Computer interfaces: From communication to mind-prosthesis metaphor

This paper explores underlying metaphors about the process of working with computers and computer interfaces. First, we identify the most widespread implicit metaphor, which we claim to be the conduit metaphor. While interacting with a computer, users are implicitly put in a conversational situation, unlike the situation they find themselves in when interacting with most other artifacts. We advance arguments for this thesis taken from the history of computers, computer interfaces, and their current design. Nowadays we are witnessing a shift from this, all pervasive metaphor towards another emerging metaphor where computers are beginning gradually to be perceived as an augmentation, or prosthesis for the perceptive and cognitive capabilities. In this, transition phase, we can see people advocating views where the two metaphors are mixed. Then, we put forward the claim that the prosthesis metaphor is far more fruitful, productive, and explicative and we indicate some of the practical implications of adopting this metaphor.