Laurel - Computers as Theatre

This is a theater generated completely by a computer.

Computers as Theater was a fantastic read. I found it incredibly interesting and engaging. As an actor in several theatrical and musical productions it was an interesting metaphor to examine something that is often thought as a technical science through the lens of Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and the Lion King. Obviously this is a stretch, however the metaphor of a stage, actors, and other agents working together to define how one should approach human-computer interaction is a viable consideration. In the introduction to her book, the author discusses both direct-manipulation systems and direct engagement systems. The primary difference between the two is first interacting with a representation of an object (such as desktop icons) vs. the latter which is an engagement with applications whose design is simultaneously constructed with the design of the interface. This idea of direct engagement opens the possibility for ascetic considerations to enter the development conversation much early. Under this system the program or application (code) is creating alongside the interface. Thus it integrates usability into the architectural structure of programs. As the author stated before, as a theater student, she felt that she had no place working with computers in a design capacity, really in any capacity other than a user. I think this concept of usability in computer-human interaction is incredible important in the development of mobile computing technology. No longer are people sitting in front of a computer interacting with a desktop in the traditional sense of direct manipulation. Rather mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and others create an experience of engagement with content rather than manipulating buttons and mouse clicks in order to complete a task. In addition to mobile operating systems the concept of a touch-screen has also drastically changed the way we interact with computer technology. Mobile computing, again such as iPhone, Droid, and other devices, has drastically changed the way we interact with content. Apple has created a new system called gestures for both their mobile technology and desktop computers. Gestures is a way that a user engages with content. The idea is an effort for a user to interact how he/she naturally sees fit in any given scenario. For example when viewing content in a web browser you can push, pull, swipe, pinch, and spread content the way you see fit. The purpose of these examples is to show that method of interaction allows a user (audience member) to engage with the content and control it in real time, rather than manipulating representations of content/objects.