Human-Computer Interactions (HCI)

Today is a good day.

I am officially done reading new content from Eyman. Hallelujah.

However, the experience with this reading was unusual for me. This section was rather short. For the first time after reading Eyman, I want to read more; not because I am very interested in the subject, instead it is because I want a better understanding of human-computer interactions.

Eyman’s explanation of human-computer interactions (HCI) was relatively easy to digest. I felt that more specific examples of HCI and its relationship to digital rhetoric would have been helpful.

What are human-computer interactions?

The definition of HCI provided by Dix, Finlay, Abowd, and Beale (1993) states ““is, put simply, the study of people, computer technology, and the ways these influence each other.”

This semester has taught me that there is often a lot more interactivity going on in our everyday lives than we may realize. When I read this definition, I thought to myself “of course they influence each other.” After, I thought of some examples of how they do. I would imagine that thought process of thinking deeper would make Professor Friend happy.

Eyman also talks about how HCI relates to digital rhetoric because it shares “a focus on how people use technological systems to accomplish a wide range of tasks.” In 2024, people use technology to accomplish so many different types of tasks.

Digital or Physical

The other day, I had a conversation with my girlfriend about calendars. She lives and plans her life through Google Calendar. Every single thing she has to do the next day is on her calendar, from class to laundry. I asked her what she would do if she woke up tomorrow and Google Calendar was suddenly gone. She said that she would have a hard time remembering everything she has to get done in a week or so without it.

Personally, I wanted to get a physical shared calendar for our kitchen, but she wanted to stick to the Google Calendar due to its convenience and the comfort it has provided her. I personally would prefer a physical calendar.

All in all, I have enjoyed reading Eyman for the sake of being challenged to think deeper. These readings have also frustrated me just as much because Eyman won’t give it to me straight. He likes to make me think hard every few sentences.

Thank you for exercising my brain every week.