New Scientist 1999; 163(2199): 56
First posted 20.2.02
I read with interest your report of a survey into the work experiences of 1500 British men. Working harder to gain a better lifestyle only to discover you are a trapped wage slave with no life at all is just one of the many perverse and perplexing "revenge effects" of our technological age. The myth that computers would allow us almost unlimited leisure time was closely related to the great myth of the paperless office. The reality is that thanks to ubiquitous fax machines, photocopiers and computer printers, offices actually consume more paper now than when they operated on a purely paper-only system. Other modern revenge effects include high-tech sports safety equipment that can actually increase injury, low tar cigarettes that can make you smoke more and antibiotic use that can breed new and more virulent bacteria. Technology's revenge
The design of a piece of technology can more easily be changed than the psychology of its users - therefore the answer lies in adapting technology to people and not expecting people to adapt to technology. Despite modern ergonomics and the simplicity of this idea, little has been achieved along these lines in many fields of human endeavour - particularly medicine. Taking into account the psychology of users and anticipating possible revenge effects based on problems of the past can go a long way to attaining technological solutions which are more subtle, lasting and compatible with our everyday lives.
Craig Webster
References
- "Slaves to the status" New Scientist 1999; 163(2194): 53.