#valuesensitivedesign

[maartenvanmechelen]

Human-computer Integration

In a thought-provoking article in ACM Interactions, Farooq and Grudin argue that we are moving from a human-computer ‘interaction’ paradigm to an increasingly symbiotic relationship with technology. This ‘integration’ implies partnerships and codependence, in which both humans and software act with autonomy and draw meaning from each other’s presence (e.g. current evolutions in AI and Deep Learning). Due to this ongoing integration, investigating computer initiative and transparency with respect to human agency becomes an even more pressing area for research. To this end, it is important to consider patterns of behavior holistically, to not only reveal ‘what’ and ‘when’ users (and computers) do something, but ‘why’ they do it. This calls for ethnographic and value-sensitive design approaches – exactly our expertise at the Meaningful Interactions Lab (KU Leuven - imec). The article can be found here: http://bit.ly/2fwe29y

[maartenvanmechelen]

Designing for Good

The link below offers an excellent introduction to Fogg’s behavior design, i.e. how to design for habits. Whereas Fogg intended to un-slave people from technology, his principles such as “Put hot triggers in the path of motivated people” are often misused in the commercial sphere to hijack on users’ psychological vulnerabilities. Whilst ethical applications of his design principles do exist (e.g. some educational software and health applications), it raises the question to what extent we -- as technology and product designers -- are truly empowering people, as opposed to helping to hook them. The fundamental question we should ask ourselves is how to make the world a better place mediated by technology, which stresses the importance of ethics and values in design. http://bit.ly/2cgxsRK

[maartenvanmechelen]

Value Sensitive Design

A quote about Value Sensitive Design that made me think:

"Bardzell argued against ‘universal’ statements and designs and in favour of considerations of diversity of perspective, with a research focus on edge cases rather than on the relatively homogeneous middle of a population."

- Boring & Muller in The Next Steps for Value Sensitive Design (2012)

Thus, Value Sensitive Design should include diverse voices, should examine the edge cases around a values-question, and should interrogate its own Value Sensitive Design practices with questions such as who is recognised as an analyst of values?