3 Main Ideas

Today computers are shrinking and reaching new areas of our lives. However, the majority of us probably still sit at a desktop computer and use a keyboard, mouse and monitor. This type of computing interface practically isolates and immobilizes our physical bodies. Today many of our body's functions have been taken over by the perspective of the machine. We use computers to view and explore the world, cars to travel, ipods to hear and so on. Our experience of the world is increasingly mediated by computers.

In a world where everything occurs through the use of machines, our bodies become increasingly obsolete. For example take transportation, most people in San Diego own a car and drive to any given destination; students living on campus will even drive a minimal distance to visit a friends dorm instead of walking. Cars have become the new bionic legs and arms of people today. Not having a car is like being physically handicapped. If one takes the bus or other commuting alternatives it is still a handicap - public transportation is the equivalent of dial up internet while private transport by car is more like typical isp service.

Another issue I would like to address in this project is the use of alternative interfaces. The touchscreen interface has been getting fairly popular with many portable devices implementing software gui that utilize this function. I feel like this is a step in the direction of moving away from the mouse and keyboard setup. However most touch screen interfaces only exercise the fingers. By having the user perform more physical activity, I hope to bring a sense of appreciation for all the work computers do for us and further breakdown traditional notions of interface. My inspiration for an alternative interface is ASL (American Sign Language). ASL utilizes the body's constraints and affordances to create a language composed of from the different forms one can make with their body and face. Its an utterly "human" language. Often times the metaphor for a "command line interface" is like giving out speech commands and having to explicitly describe all the actions. ASL brings a physicality to the navigation of a gui.

Finally the third issue I would like to address with the project is the private and public aspects of computing. Using the computer is mostly a personal affair, whether one is on a laptop in class or at home in the comfort of their home. Like the cell phone the desktop/laptop computer is a personal device - millions of people look at porn every day - this is possible due to the private nature of using a computer. This private nature often isolates one physically, however on the flip side - access to a computer is quite liberating and grants virtual freedom. Being on the computer can mean being connected to friends through websites like MySpace.com or Facebook.com, it also empowers Internet users with tools from Google or video broadcast sites. The Internet is a vast and seemingly public space yet people often access from a private physical bubble. The keyboard mouse interface is meant for one person, our culture approaches computers as personal devices, there are many factors which seem to isolate people and computers.