Re: Of forks and computers
maria judith (costlins who-is-at ism.com.br)
Tue, 19 May 1998 20:28:09 -0200
Hi,
this subject is interesting and I am following all the "interactions"
about "forks and computers". I agree with Bill's idea that the real
interaction can happen only between people because of the cognition and
volition. maria judith
Bill Barowy wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> This is great reading, of forks and lasagna. Eva's rememberings and
> lasagna explanations are wonderful. I am sorry I was away and could not
> participate in the moment. Out exploring and missed dinner again! Same
> ol' story.
>
> So I suppose that I am now intra-acting with (using my) my computer (a
> minimal system), which has downloaded a lot of email from you. As I do so,
> I extend this moment of intra-action backwards and forwards in time. It
> becomes, is transformed into, interaction with you. Computer memory is one
> artifact that mediates the transformation. Memory is the transformation.
> In our little XMCA system of systems, Eva is sometimes the agent of the
> transformation.
>
> >
> >PS Bill, I get the feeling that you wanted to reserve "interaction" for
> >between-people situations, is that so?
>
> I think so. There is the need to capture the difference between people and
> not-people, or perhaps in an broader sense, *cognizers/actors/volitizers*,
> and not *...*. Not to apologize for, nor to defend dichotomies, here the
> dichotomy is just a viable construct, with viability that is a function of
> the moment. Lasagna may take part in a system with me, but it lacks
> cognition, volition, intent, and memory in doing so. Lasagna does not
> think, does not make choices, does not remember, does not need. (The
> latter does not mean that a deficiency theory is necessary, but that the
> lack of deficiency in some theories leaves something to be desired. Heh.)
> We might, like E.O. Wilson, claim that we, as humans, are ultimately like
> lasagna and that the differences can be made up with the proper
> combinations and applications of fundamental principles, but then none of
> us, in the private words of a lurker on this list would be "so stupid."
> Or not so arrogant.
>
> Lasagna may also mediate the transformation between intra-action and
> inter-action, across time. As I eat it, I may taste the choices made by
> the chef, and savor the cheese, sauces, and pasta that humans and machines
> processed long ago. It seems that the intra-/inter- act distinction is
> what happens when we redefine the boundaries of the system we focus on.
> Does this make sense? Is this what is meant by boundary crossing?
>
> Bill Barowy, Associate Professor
> Technology in Education
> Lesley College, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-2790
> Phone: 617-349-8168 / Fax: 617-349-8169
> _______________________
> "One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself
> and watch yourself softly become the author of something beautiful."
> [Norman Maclean in "A river runs through it."]