The Element of Abstraction in Embodiment
The function of the interface is abstraction. A push button on the panel of the pilot is an
abstraction of a function that controls the behaviour of the airplane, the
motors, specific wings and their parts etc.
The button isolates all that is done behind it. The pilot does not have to think and manage
how the flaps will be moved mechanically when he pushes the related
button. The button here is the device
interface that becomes absorbed in the body schema of the pilot, or embodied by
the pilot.
Similarly, the verbal command related to a specific process serves
as an abstraction of it. The pilot
switches the related buttons by heart(automatically) when he decides or hears
the related key words. He does not think
or try to remember which buttons to switch.
It has been coded in his subconscious long before during the trainings
he has taken.
Abstraction is a ubiquitious process in the structure of nature and the
human mind. Similarities of different
things come together and form a new group on these common
aspects. Abstraction eases cognition and
sharpens/speeds up understanding.
(Children who learn abstraction early become very successful in life).
Abstractions may change according to the point of view. For ex. Power failure, mechanical
failure... Same elements may be grouped
differently and hence may have multiple abstractions.
The use of standard phrases in aviation and air traffic control is
required because phrases serve as keywords for the abstraction of many words
and sentences to express. Abstraction not
only simplifies and speeds up communication but also facilitates embodiment of
the aircraft in the body of the pilot.
To stop the embodiment process, one has to feel the interface
again. Remebering the interface reduces
and stops the embodiment. This can be observed
when at the end of ground maneuvering/parking pilots begin to
do small talk btw each other.
This increases the awareness of speaking which is the command interface
that triggers the automatic processes in their subconsciouses. Switching from standard phrases to normal
speech reduces the aircraft’s embodiment to the pilot.
REFERENCES:
[1]Carolien HERMANS, 2002, Embodiment: the flesh and bones of my
body.
“A body schema works on a
subconscious level. It registers shape
and posture of the body(without coming to awareness). It makes a record of the momentary relative
disposition of one’s own body
parts”. “Prothestic devices can be
absorbed in the body schema. Just as a
hammer in the carpenter’s hand is incorporated into his body schema, any
virtual body part or interface(keyboard, mouse, joystick) can become part of
the schema in a temporary or longlasting way…”
[3] Motions|June 21st, 2016; What Is The Subconscious Mind?
Body border
loss in embodiment
