A computer becomes exactly what the user wants it to be. Sounds kind of toxic, right? But that’s the whole point. It runs on the user’s commands and creativity, keeping them happy and coming back for more. So, is there a name for this? Other than toxic, I mean. It’s called Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)—and it’s what builds that connection through its seamless interactivity. Scratch that—it influences that connection. Doug Eyman wraps up a chapter in his work “Defining and Locating Digital Rhetoric” (2015) by diving into how computers, humans, and digital rhetoric all intertwine.
Picture this: you unbox a new laptop. The generic setup screen pops up. A cheery “hello” flashes in a bunch of languages, and it asks for your info—so it knows where to charge you later, of course. Then, colorful bubbles float across the screen, a blank profile picture stares back, and it prompts you to create a PIN. Once you’re in, what’s the first thing you do? Change everything. New profile pic, updated background, add a couple of extensions—the works. What you’re really doing is crafting an identity, and the computer is taking notes. If your wallpaper is from a fandom, it’s already lining up articles, social media profiles, and recommendations from that fandom. This interactivity builds a little digital safe haven for you—and honestly, it’s wild how fast it works.
Now take Dr. Friend, for example. Most of us are stuck with the standard keyboard layout engraved in our brains, but he’s all about the Dvorak keyboard because, to him, it’s easier. The computer? It’s totally cool with this switch and even encourages it by having the setup ready to go. That’s the magic of HCI—it turns a computer into your computer. Without this adaptability and interactivity, we’d still be stuck with the old “You’ve got mail” jingle or those cringe-inducing blue error sounds. And while the memes are iconic, I’m good without hearing that every time Kean sends another blast email.
At the end of the day, we’re using the computer, and the computer is using us. Every tweak, every click, makes it a little smarter and a little more like us. Honestly, it’s kind of terrifying—says the person who just updated their Discord profile picture for the fourth time this month. But hey, not my fault. Blame the computer
Dvorak Keyboard Layout
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