Analysing and solving the reduced-ability and excessive-use dilemmas in technology use

Shigeru Wesugi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Technology use provides great benefits by extending human ability, but the negative effects cannot always be ignored. The author examined the dilemmas of technology use based on Shibata's analysis of McLuhan's extension theory and indicated two types of dilemmas in continuous technology use. First is the decreased human ability as the innate functionality is substituted by the technology. Second is excessive utilisation of the technology, which may instil a false sense of naturally extended ability. Subsequently, the author considered and suggested approaches for mitigating both types of dilemmas. The decreased-ability dilemma might be resolved by continuously utilising the technology and designing technology relevant to the degree of human ability. Meanwhile, the excessive-utilisation dilemma might be resolved by regulating the technology use and designing technology that achieves the desired disposition change in users. Finally, the possibility of advancing the existing design approaches to further resolve the dilemmas was discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1393-1402
Number of pages10
JournalProceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED
Volume2019-August
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event22nd International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED 2019 - Delft, Netherlands
Duration: 2019 Aug 52019 Aug 8

Keywords

  • Design method
  • Early design phases
  • Ethics
  • Technology
  • User centred design

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Modelling and Simulation

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