An empirical test of ideas proposed by Martin Heidegger shows the great
German philosopher to be correct: Everyday tools really do become part of
ourselves.
The findings come from a deceptively simple study of people using a
computer mouse rigged to malfunction. The resulting disruption in attention
wasn’t superficial. It seemingly extended to the very roots of
cognition.
“The person and the various parts of their brain and the mouse and the
monitor are so tightly intertwined that they're just one thing,” said
Anthony Chemero, a cognitive scientist at Franklin & Marshall College.
“The tool isn't separate from you. It's part of you.”
Your
Computer Really Is a Part of You | Wired Science | Wired.com
More food for thought in the tool vs.
crutch debate …
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