The Human Factor: Revolutionizing the Way People Live with Technology

by Kim J. Vicente

Book Overview

In this incessantly readable, groundbreaking work, Vincente makes vividly clear how we can bridge the widening gap between people and technology. He investigates every level of human activity - from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415978912
• ISBN13: 9780415978910
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Overview for Anyone Dealing with Technology

Dr. Vicente presents the interaction of technology and people in a clear, concise, and easy to read way. As a manager and engineer in the manufacturing world, The Human Factor gave me ample case studies of complex issues (some of which, like 3-Mile Island, are explored in other texts I have read as well) in context with practical issues in either everyday life or with specific application. How we interact with our stove burners or make sure a Ziploc bag is closed both were used to explore the human approach to technology and how to improve it. The Human Factor was recommended to me by our corporate safety officer and I think that is probably the real value of this text. It is perfect for safety and human factors professionals to either recommend or use in a book study with those who are involved but are not dedicated to reading original research in the area. For the majority of people, technical, leaders, or both, who need to deal with the human interaction with technology, this is a great book.

A scientific and social assessment of modern technology

Modern technology may ably supply the equipment and new convenience features people desire, but lacks the ability to consider or correct human error in using it. Kim Vicente argues for the need for technology that works easily for its users in his The Human Factor: Revolutionizing The Way People Live With Technology, which goes beyond argument to pint out how to bridge the widening gap between people and technology. From hand-eye coordination to matching complex human systems to easier consumer products, this provides both a scientific and social assessment of modern technology.

Making technology safe for humans

Ever since Charlie Chaplin parodied automation in Modern Times, we have known what happens when we ignore the human factor in technology, but we continue to produce dangerous and unusable devices. Dr Vicente, a professor of human factors engineering, claims that we need to define technology in much broader terms than we usually do in order to avoid a "Cyclopean fixation on either mechanistic or humanistic world views." We need, in fact, to consider the entire legal, psychological, organizational and political environment in which technology is embedded. The author calls this approach Human-tech.Consider that one of the reasons that hospitals continue to kill patients, even after badly designed equipment is identified, is that medical personnel dare not openly admit error, because of the severe career and legal consequences. This type of problem goes beyond traditional technical design issues of usability or ergonomics. Ultimately, Dr Vicente is optimistic that we can and will resolve these problems. He offers the commercial airline industry as an example. In 2001, despite the horrendous murders on September 11th, the total number of major airline crashes was fewer than in any year since World War II. What the aviation industry did for commercial flights, we can do for our healthcare system, airport security, or anything we want to turn our hand to.

An Eye Opening and Common Sense Approach to Technology

We're ready for the Human-tech revolution! This book is extremely relevant today and attacks the issue of techology throwing our lives into chaos with common sense. I thought the book was a great read - like having a conversation with the author and you learn something without feeling like the message is being shoved down your throat. The examples given to outline good designs versus bad designs were well thought out. I think Vicente's idea of designing products with a user in mind is revolutionary. It is only a matter of time before engineers and designers catch on to this idea.. and just think of the consequences - we (the consumers) would no longer feel like "technological idiots".

so you say you want a revolution......

This book describes all the frustrations I've ever had with technology that is supposed to improve my work and my life. Vicente examines the problem not only with an engineer's understanding of design but also with a sharp eye on human nature. From photocopiers to nuclear power plants, he presents an intelligent, engaging and entertaining argument for changing our view of the world. However, unlike most general books in this area, he does more than raise questions-he offers a way forward, a framework for making humans the centre of design-a revolutionary concept! This is a book everyone should read.