to improve interfaces for computer human interaction, Like the author described, there needs to be more communication between users and machines. Allowing the user to see why a machine made a certain choice would definitely be a step in the right direction.