Being Analog

Humans are analog beings. If we weren't than we wouldn't have "maybe" in our vocabulary.

In the reading "Being Analog" the author talks about how machines and humans don't mix because the former is digital while the latter is analog. "The dilemma facing us is the horrible mismatch between requirements of these human-built machines and human capabilities." Is it really bad though? Do we want machines to be analog just like us? What's the point?! We need machines to do jobs that either don't require much analysis or require so much analysis that if a human was performing the task it would take significantly longer. Sounds like a good plan to me!

The author discussed Frederick Taylor and the effects his principles of scientific management had on people. Taylor's theory was that every procedure can be broken down to basic tasks that do not require thinking and therefore can be performed robotically and efficiently. The author claimed that not requiring people to think is a big price to pay in the name of efficiency. Bring in the machines! If a task does not require thought than why not have people build a machine that does it? Everybody wins.

Machines were created to make lives easier. (Though I sometimes wonder if that's true when my computer acts up or when my internet is down and I'm totally paralyzed and not able to work.) They're taking over the world. I don't think there's anything we can do to stop it. (Do we even want to?) So, as such, we as designers must accommodate these circumstances. We can't deny that electronic communication is the way of the world. So when designing we must take that into consideration and adjust our design appropriately. If we do not than we will be out of a job.