The Role of Interface in
Embodiment
“Prothestic devices stretch the boundaries of the body. They create a continuity beyond the limits
of the skin[1].”
The devices that are used by large system controllers (pilots,
captains, energy production controllers etc.)
feel as if the controlled system is a continuation of their
bodies. This means they do not feel
their hands specificly but they feel the movement of the system, namely the
maneuvering/turning airplane, ship or work machine.
Embodiment reduces the boundary between the system and the
controller as described above. This
boundary is the interface device(for ex. keyboard, mouse, joystick). When the feeling of embodiment increases the
perception of the interface namely, the hand and the feeling of touching to the
interface device decreases and vice versa.
Aviation, Air Traffic Control, any type of navigation is a
performance art, partially at least. An
instrument being performed by a performer is a typical case of embodiment. The instrument becomes a part of the
performer’s body schema[1].
A guitar gets embodied by its player. The performer squeezes a string on the finger
board with his left hand and plugs that string with his right hand. The instrument is designed so that specific
locations on specific strings produces various pitches. When playing a well exercised music piece the
performer does not think of ‘how to’ or ‘where to’ push and plug on the
guitar. It is automatic. When learning the instrument in the early
days, the performer needs to look at his left hand to remember the
positions. After a while the automatic
processes get established and he stops looking at what his hand does. The instrument has got embodied with the
performer. The performer feels as if the
guitar is part of his hands.
Similarly, a pilot has to switch a number of switches among many
availables on his control panels. These
switches control the behaviour of the airplane, the motors, specific wings and
their parts etc. He has no time to
search the switches among all the others.
It is automatic. He knows them by
his subconscious. "Subconscious
defines all reactions and automatic actions we can become aware of if we think
about them.[3]“ The control of the airplane, hence the airplane itself has
become part of the pilot’s body. Airplane
is embodied by 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?
