Do Computers Write on Electric Screens?

Abstract

How do we, humans, communicate with computers, or computational machines? What are the activities do humans and machines share, what are the meeting points between the two? Eventually, how can we build concepts of these meeting points that leaves space for the proper mode of existence of both humans and machines, without subduing one to the other? Computers are machines that operates on a scale different from humans: the calculus done by machines is too fast and untangible for humans. This is why computers activities has to be textualized, put into a form that can be understand for humans. For instance into a graphical interface, or a command line. More generally, this article tackles the problem of interface between humans and machines, the way the relation between humans and machines has been conceptualized. It is inspired both by philosophy of the modes of existence – since computers are machines with their own mode of existence – and semiotics, since computers activities have to be converted in some sort of signs that can be read by humans.

Keywords

• semiotics
• digital media
• writing
• anthropocentrism
• Communication Technology and New Media
• Epistemology