A new and interesting article at Boxes and Arrows by Nathan Shedroff, discusses Computer Human Values.
Computers have enabled cultures and individuals to express themselves in new and unexpected ways, and have enabled businesses to transform how, where, when and even what business they do. However, this rosy outlook has come at a proce. Computers have become more frustrating to use. In fact, the more sophisticated the use, the application, the interface, and the experience, the more important it is for computers and other digital devices to integrate fluidly into our already-established lives without requireing us to respond to technological needs. Also, the wider-spread these devices, the more socially-agile they need to be in order to be accepted.
According to research by Cliff Naas and Byron Reeves, people treat computers like people (yes, the rest of us yell at our computer screens, too). While we don't expect 'intelligence,' we do expect actions to be consistent with human values.
Therefore,