Understanding Human-Machine Symbiosis

In a time where technology often seems to be an extension of our bodies, it is of great importance that we as designers understand what happens between the human and the machine, as well as what comes of it. To understand the relationship, or the “in between”, we must first consider the role each character plays. In the case of the “human” and “machine”, J.C.R. Licklider argues in Man-Computer Symbiosis (1960) that the computer acts as a facilitator for processing, while man dictates according to a goal he or she sets.

As data becomes an increasingly valuable resource, it can feel frightening to consider that machines may dominate humanity. However, that data is being collected from humans, albeit by the masses. It is important to consider not only our own input into the system, but human-roles in it, at least from our perspective.

For example, in the case of social media, platforms have provided us with avenues to interact with people at a scale and speed that is greater than that which anyone could imagine. Here, the technology (the social media platform) facilitiates the human’s (a consumer) end-goal of connecting with others from a distance that was previously infeasible. However, if we take a similar situation from a different perspective, such as those who create the social media platform and benefit from the exploitation of data, the end-result may not look as rosy.

The system is greater than the relationship between the consumer and machine, and yet, we are quick to blame technology for being “too addictive” or exploitative. Ultimately, the machine is playing its part as intended: as a facilitator of processes. We must then recognize that it is those who produce or use technology with malicious intent that taints the digital experience, and perhaps it is just the speed and scale at which it is capable of running that we can see how great of an impact “intent” can have.